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
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