Visitors are welcome to Special Collections. We are open to students, members of academic staff and independent researchers.

Location and opening hours

Arts and Social Sciences Library, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TJ. Find us on the University Google map.

Please note that Special Collections will be closed between 8th-12th January 2024, for collections management work.

Our normal Reading Room opening times are:

• Monday : Closed for stocktaking in preparation for the new Library 
• Tuesday : 10:00-12:30, 1:30-4:00
• Wednesday : 10:00-12:30, 1:30-4:00
• Thursday : 10:00-12:30, 1:30-4:00
• Friday : 10:00-12:30, 1:30-4:00

Special Collections is closed on weekends, bank holidays and University closure days.

Making an appointment

All material in Special Collections is for reference use only. Please contact us to make an appointment. 

• Tel: +44 (0)117 928 8014 | Internal 88014
• Email: special-collections@bristol.ac.uk

Visitors need to bring with them a recognised form of identification, such as a university library card, a driving licence or passport.

There is no charge for using Special Collections. Researchers must abide by the Reading Room rules (PDF, 74kB). Laptops may be used in the Reading Room.

Copying services

Please ask Special Collections staff about copying services.