The Library, which is housed in the Emily Wilding Davison Building, provides access to a wide range of digital resources for your research, most of which can be viewed both on and off campus, alongside an extensive collection of print resources.
Research Support
The Research Support team in the library provides support on research information including copyright, Open Access publishing, Research Data Management and developing your research information profile. The team can also provide advice for meeting research funders’ requirements regarding Open Access.
The Liaison Librarian for the Doctoral School is Eva Garcia Grau. She is a member of the Teaching and Engagement Team, a team of expert librarians who provide support throughout the research information cycle, from searching and accessing information for articles, books and other outputs through to submission of your PhD thesis. Your Teaching and Engagement Librarian can help you develop your research and referencing skills. You can also access Subject Guides, where you can find details of resources and further support available to you through the Library.
Cultural Services
Archives
Research visits to Royal Holloway’s archives and art collections can be booked by appointment.
The archives contain institutional records of Bedford and Royal Holloway Colleges from the 19th century to the present day, alongside personal papers of prominent individuals with links to both institutions as well as special collections, many of which relate to theatre history. The rare book collections can be searched via the LibrarySearch.
You can check our opening times, search our archives and special collections catalogue or contact archives@rhul.ac.uk to book an appointment.
Art collection
There is a rich collection of artworks including oil paintings, works on paper and sculpture from the Royal Holloway and Bedford College collections. By booking an appointment you can study the artworks and access the information in the curatorial files and the growing art reference book collection. During term-time there are open days in our Grade-1 listed Picture Gallery which houses Thomas Holloway's collection of paintings.
Check out the opening times, search the art collection on ArtUK, discover the Picture Gallery open days, or contact artcollections@rhul.ac.uk to book an appointment.
The Culture Team are happy to support students seeking to use the collections in creative or cross-disciplinary projects. If you have an idea, you’re welcome to get in touch.
Access to other libraries
If you cannot find the specific items that you require in the University library, you also have access to the following major research libraries.
Senate House Library
Senate House Library is the central library of the University of London providing access to a range of online resources, print collections, and study space. Membership is free for Royal Holloway students and staff.
You can find out more about accessing Senate House Library on the library’s website.
The British Library
The British Library is the national collection and holds print copies of all books published in the UK and Ireland, alongside an extensive collection from other countries. Before visiting, you can request a Reader Pass online.
SCONUL access scheme
Royal Holloway participates in this national university access scheme which allows students to use other university libraries in the UK.
Find out more about the SCONUL access scheme on the library’s website.
Inter-Library Loans
The Inter-Library Loans service allows you to borrow print books, and online journal articles from other libraries. Details on how the scheme works and how you can submit an Inter-Library Loan request is available on the library’s website.