The Observatory’s Reference Library has recently been re-located to the main lecture hall and common room area. This allows members much better access to the book stock. The room in which the old Library was situated is now rented by the RSPB as an office space for the Warden of their RSPB Worth Marshes Nature Reserve, who for some years has been sharing office space with the Observatory Warden.
The newly located Library comprises over 600 books with an emphasis on the birds of the UK, but also from most other areas of the World and some general ornithological topics. There are also books on a range of other taxa – plants, fungi, insects and even mammals, fish, etc. A revised catalogue of the books now in the collection is being drawn up and this will be published within the next few weeks.
The books are all shelved following the Dewey Decimal system. Members and visitors are encouraged to make use of the books, but please note:
- Books should only be used in the immediate Library area and not taken elsewhere in the Observatory or off-site
- Books must be replaced after use on the shelf in the position they were taken from.
The library in its new location in the lecture hall
Click HERE to view our most recent Library Catalogue
In addition to the Library books, the observatory has an Archive of about 600 non-book items – documents, maps, photographs and artwork relating to the Observatory’s past history. The Archive is stored elsewhere on the Observatory premises and a catalogue of the items in the collection is almost complete. It can be viewed below:
Non-book archive items as at 150826
For any enquiries, or if you would like more information about the Library or Archive, please contact Ken Chapman