Using the Reading Room at The John Rylands Library
Refurbishment summer 2019
The John Rylands Library Special Collections Reading Room
The John Rylands Library Special Collections Reading Room will be refurbished over the summer period 2019. Please see our news section for further information.
Improvements to The John Rylands Library Special Collections Reading Room - Library news
Access information
When you arrive at the Library the staff on the ground-floor Reception Desk will welcome you and direct you to Reader Reception on Level 4 of the modern Entrance Wing.
Please ask staff at Reader Reception on Level 4 about depositing bags as these cannot be taken into the reading room.
You may take personal belongings and items you require for your research (eg. notepads, pencils, laptops and cameras) into the reading room and we can provide a clear plastic bag to hold these.
Special Collections items will be issued to you at the Issue Desk. We will provide you with book-rests, weights and nitrile gloves as appropriate.
We will explain how to use them if you are unsure. We can also provide more specialist equipment including a microscope, fibre-optic light sheet and UV lamp.
Staff are always on hand to help - please don't be afraid to ask! We want your visit to be as enjoyable and productive as possible.
Opening hours
Normal reading room opening hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am - 5pm (until 7pm on Thursdays).
The Reader Service is closed on public holidays.
Find us
The Special Collections Reading Room is on Level 4 of the modern Entrance Wing of The John Rylands Library. Directions to the John Rylands Library are available.
Contact us
For any enquiries relating to our Special Collections, please contact us.