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Opening times

By appointment 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays to Thursdays.

Type of place
Education
Location
London Zoo
Status
Open
Additional costs

Additional costs may apply, advance booking is recommended!

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.

 

 

ZSL Prince Philip Zoological Library & Archives

ZSL's Prince Philip Zoological Library & Archives contains a unique collection of resources on zoology and animal conservation.

We are welcoming a limited number of visitors by appointment only. ZSL Library is open Tuesday to Thursday. Opening hours are from 10.30am-5pm.

Our Extended Christmas Closure - our last day open in 2024 will be Thursday 19th December. We will be open again on Tuesday 4th February 2025.

Founded in 1826, ZSL's Prince Philip Zoological Library & Archives is one of the major zoological libraries in the world and is open to all. For access details please see 'Who can use the Library?'

ZSL Library & Archives contains a wide range of books and journals on all types of animals and their conservation. It has:

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. We can then arrange to retrieve material ready for your visit.

Shop the ZSL Heritage Prints Collection 

Online Library & Archive Catalogues

Both our online library and our archive catalogues are available 24/7.

The ZSL Library Catalogue contains links to relevant online resources as well as listing our holdings - journals, books and art works.

Use our new ZSL Archives catalogue and website to search our institutional archives and to find out more about ZSL's history.

Search our Library Catalogue

Search our Archives Catalogue

Follow us on X @ZSLLibrary

 

 

Services to ZSL students and ZSL Fellows

Fellows and Student Fellows are welcome to borrow books from the Library. Take a look at the online catalogue in advance to browse our collections.

Renewals

If you have borrowed books from us already, we will automatically renew the loan period.

Returns

If you wish to return any borrowed items and do not wish to make an appointment to visit ZSL Library & Archives, please put them in an envelope or bag and hand in at the East Service Gate which is located opposite the ZSL Main Offices, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY. Please mark the envelope/bag for the attention of ZSL Library. 

Returned items can be left at the East Service Gate 10am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday only.

Postal Loans

If you are unable to visit, books can be posted to you via ‘Special Delivery’, costs vary depending on the size of book, from £8 to £25. Please check our online catalogue for the book you wish to borrow then email library@zsl.org with the details.

Scan and Send

Scans for non-commercial use can be made from printed items held in ZSL Library, including book chapters and journal articles, in compliance with copyright regulations.

See details on our document supply and copying services

 

 

Uncovering our history

The ZSL Library and Archives team is keen to uncover the lived stories of underrepresented groups and individuals who may have contributed to ZSL's history.  We encourage researchers who would like to learn more, and welcome suggestions for avenues we can explore further.

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