Collections Library - Museum of the Home
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Discover
Collections Library
What's available
Access and facilities
Guidelines
Loans
How to book
Booking form
This space is open and accessible for anyone who would like to interact with the archive and collections.
The Collections Library is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am-4pm, by advance appointment only.
What's available
Our collections and archives give a unique insight into what home means to different people through everyday objects and personal stories, all related to the lived domestic experience.
Browse our
collections online
, view our curated collections, or
visit the Museum for inspiration. We’re expanding what’s available online all the time, so if you can’t find what you’re looking for, our curatorial team can help you select objects and archives to view. Our collections include:
Printed books
Manuscript material
Archive material including The Bernard and Geraldine Cotton Archive of Regional Furniture
Photographs
Audio and film oral history interviews
Prints
Wallpaper and textile samples
Ceramics, glass and metalwork
Access and facilities
The Collections Library is accessible via stairs or lift and we have:
Various reading aids
Height-adjustable furniture
Charging points for electronic devices
A copy stand available to all
Please only bring into the Collections Library what you need for your research and leave anything else, including bags and pens, in our dedicated lockers.
Our team will give you a brief introduction to archive and object handling at the start of your visit to keep both you and our collection safe.
Guidelines
Read the full guidelines
Read the full guidelines
You will need to follow
our guidelines
whilst in the Collections Library.
If you wish to photograph any objects or archive materials, please ask a member of staff before doing so. You will need to agree to our Copyright Terms and Conditions and give details of all the items you photograph.
Loans
Loans from our collections
Loans from our collections
Other museums and cultural institutions can borrow from our collections.
How to book
Please fill in the
booking request form
at least 5 working days before you plan to visit. We recommend sending your request two weeks in advance for the best chance of availability during busy times (for example, spring and summer breaks).
We retain the right to defer or decline booking requests for reasons including but not limited to condition, size, or format of materials, or due to limitations in staffing capacity.
In the form, you will be asked about:
Your details
Preferred date and time
Object numbers/shelfmarks/titles of items you would like to see, from our
online collections
Topic and purpose of your research
You can request a maximum of 10 items per visit.
The curatorial team will be in touch to confirm your booking and continue the conversation around your object and archive selections.
Enquire now
Fill out the form to make a Collections Library booking.
Please note that due to staff shortage, it may take longer for us to respond to your booking request.
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