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Library and Archive

The Collection

The SCRSS library was established in 1924. It is a unique collection of over 35,000 books, journals and pamphlets in English and Russian relating to Russia and the former Soviet Union. It represents an important resource for academic researchers, cultural and commercial organisations, but also caters for those with a general interest in Russia.

The SCRSS library is significant for its uninterrupted coverage of the Soviet period (1917-91) and includes some rare materials from the 1920s-40s, a number of personal collections and the Society's archive records. The holdings are predominantly Soviet and Russian publications. They include particularly important materials on art and architecture, literature, music and dance, social and political history, theatre and cinema. The collection includes a loan library, reference library and archive.

Loan Library

The loan library includes a range of fiction and non-fiction - from Russian and Soviet literary classics to biography, the arts, history and politics. Most publications are in Russian but the literature collection includes English translations and there are a number of English-language titles on key subjects and periods in the non-fiction section.

General Reference

The general reference section is housed in a comfortable reading room. It holds encyclopaedias and general reference titles (such as the Bolshaya Sovetskaya Entsiklopediya and Soviet Union Yearbook), atlases and maps, general and technical dictionaries in Russian and other languages of the former Soviet Union, and the Russian language study collection.

Reference Library and Archive

The main reference library and archive are for research only and are by special access. They include the Society's most important and rare collections and the SCRSS Archive. There is also a large collection of periodicals, pamphlets and press cuttings on all aspects of the Soviet period, as well as theatre and cinema programmes.

The collection is partially catalogued. Cataloguing and digitisation are ongoing, but dependent largely on volunteer support.

Visiting the Library

The loan library is open to individual SCRSS members. They may borrow up to six books at one time for a period of one month. Postal loans are available and are charged at mailing cost. If you are a first-time visitor, please make an appointment.

The reference library and archive, as well as the photographic collection, are open to individual SCRSS members, members of affiliated organisations and non-members on a research basis. Research fees apply - rates are available on request. SCRSS members are charged 50% of the rate to non-members. Research in the reference library and archive is by prior appointment only.

Please contact the SCRSS for further information or to make an appointment.

Opening Hours

Monday - Friday, 10 - 1pm, 2 - 6pm


 

SCR exhibition poster, 1925 (copyright SCRSS)

 

Related Links

Photo Library

 

SCRSS Loan Library (copyright SCRSS)

 

© SCRSS