Library Help

Visiting UCL Special Collections

Everyone can access UCL Special Collections digitally or in person. Our collections of rare, unique and historic archives & books cover themes including history of UCL, education, arts and sciences.

• UCL Special Collections can be accessed in one of our three reading rooms.
• The reading room you need to visit will depend on the collection(s) you would like to access. Full information regarding locations, opening hours and how to book an appointment can be found on the Visiting Us page.
• You have to make an appointment to view material held in our Special Collections in advance of a visit. 
• Please do not make any travel or accommodation arrangements until we have confirmed your appointment.
• Photography is allowed in accordance with copyright legislation. The ‘Copies for Research Purposes’ form must be completed and signed. Flash photography is not allowed.
• Please read the guidelines for using a UCL Special Collections Reading Room

Digital Collections

• Some material has also been digitised and is available in our Digital Collections, but please note this is only a small sample of what we hold.
• Further material is accessible on external sites including JSTOR and the Internet Archive.
• For information about the reproduction and publishing of digital images, please read this guide.
• For any questions not covered by the guide, please email: spec.coll@ucl.ac.uk

Searching and browsing physical collections

Our subject guides are a good starting place to learn more about the collections we hold.

• Rare Books and Printed Materials, including IOE collections, are listed on Explore. However, not all the collections are fully catalogued online.
• See the collection descriptions in the A-Z list for current information on the cataloguing status and the availability of handlists.
• See also the A-Z of IOE Rare Books Collection for Institute of Education collections.

Archives and manuscripts, including UCL’s institutional archive, are listed on Explore, and on the Archive Catalogue. However not all our collections are fully catalogued. A video guide is available with information on how to search the Archive Catalogue.

To refine your search results when using Explore, select Archives catalogue, from the drop down list to the right of the search box.