The Reform Club’s Library was established in 1841 under the guidance of Sir Anthony Panizzi. It now comprises more than 85,000 volumes. The collection has been built up through regular purchases and through donations from members, particularly of their own published works. The Library is particularly strong in 19th century English literature, topography, political biography, British history of the last two hundred years, travel, architecture and art.
The Reform Club preserves a substantial Archive that documents the Club's long history. It includes minute books, papers, documents, architectural drawings, correspondence, etc. The Archive also holds a substantial and growing collection of pictures, prints, and cartoons, as well as photographs and portraits of former Club members and members of staff.
Together with an extensive and uniquely comprehensive collection of commemorative ceramics, medals, and other artefacts that illustrate political campaigns for electoral and other reform, from the early 19th century on, the Archive constitutes a historical resource that is of national importance.
The Library is administered by a full-time professional Librarian under the direction of the Library Committee. The Librarian is available to answer members' bibliographical enquiries and to lend assistance with research.
The catalogue’s full search by subject field and login facility will be available soon. In the interim please contact the Librarian below with details of any books you’d like to borrow.
You will find the Library an ideal resource for private study and scholarly research. The Study Room provides a pleasant haven for uninterrupted work. Material not immediately available from the Library's considerable resources can usually be obtained free of charge, via the Librarian, from the London Library. The London Library is the country’s largest private library with over 1 million books, and a host of online resources which the Club’s Librarian can access for you.
The Archive collection has been built up over many years through careful acquisitions and through generous donations from Club members and from members of the public.
A part of the Archive collection is recorded in three illustrated catalogues, which are published under the general title of: 'Commemorating Reform and Reformers'. A fourth volume in the series is being planned.
The Club Archivist and Librarian may be contacted below. Choose 'Librarian / Archivist' from the subject dropdown bar on our contact page.
The Reform Club's historical records contain a wealth of domestic, social and economic information covering all aspects of the Club's history.
The Club’s Library catalogue is available online. Please contact the Librarian with details of any books would like to borrow.