Update: Special Collections Reading Room to extend opening hours

From 18 May 2021 we will be extending our opening hours to include Tuesdays for general access to collections through the Special Collections Service reading room. Capacity will remain limited to enable social distancing.

We will continue to provide alternative access through our digital access to collections service.

If you would like to make a reading room booking, please ensure that you read the updated reading room guidance before contacting us as we have made a number of changes to our service.

Please note that we can only accept bookings in advance, and that our reading room is operating with reduced opening hours:

Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-4.00pm (we will close for an hour at lunch).

We will stagger the arrival times of researchers during the first 30 minutes of opening and we will inform you of your arrival slot. We will need to close promptly at the end of each session. Please allow time at the end of each session to collect your belongings. The reading room will not be accessible between 12.30 and 1.30pm.

Entry to the reading room will continue to be via the MERL reception.