Blue-crowned Parakeets, Aratinga acuticauda. There are probably four species of parakeet that have established populations in the south of England, probably descendants from accidental or deliberate releases of captive birds.

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Library and Information Services

Library and Information Services (LIS) is a Museum department that includes our biological and earth sciences library and archives. The Library is comprised of over a million books, with the oldest dating from 1469, as well as 25,000 periodical titles (one third current) and over half a million artworks. It has extensive map, manuscript and photographic collections.

The Natural History Museum has the world’s richest and most comprehensive resource for the current and historical literature on natural history-related subjects. We will maintain this position by:

  • Developing, managing and preserving the Library and Archives collections and using them to provide a customer-focussed service.
  • Increasing the awareness and appreciation of LIS resources by collaboration with a range of local, national and international partners.
  • Preserving the historical record of the Museum’s business as the official repository of the Museum Archives and Modern Records.
  • Applying information and communication technology and data management to improve the delivery and quality of the Museum’s services.

The Museum has five specialist libraries, each supporting the work of the scientific departments, as well as a library in the Natural History Museum at Tring, which specialises in ornithology.

  • Book plates from notebooks by Henry W Bates (1825-1892)
    Library and Archives

    Information on what the Museum Library and Archives can offer, how to make enquiries, opening times and information on each of the individual libraries.

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