Society of Antiquaries library

One of the major benefits of membership of the Royal Archaeological Institute is that it provides access to the Society of Antiquaries Library in Burlington House, London.

The library is the oldest and most important archaeological research library in the UK. It holds more than 130,000 books dating from the 15th century to the present and over 600 current periodicals, over 1,000 manuscripts and also 40,000 prints and drawings of British topography and antiquities.

Subjects covered include not only British and European archaeology, but also architectural history, decorative arts, heraldry, numismatics and genealogy.

The library of the Royal Archaeological Institute was donated to the Society of Antiquaries and now forms part of the collection. Please note that only full (ordinary) members of the RAI can gain access to the library.

For more information about visting the library, and to search their online catalogue, visit the Society of Antiquaries of London's website.