SENATE HOUSE LIBRARY

Senate House Library is one of the UK’s largest academic libraries focused on the arts, humanities, and social sciences with a wealth of material from the medieval period to the modern age. It cares for over 2 million books, 50 special collections and 1,800 archival collections which have been developed since the 1870s. From over 50,000 pamphlets on 19th and 20th century radical political movements to treasures such as Shakespeare’s First Folios, the Terry Pratchett Archive and the Harry Price Library of Magical Literature, Senate House Library is one of London’s hidden cultural gems. Located in Bloomsbury (just behind the British Museum) within the iconic Art Deco Grade II listed Senate House, formerly the Ministry of Information during WWII, it is steeped in history. It is most famous for being George Orwell’s inspiration for the Ministry of Truth in his famous dystopian novel 1984. As a member you can view items in the collection but there are also regular free exhibitions and events open to the public. The current exhibition and events season is Queer Between The Covers which explores over 250 years of queer literature (15 January-16 June 2018) and the next season will be Rights for Women – London’s Pioneers of Progress (16 July – 15 December 2018).

MEMBERSHIP

Public Membership: £5 per day, £70 for 3 months. Exhibitions are FREE.

OPENING TIMES

Mon - Thu 09.00 – 20.45 Friday 09.00 – 18.15 Saturday 09.45 – 17.15