Our Collections
The library collects special collections and archives which are reflective of Goldsmiths' influential position in the creative and performing arts, and involvement with the culture of the local communities as well as broader society in contemporary Britain.
Major collections include the Women's Art Library/Make, Lift Living Archive, Daphne Oram Archive, Serge Prokofiev archive, the Centre for Russian Music collection, the folk music libraries of Bert Lloyd, Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger and the Goldsmiths textile collection.
We hold workshops with students and local school children and also run an Exhibitions and events programme in the library and at the Constance Howard Gallery (textiles).
There is a supervised study area with listening and viewing facilities. A digital piano is available. Group visits can be accommodated and you are welcome to organise a seminar or workshop using material from the Special Collections.
The Special Collections reading room is also open to post-graduates for quiet study, please call into the office to register.
Please contact us if you would like to visit or find out more.
News
Oramics film by Aura Satz
on show at the Samsung art+ prize exhibition at the BFI Southbank gallery from the 18-29 January, and online via the Financial Times microsite DigitalArts-FT.comDaphne Oram's new vinyl LP
see the Daphne Oram website for news, and the Science Museum blog. The Oramics machine has its own facebook page too.
Finding aids
Our list of special collections and archives gives collection codes and links to catalogues and lists for each collection.To browse a special collection, you can search the Library Catalogue by collection code
To explore our archives, please use the Archives Catalogue
Visiting us
Special Collections and Reserve Stack reading room is in G28 on the ground floor of the Library. Visit us to consult items from special collections, archives, Goldsmiths theses and dissertations and reserve stack books and periodicals. We are open from 9.15am - 5pm Monday to Friday, and until 7pm on Wednesday evenings in term-time (from 20 October 2010). If you are a visitor to Goldsmiths, or if you wish to consult archives, please contact us in advance.
Contact us
Appointments, enquiries, tel. 020 7717 2295, e-mail special.collections@gold.ac.uk.
Dr. Jacqueline Cooke, Research Support Librarian, tel. 020 7919 7166, e-mail j.cooke@gold.ac.uk (Collection development, liaison).
Fiona McKnight, Archivist, Serge Prokofiev Archive, tel. 020 7919 7558, e-mail f.mcknight@gold.ac.uk.
Sem Longhurst, Curator, Constance Howard Gallery (Textiles), tel: +44(0)20 7717 2210 Tuesdays and Thursdays, e-mail s.longhurst@gold.ac.uk
Copying and reproductions
All copying is subject to copyright and other permissions being granted. Staff will ask to see proof of permission.
External researchers may order photocopies or scans from staff, see our Reproduction of images request form and List of charges.
Digital images are available of many items, for educational use. See Finding Aids.
Readers may use their own digital cameras to photograph many items, at the discretion of the supervisor. A photocopier, copystand and lights are available. However please note that no copying of sound or video material is permitted unless specific permission can be shown.
For sale
Cards for sale £1.20 each, £4 set of four, images from our special collections.
Make and Women's Art Magazine back issues are available, and we sell a wide range of materials at the Constance Howard Centre for Textiles. Please enquire.