Search our collections
Curious about the natural world? Then you're in the right place.
The Library and Archives has been developing its unparalleled collection of natural history literature, artwork and information resources since the Museum opened in 1881.
Our collections
- Learn more about our collections and collection highlights
Search across our collections
- Discovery layer (all Library and Archive collections)
- Museum Archive catalogue
Electronic resources
- E-journals, scientific databases, e-books (off-site access for Museum staff only)
- Museum Open Access Repository
Our digitised collections
- Digitised special collections
- Citizen Science Project: Digitally Unlocking Nature’s Archive (DUNA)
- Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL)
- Wallace letters online (Firefox or Microsoft Edge browsers needed)
What's new
Citizen Science Project: Digitally Unlocking Nature’s Archive (DUNA)
South Kensington Reading Room open to external researchers
Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00
Opening times and contact
Reading room
- South Kensington: Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00-1600
- Ornithology Library collections at Tring please contact us
Enquiries
- Monday to Friday 10.00-16.00
- Contact us via email
- Phone +44 (0)20 7942 5460
Forthcoming closures (reading room and enquiries)
- Audit closure week 28 February - 4 March
Using our services
Find out how to search the collections, access our resources or visit one of our reading rooms.
About us
Find out how the Library and Archives has evolved to support a broad range of research.
Collection highlights
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The Darwin collection
The Library holds the world’s most comprehensive collection of material published by Charles Darwin, plus artwork and illustrations from the HMS Beagle voyage
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The Museum in the First and Second World Wars
Discover documents and photographs reflecting the Museum’s activities and the experiences of its staff during the World Wars
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Women artists
The Library and Archives hold natural history illustrations and artworks of some of the most accomplished women artists spanning the last four centuries