The British Library is the national library with its main collections and Reading Rooms near Euston Station in London: see the "Join" pages for information about membership.
The National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh is Scotland's largest library and the world centre for the study of Scotland and the Scots.
The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth holds over over 6.5 million books and periodicals, and the largest collections of archives, portraits, maps and photographic images in Wales.
The National Library of Ireland is in Dublin.
The National Art Library is located in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London
Public Libraries are open to everyone and basic services are free. Many of the largest ones such as The Library of Birmingham or Manchester Central Library hold vast collections of books and archives on a huge range of topics and give access to online resources and databases. Some library services run specialist Music, Law, or Business Libraries and some have merged with Advice Centres. Although most public libraries have suffered from cutbacks in funding over recent years they are still an amazing source of resources and advice, so why not check out what your local library service can offer?
A handful of specialist and historic libraries have survived in towns and cities across the country ranging from the Birmingham and Midland Institute to The London Library . Find out more about these hidden gems at The Independent Libraries Association
Independent libraries occupy a unique place in the world’s cultural life. Rather than seeing independent libraries as niche or elitist, the Financial Times described the UK’s independent libraries as
‘havens of books, conversation and cultural events with histories stretching back centuries.’
Website of The Independent Libraries Association