Containing over 200,000 items on the history of the borough, the Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre can help you discover the history of your family, the area you live in, local buildings, and more.

Our address

picture of holborn library
Holborn Library in 1960 © Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre

2nd Floor
Holborn Library
32-38 Theobalds Road
London
WC1X 8PA

Our opening hours

Monday: 10am to 6pm
Tuesday: 10am to 6pm
Thursday: 10am to 7pm
Alternate Saturdays: 11am to 5pm

The Saturdays we will be open in 2023 are:

  • January 14 
  • February 11 and 25 
  • March 11 and 25 
  • April 8 and 22 
  • May 6 and 20
  • June 3 and 17
  • July 1, 15 and 29 
  • August 12 and 26
  • September 9 and 23
  • October 7 and 21
  • November 4 and 18 
  • December 2, 16 and 30 

Kindly note we will be closing at 5pm on Tuesday 30 May for a special event. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Kindly note we will be closed all day on Thursday 8 June as a Camden library staff conference is taking place in the building that day. We apologise for any incovenience. 

Consultation of archives is by prior appointment.

To make an appointment or if you have an enquiry, contact the Local Studies and Archives Centre:

Email: localstudies@camden.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 7974 6342

Hidden Voices Project

Volunteers are wanted to participate in an exciting new project to unearth Camden's hidden Black history. Participants will receive training in oral history and historical research.

Full details are here

If you are interested please email the project manager, Emily Momoh - emily.momoh@camdenbbh.org

Our catalogue

Search the catalogue of our collections

Oil paintings online

You can view our oil paintings collection online.

Local history links

Links to websites that contain information on local history and archives