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.

Our Reading Room and Seminar Room are located on the 1st Floor. 

Our normal Reading Room opening times are:

• Monday : Closed 
• 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.

Please note that Special Collections will be closed for Christmas from the 18th of December to 13th of January. 

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.