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 Archives

About us

The Museum’s Library and Archives hold the world's premier collections of literature and original drawings and manuscripts relating to natural history.

Please check the Library notices before visiting the library to ensure that our services are available. 

Library notices

 

The extensive collection is international in its coverage and one of the foremost resources providing world coverage of the biological and earth sciences for researchers in molecular biology, biodiversity, systematics, taxonomy and the history of science.

The Library is comprised of over one million books with the oldest dating from 1469, 25,000 periodical titles (one third current) and half a million artworks. It also has extensive map, manuscript and photographic collections. The Museum Archives are made up of over one million items relating to the history and work of the Museum.

To review the Library's holdings of historic and current material please refer to the online catalogue. The Library and Archives are available for reference only.

Online Library catalogue

Contact the Library

For general library enquiries use these details to get in touch with us.

Library Information Services
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London
SW7 5BD
UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5460

Email us

More contact details

Library Announcements

Olympics

We will be open during the Olympics (27 July-12 Aug 2012). Our opening hours will be adjusted to take into account travel times around London: Tuesday to Friday 11.00-15.00. Opening hours for the Paralympic games may be similarly adjusted, please await further announcements.

Ongoing closures

The library is closed every Monday until autumn 2012

We are undertaking a major curation project this year but remain open 4 days a week Tuesday - Friday.

Apologies for the inconvenience-this is part of a programme of improvements to create a better library

Library blog

Library services

  • Enquiries and contacts
    Library enquiries and contacts

    Find out when the libraries are open, how to make enquiries and about the services available.

  • Search the library catalogue
    Library catalogue

    The first place to look for material in the Library's collections. Search for books and serials by author, title and/or keyword.

  • View of the Natural History Museum building from Cromwell Road, c1890
    Archives

    The Museum Archives maintain the official records and historical collection of the Natural History Museum. The Archives is also responsible for organising records management across the Museum.

  • Archives strongroom
    Archives catalogue

    The catalogue contains summary descriptions of over 28,000 records from the Museum's organisational archive, including photographs and correspondence.

  • Online exhibitions
    Online exhibitions

    From the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition to art created on the first voyage of scientific discovery.

Print version