The library is a public reference library and specialises in subjects relevant to London. It is has greatest depth on topics specifically concerned with the City, but also contains a great deal of material on the other parts of metropolitan London. It is divided into three main sections: printed books; manuscripts; and prints, maps and drawings. The material dates from the 11th century onwards.
There are specialist book collections on the following subjects:
- London and its history
- Local history
- Family history
- English law
- Parliamentary material
- Wine and food
- Clocks and clockmakers (incorprating also the libraries of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and of the Antiquarian Horological Society)
- Business history
- Marine history
- Several smaller collections
The manuscripts include the archives of:
- The Diocese of London
- St Paul's Cathedral
- the City wards and parishes
- around 80 of the City livery companies
However the archives of the City of London itself are administered separately by the Corporation of London Records Office.
The print room is a prime source of historical pictures and maps of Greater London, with very diverse collections of prints, drawings, photographs, press cuttings, maps, theatre bills, and ephemera. A large amount of material has been placed online.
The City of London also runs several conventional public libraries.
External links
- Guildhall Library section of the City of London's site
- Collage database of images from the City of London's collections
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Last updated on Monday July 21, 2008 at 03:35:18 PDT (GMT -0700)
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