About the library

The Queen Mary Library operates across three sites, with holdings approaching half a million volumes. The Mile End Library is the largest site and provides services for all Schools. The other libraries are the Whitechapel Library (covers medicine and dentistry) and the West Smithfield Library (covers medicine).

The current Mile End Library was built in the late 1980s and opened by the Queen in 1988. It was designed by Colin St John Wilson, who also designed the British Library. Following the merger with Westfield College in 1989 the College operated a library on two sites; the library of the former Westfield College in Hampstead, and the Mile End Library. In 1992, following a building extension, the library in Hampstead was closed and all stock moved and integrated on the Mile End site.

The West Smithfield Library was made available to readers in 1880; it was originally part of St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College. The Whitechapel Library is in the Church of St Augustine with St Philip (grade II* listed building), and was the former library of the London Hospital Medical College. In 1992 the London Hospital joined with St Barts to become Barts and the London NHS Trust. In 1995, St Barts and the London Medical Colleges merged with Queen Mary College.

The Mile End Library houses the Queen Mary Archives, which hold institutional and personal archives, dating from the 17th century to the present day. Among its varied collections, the Archives hold: the institutional records of Queen Mary and Westfield College 1882 to present; private papers of individuals, and the records of several organizations, dating from the 18th century to the 1990s; rare prints dating from 17th century to the 1960s.

Queen Mary, University of London also contributes to the Archives Hub. To browse descriptions of their archive materials, visit their Archives Hub information page.

British Library inter-library loan codes

Library code

LO/U12

Policy code

G2

For an explanation of these codes, and for more information on arranging inter-library loans, see the inter-library loans page on the British Library website.

Accessing materials

Can I see live document availability on Library Hub Discover? No.

Can I obtain items via inter-library loan? Yes - subject to the library's local lending policy. You must request an inter-library loan via a library of which you are a member. Talk to your own library staff for advice on ordering an item.

Can I visit the library to view materials? Yes - see the library's website for access details. If you wish to visit it is advisable to contact the library in advance, to ensure that they can accommodate you and that the material you need will be available.

Location

Browse all of Queen Mary, University of London records in Library Hub Discover here.