Research Library

The Drawings Archive and Research Library

The Research Library contains Soane’s collection of 30,000 architectural drawings and 10,000 books along with a small working Library of modern books and information files on Soane, Robert Adam and other relevant architects or areas of interest.

The Archive contains Soane’s business and personal papers. Both the Library and Archive are accessible by appointment, Wednesday to Friday 10-1, 2-5. Appointments can occasionally be made for a Saturday afternoon, 2-5 depending on library staff availability. Although we try to accommodate visitors who arrive without appointments if space permits, visitors are strongly encouraged to make appointments a week or two in advance, as research space is very limited and can fill up quickly during busy periods.

The Library is on the first floor and is not accessible to wheelchair users. However, the staff are always happy to bring drawings, books and archives down to the ground floor on a Monday (when the Museum is closed) or (subject to the Museum’s own schedule) at other times, by appointment.

Written (by post or email) and telephone queries about all the Museum’s collections are welcomed.

The collection of 30,000 drawings is available on microfilm.

This is available commercially (many libraries in Europe and America have copies of it) and is also available in the Museum.

Members of staff are happy to advise anyone who cannot call in person to access the microfilm of an appropriate institution where they could see it.

The Concise Catalogue is available on-line here. A catalogue of Soane’s Library of almost 10,000 books and pamphlets is in preparation. Once completed this will also be available on-line.

For information on how you can help ensure the preservation of this unique resource, please visit our Book Conservation page, or, alternatively, our entry on Just Giving for the Eileen Harris Book Conservation Fund.