London Borough of Croydon

You are here:

Local Studies Library

Opening hours:

  • Monday: 0900 - 1900
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 0900 - 1800
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: 0900 - 1800
  • Saturdays: 0900 - 1700 on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, closed on other Saturdays

Please note that we will be closed for lunch between 1pm and 2pm on Friday 29 January - Saturday 20 February inclusive. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

We collect books, photographs, maps, newspapers and other items that are of value in the study of the past, present and future of Croydon. You can view them by visiting us on Level 3 of the Central Library.

You do not need to be a member of the library or book to see these great resources. However, it may help if you contact us in advance to find out whether we have what you are looking for.

You cannot borrow items from our collection, but there are books on local history in the main library. Manuscripts and documents are held in the archive collections.

Available equipment:

  • PCs with internet access
  • microfilm and fiche reader/printers
  • coin-operated photocopier
  • camera copying stand.

There may be restrictions on copying certain items because of copyright regulations or because of the fragile condition of the material.

Collection contents

Many of our items are included on our Research Croydon database. However, this database is not quite finished and there are many more items still to catalogue. They can be found through paper catalogues and indexes in the library. Please contact us if you cannot see what you require.

If you want to find a particular item on our shelves, you will need to find its reference number and, sometimes, its class number beforehand. These can be found in either Research Croydon or the paper catalogues.

Types of material held:

  • books
  • photographs
  • maps and plans
  • local newspapers and periodicals
  • sales particulars
  • census returns 1841-1901
  • war records, including the Roll of Honour
  • electoral registers from 1883
  • parish registers
  • street directories
  • telephone books.

Contact Details

Contact name
Local Studies Library
Telephone
020 8726 6900
Fax
020 8253 1012
Email
localstudies@croydon.gov.uk
Address
Level 3
Central Library
Croydon Clocktower
Katharine Street
Croydon CR9 1ET

How do you rate this information / service?

What does this rating mean?