Visit our collections

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

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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 the week commencing on the 25th of August and will re-open on the 1st of September. 

The Arts and Social Sciences Library is also being refurbished over summer. Special Collections will remain open for pre-booked visitors during this period, however there may be some noise disruptions and short-notice closures and rescheduling required, beginning from the 16th of June until the start of term in September. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this. 

Making an appointment

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

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.