| AdminHistory | The Department arrived in South Kensington in 1881 with only about 1,000 books to support its scientific work. A departmental library was established straightaway, and efforts were made to build up the collection. By 1900 the library contained 9,395 volumes and 5,569 sheets of maps. F A Bather, who was responsible for the library from his arrival at the Museum in 1887 until 1898, had the benefit of the advice of C D Sherborn on the acquisition of books and periodicals. In 1959 the library was able to move into the corridor vacated by the General Library, and remained there until it moved into the new East Wing in 1977. |