Westminster Reference Library

Westminster Reference Library
Map
51°30′35″N 0°07′47″W / 51.50964°N 0.12980°W / 51.50964; -0.12980
LocationSt Martin's Street
London, WC2H
TypePublic Library
Established8 October 1928 (96 years ago) (8 October 1928)
Architect(s)A. N. Prentice
Collection
Items collectedBooks, sheet music, art and manuscripts.
Size89,080 (2022) Edit this on Wikidata
Access and use
Access requirementsOpen to the general public, a Westminster library card is needed to borrow items or use computers.
Other information
Websitehttps://www.westminster.gov.uk/leisure-libraries-and-community/libraries/westminster-reference-library
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameWestminster Reference Library
Designated17 March 2016 (2016-03-17)
Reference no.1430775[1]

Westminster Reference Library is a reference library in St Martin's Street, London, in the City of Westminster, part of the Westminster Libraries network.

History

The library was opened by W. Foxley Norris, dean of Westminster, on 8 October 1928 to replace the former library of the parish of St Martin in the Fields. The Leicester Fields chapel, built by the Huguenots in 1693, was once located on the site. Isaac Newton lived on a house on the site from 1710 to 1727, and later the house was occupied by the novelist Fanny Burney. The cellars of that house are part of the current building. The library was designed by the architect A. N. Prentice for Westminster City Council, and built by Walden & Company of Reading.[2][3] It was modified in the 1950s and 1980s.[3]

Collections

In addition to a general reference collection, the library has specialist fine art and performing arts, business and law collections.

Since 2021 the library has also been home to the Westminster Music Library collection, which was formerly based at Victoria Library. Westminster Music Library is one of the largest public music libraries in the UK, holding a wide range of sheet music, scores, and books about music.[4]

The library also loans telescopes.[5][6]

Events and exhibitions

Outside library opening hours the library has hosted many events and concerts including Telemachus, Sea Power, Mr Hudson and The Library, Polar Bear, Harry Keyworth, Chisara Agor, Piney Gir and The Real Tuesday Weld.[7][8]

The library also has art exhibition spaces.[9]

Interior of a reading room at Westminster Reference Library, 2019.

References

  1. ^ Historic England. "Westminster Reference Library (1430775)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  2. ^ Westminster Reference Library. Internal, over the doors. Westminster Reference Library, London. 8 October 1928. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b Historic England. "Westminster Reference Library (1430775)". National Heritage List for England (plaster). Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Westminster Music Library | Westminster City Council". Westminster Libraries & Archives. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  5. ^ "How to borrow a telescope | Westminster City Council". www.westminster.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  6. ^ "The Library That Lends Out Telescopes". Londonist. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Hip-hop straight outta ... Westminster reference library". the Guardian. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Westminster Reference Library London Gigography, Concert History, Past Events – Songkick". www.songkick.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  9. ^ Bush, Lewis (12 July 2016). "City of Dust at Westminster Reference Library". ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
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