ZSL Library and Archives are open each week on Tuesday to Thursday with a special Saturday opening on 10th May
ZSL Library and Archives are pleased to welcome visits from Fellows, Patrons and Members, please do make an appointment in advance. We are open 10.30am to 5pm on Tuesday to Thursday.
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 artworks, then please email a week before. We can then arrange to retrieve the material ready for your visit.
Once you arrive please press the buzzer or telephone 0207 449 6293 so one of the Library and Archives Team can let you into the building.
Our Reading Room is accessed via two flights of stairs. If you would like to visit 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.
Do browse our books and magazines, make use of our space as well as the comfy sofas and desks!
Saturday 10th May
ZSL Library and Archives will be open for drop-in on Saturday 10th May from 10.30am to 5pm coinciding with an event for women Fellows earlier in the morning.
All Fellows, Patrons and Members are welcome to pop in throughout the day, not just those attending the event. However please do let us know by Wednesday 7 May if you wish to consult archives or historic books as we will need to get these out ready in advance.
There will be a small display in the Reading Room relating to women in zoological art and illustration, while in our lobby there will be a display featuring ZSL ephemera.
ZSL Talks
We will be staying open slightly later on the evenings of in-person ZSL Talks so Fellows, Patrons and Members can call in then without making an appointment. We will be open until 5.45pm on these days. The next talk is on Tuesday 13th May.
Do enjoy our film which will talk you through the key features of the Library:
Latest News
Annual reports in ZSL's Archives Catalogue
ZSL Archives catalogue and website allows you to search our institutional archives and to find out more about ZSL's history. Additionally you can search the full text of our Annual reports 1829 to the present in the Archives catalogue
History Hive and ZSL200
In 2024 we were involved in the launch of History Hive, an appeal for memories and artefacts as we approach ZSL's 200th anniversary. Watch the film of the launch. There is a special display of related items in the Library Lobby featuring items of zoo related ephemera or "zoophemera".
Reading Room refurbishment
With funding from the Charles Hayward Foundation, the Reading Room was refurbished in 2024. We hope you find it a more comfortable and welcoming space.
