The Charles Hayward Foundation recently generously funded redevelopment of the Reading Room to transform it into a welcoming, engaging and more flexible space. We hope you are able to visit us soon to see our transformation.
Extended Christmas closure - our last day open in 2024 will be Thursday 19th December. We will open again on Tuesday 4th February 2025.
Opening Hours
ZSL Library is open Tuesday to Thursday. Opening hours are from 10.30am-5pm, and visits are by appointment only.
ZSL Library & Archives are closed on all public holidays, Mondays, Fridays and at weekends.
Please email library@zsl.org 24 hours in advance to make an appointment to visit so we can reserve a desk for you.
If you plan to consult any of our 'special collections' i.e. Archives, historic books or art works, then please email a week before your visit. We can then arrange to retrieve material ready for your visit.
Access to ZSL Library & Archives
ZSL Library & Archives is open to all, however members of the public must register via a form upon arrival (this can be done on the first day that you plan to use the Library). Please refer to 'who can use the Library' for details.
If you plan to visit ZSL Library with a group of four or more people, please contact us in advance at library@zsl.org, or call us on 0207 449 6293
Library users below the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times when visiting ZSL Library.
Finding ZSL Library & Archives
ZSL Library is in the Zoological Society of London's main office building, situated on the Outer Circle of Regent's Park, approximately 200 yards East of London Zoo's main gate and adjacent to the ZSL Meeting Rooms (orange number 5 on the zoo map).
Library visitors do not have to enter London Zoo to use ZSL Library & Archives.
ZSL Library and Archives Online Catalogues
Search the ZSL Library catalogue ZSL Library Catalogue can be viewed online with details of all serial holdings, most books, art works. It also contains links to relevant online resources.
Use our new ZSL Archives catalogue and website to search our institutional archives and to find out more about ZSL's history.
Visitors may find it useful to view our online catalogues before they visit ZSL Library & Archives in person.
Find out more about the ZSL online Library catalogue
Wireless Internet Access
Free wireless internet access is available in ZSL Library. To connect your laptop to the wireless network you simply need to request a password from the Library desk (the password will be changed on a weekly basis).
Visitor wireless internet access policy
Please ask Library staff for further details when you visit ZSL Library.
Library Information for ZSL Fellows and Members
Are you a Fellow or a Member of ZSL? Find out more about visiting the library and upcoming tours.
Find out more about ZSL memberships
Important points to note
- School students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult while visiting ZSL Library
- Please bring your Fellowship or Membership card with you when you visit or proof of address and photo identification if you are member of the public visiting ZSL Library & Archives for the first time.
- ZSL Library & Archives are accessed via two flights of stairs. If you would like to attend but this would cause you a particular issue, please let us know so we can consider if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make for you.
CONTACT DETAILS
ZSL Library & Archives
The Zoological Society of London
Regent's Park
London NW1 4RY
020 7449 6293
library@zsl.org
Follow us on X @ZSLLibrary