The Library's Reading Room can accommodate up to 15 researchers, and Library staff are always available to assist those using the Library's collections.
Access to the Library's collections is freely available to members of the public, and no appointment is necessary.
However those wishing to use the Library must obtain a Library reader's ticket on their first visit. Details on how to obtain one can be found on the 'Using the Library' page.
Documents are generally produced on demand, however during the lunch time period between 11.45-2pm production of material cannot be guaranteed and will be at the discretion of the Reading Room supervisor. After 4.30pm no material can be fetched for readers. However, it is possible to place advance orders for certain categories of material.
You can if you wish place advance orders for certain categories of material, though on- demand ordering and fetching of material in the Reading Room is always available (though restricted from 11.45am-2pm)
Readers are asked to observe the following guidelines:-
1. Place your advance order by phone, fax, letter, or in person.
2. Provide a telephone number, fax or e-mail address in case we need to contact you urgently about the order.
3. Provide specific references in placing an order (e.g. "Davidson vol. 345" not "material on World War I"). Staff will not normally check indexes on your behalf.
4. Place a limited order (e.g. 5 to 10 items depending on size, etc.).
5. Provide a reasonably specific date for your visit and one in the near future (e.g. "Thursday or Friday next week" would be fine, but not "next month sometime"). Readers coming from abroad may notify the Library farther in advance but we would be glad of confirmation shortly before your visit.
6. If you cannot make your appointment, please contact the Library. We will then be happy to keep the material out for a little longer, but if no notification is received then the order will be reshelved as our secure storage is limited.
7. Please allow the Library staff reasonable notice when placing your order (preferably at least 48 hours in advance).
8. Please be aware that although every effort will be made to produce advance orders we cannot guarantee their immediate production.
9. No reply will be sent concerning advance orders unless a problem arises.
Main categories of material which may be ordered in advance:-
Archbishops' Papers
Assyrian Mission
Bishop Bell Papers
Bishops' Meetings
Canon Douglas Papers
Carte Miscellanee
Church Society/Association
Church Union
Court of Arches*
Convocation Papers
Doctors' Commons
Faculty Office*
Fulham Papers (Bishops of London)*
Incorporated Church Building Society
Lambeth Conference Papers
Papal Documents
Royal Commission on Ecclesiastical Discipline
Sion College printed collections
Temporalities
Vicar General*
*Some of the material in these collections is available on microform stored close to the Reading Room and does not therefore require advance ordering.
Any orders for material from the papers of the Archbishop's Council on Foreign Relations require two days' notice.
Any orders for material from the Church of England Record Centre should be ordered from CERC in the usual way, allowing five days for transfer.
The Reading Room is equipped with power points for readers to use their own portable computers. Wireless internet access is available, free of charge.
Microfilm and microfiche readers and an ultra-violet lamp are available.
Tea and coffee are available in the Library's refreshment area, where readers are also welcome to eat their own sandwiches.
Please contact the Library in advance concerning facilities for the disabled.
Lambeth Palace Library is pleased to answer routine enquiries and offer advice about sources.
We aim to send a response within 10 working days, but this will depend on the nature of the enquiry, staff availability, and the volume of enquiries received.
However if your enquiry requires detailed research, we will advise you to visit the Library, or suggest that you employ a professional researcher.
The Library does not have facilities for self-service photocopying. Photocopies should be ordered from the Reading Room supervisor whilst visiting the Library or requested by post.
On receipt of a completed order form (attached right), an invoice will be sent for postal orders.
For preservation reasons, the Library is not able to photocopy bound manuscript material. This includes a substantial proportion of the archive and manuscript collections, including almost all the Archbishops' papers, Fulham papers (of the Bishop of London) and much of the manuscripts sequence (MSS). However digital photographs of this material can normally be provided.
Some of the Library's collections are available on microfilm or microfiche, and the Library has a self-service reader printer in the Reading Room. Alternatively printouts can be ordered by post.
On receipt of the completed order form (attached right), an invoice will be sent for postal orders.
The Library can provide digital images on CD, by e-mail, or as printouts. This service is not available ‘while you wait' but orders should be made with the supervisor in the Reading Room or by post.
On receipt of the completed order form (attached right), an invoice will be sent.
Several of the Library's collections have been published on microfilm. Please see the World Microfilms website [1] for further details.
Microfilming of other collections can be arranged through Academic Microforms [2].
The Library does not sell colour transparencies, but may loan transparencies of popular images from its collections to named publishers. Conditions and costs of the loan scheme are available by written request.
A loan form should be completed. On receipt of the completed order form, an invoice will be sent. Please contact the Library for further information.
The Bridgeman Art Library [3] holds transparencies of much Library material, and offers a swift service.
Filming in the Library for broadcasting purposes in relation to our collections may be permitted by arrangement. Please contact the Library for further details and costs.
If copies are required for publication rather than for research or private study, a reproduction fee may be payable. The giving of permission implies no responsibility on the Librarian's part for any breach of copyright by the publisher.
Permission to make quotations from Library holdings should be sought in writing from the Library, and a request to publish form should be completed (attached right).
Links:
[1] http://www.microworld.uk.com/
[2] http://www.academicmicroforms.com/
[3] http://www.bridgeman.co.uk/