Bishopsgate Library: A Hub for London History and Special Collections
Bishopsgate Library serves as a vital resource for researchers, historians, and the general public. As a free, independent library, it provides an accessible space for learning and discovery, operating every weekday with extended hours on Wednesday nights to accommodate a wider range of visitors.
Beyond its role as a public reading space, the library is renowned for its deep commitment to preserving the social and political fabric of the city. This is most evident in its extensive archives, which safeguard the stories of those who shaped modern society.
Special Collections and Archives
Located beneath the main library, the Special Collections and Archives house a wealth of historical material. These collections focus heavily on the labour movement, free thought, and co-operative movements, providing a comprehensive look at the history of protest and campaigning in London.
Visual Records and Digital Access
The archives contain over 250,000 images, offering a visual timeline of the city's evolution. Key components of this visual archive include:
- The London & Middlesex Archaeological Society (LAMAS) Glass Slide Collection.
- The London Co-operative Society records.
- The London Collection Digital Photographs.
To increase accessibility, the library has shared a portion of the 1977 LAMAS images via Historypin. These records capture early 20th-century social and cultural scenes, alongside iconic landmarks such as statues, churches, buildings, and open spaces.
The Great Diary Project
The library is also the home of the Great Diary Project. Founded by Dr. Irving Finkel, this initiative seeks to preserve personal histories. By 2020, the project had successfully collected more than 9,000 unpublished diaries, offering an intimate glimpse into the daily lives of individuals across different eras.
The Legacy of Charles Goss
The intellectual foundation of the library's special collections was significantly shaped by Charles Goss, who served as librarian from 1897 to 1941. Goss was a proponent of closed access—a system where library materials are kept in a secure area and retrieved by staff—rather than the then-emerging trend of open access libraries.
To ensure that closed access did not hinder research, Goss innovated descriptive cataloguing, a method of providing detailed descriptions of items to help users discover specific materials more efficiently. His contributions established the library's core strengths in humanism, free-thought, and the histories of London and labour. His personal papers are currently preserved within the institute's archive.
Key Facts
- Access: Free and independent; open weekdays (late night Wednesdays).
- Visual Archive: Over 250,000 images, including the LAMAS Glass Slide Collection.
- Diary Collection: Over 9,000 unpublished diaries via the Great Diary Project.
- Historical Focus: Specializes in labour movements, co-operatives, and protest history.
- Key Figure: Charles Goss (Librarian 1897–1941) pioneered descriptive cataloguing for the site.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free |
| Operating Days | Monday to Friday (Late night Wednesday) |
| Image Volume | 250,000+ images |
| Diary Volume | 9,000+ unpublished diaries (as of 2020) |
| Primary Themes | Labour, Free Thought, Co-operatives, London History |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Bishopsgate Library open?
The library is open every weekday, with late-night opening hours available on Wednesdays.
What is the Great Diary Project?
Founded by Dr. Irving Finkel, the Great Diary Project is an initiative hosted by the library that has collected more than 9,000 unpublished diaries to preserve personal historical accounts.
What can be found in the Special Collections and Archives?
The archives contain materials related to the labour movement, co-operative movements, free thought, and the history of campaigning and protest, as well as over 250,000 images.
Who was Charles Goss and why is he important?
Charles Goss was the librarian from 1897 to 1941. He is noted for establishing the library's special collections and innovating descriptive cataloguing to improve the discovery of materials within a closed-access system.
Can I view the library's images online?
Yes, some images from the 1977 LAMAS collection, featuring London landmarks and early 20th-century scenes, have been shared on Historypin.