Which collection are you looking for?

The A-Z provides an extensive list of all the Special Collections held at MERL and may assist you in narrowing down your search.

The Reading Room

The Museum of English Rural Life library, archive and Special Collections can be examined in the Reading Room.

Visiting the MERL Open Access Library does not require pre-booking; however, if you require desk space for extended research, booking is advisable.

To avoid disappointment, please book archive and Special Collections visits a week in advance – collections from the off-site store are made once a week.

Priority is given to visitors accessing the collections – if you only require quiet study space, please ask on the day about availability.

Opening times

Tuesday to Friday

9.30am-4.30pm

By appointment

We remain open over lunchtime (1-2pm), however, we cannot retrieve extra material from the store during this hour.

We close promptly at the end of each session – please allow time to pack up.

Booking

All visitors accessing material from the collections need to register pre-first visit and produce photo ID on arrival (pre-existing researchers may be required to re-register).

Research desk space is limited – please book your visit to the Reading Room a minimum of a week in advance.

All researchers are required to register prior to their first visit and produce photo ID on arrival – please book space for each researcher in your party.  

To reserve a place, email specialcollections@reading.ac.uk, providing:

    • The preferred date and time you would like to visit – please wait for confirmation before making plans to travel
    • Specific material requests, using the reference code, as detailed on the entry in our on-line catalogue

We will assess your requests and advise you on availability – please only visit the Reading Room if we have confirmed your visit.

Open Access items (identified in the status field) do not need to be pre-ordered; however, pre-booking of desk space is advisable. Reference codes provided on the library catalogue system will identify location and we can provide an Open Access map if you require guidance.

Why do I have to pre-order material?

An image showing numerous rows of roller racking disappearing into the distance. A blue ladder at the far end is dwarfed by the height of the racks.
The highest roller racking shelves of our off-site store are accessed via archive platform ladders or by using specialist equipment.

A tall metal bookshelf, with 8 bays, each with 10 shelves full of books, towers towards an industrial roof.
Bookshelves at our off-site store hold approximately 3000 books per row. We hold over 100,000 books across our various stores.

An image showing roller racking on either side housing one of the Special Collections, stored on 108 shelves, in 864 boxes.
One of the Special Collections stored on site, on two of approximately 100 rows of roller racking. Each box can contain hundreds of documents.

Please provide specific reference codes of the material you wish to examine:

  • MERL Library and Special Collections are housed in multiple store rooms, on 3.5km of roller racking, and in 2 buildings, one of which is off-site
  • Some collections are stored in hundreds of boxes, containing thousands of documents
  • Please provide your reference codes a minimum of a week before your booking – we collect off-site material only once a week

Copying Services

The photocopier is not available to researchers.

Photocopies or PDF scans of material can be ordered through our copying service. Please provide the reference codes of the specific material of interest. This service can take up to 20 working days but is often completed much faster.

Digital photography using your own equipment is permitted subject to conditions. 

Terms & conditions and prices for scanning and photography permits can be found on our copying services page.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

What can I bring into the Reading Room?

Where can I leave my belongings?

On arrival, we will inform you of your assigned numbered locker and desk.

Do I need to wear gloves when handling collections?

Unless directed otherwise, clean, dry hands are sufficient for handling collections.

If the collection you are examining requires special handling, we will advise you and supply any materials required.

Handling guides are available in the Reading Room and as PDF files below:

Handling loose documents and files

Handling books and bound volumes

MERL Handling photographic material

MERL Handling rolled maps and plans  

Is there Wi-Fi?

Eduroam is available in the Reading Room. Short term access to The Cloud is available to visitors without access to Eduroam.

Where can I eat lunch?

The MERL Cafe is located near the Museum entrance, we have outside seating if the weather allows – feel free to bring your own lunch. There are additional cafĂ©s on the University of Reading London Road Campus, just a few steps away.  

COVID-19 procedures

  • Please delay your visit if you have tested positive for COVID-19
  • The wearing of a face covering during your visit is optional
  • There is a hand sanitiser station outside the Reading Room