The Ethical Society Library would like to be the National Research Library for Humanism and related subjects. It can claim to be the United Kingdom's largest and most comprehensive Humanist Research Library. The Library stock includes books, periodicals and pamphlets. Although in the past it has been used to provide a general lending service to the members of the Society, today the focus is directed to a reference-only collection.
The collection is housed in the library at Conway Hall which was built in 1929. This is the most attractive room in the hall, charmingly oak-panelled and the interesting design of the library windows is reflected in the backdrop to this web site. An aesthetically pleasing addition to the furniture has been the adding of glass doors with brass fittings for greater security. As well as research, the Library is the venue for SPES meetings and evening classes (see Programme for details). The room, which is reserved for the Society's use, may also be used by kindred organisations, some of which are listed on our Links page.
The book collection comprises approximately 10,000 volumes combining those of the South Place Ethical Society Library, the Rationalist Press Association Library and the Coit Memorial Library. The Library now specialises in subjects relating to ethics, humanism, rationalism and philosophy. Particular areas of interest include history of science and religion, cosmology, evolution and consciousness, history of ideas and the auto/biography of eminent freethinkers, and the history of ethical and humanist societies.
As well as the Library, Conway Hall also houses the most complete run of G.W. Foote's periodical, The Freethinker which researchers can also visit.
The Library is available for members of the Society. Access
for serious students and researchers is possible by prior
arrangement with the Librarian, at no charge. We regret that the
library is situated on the first floor and there is no wheelchair
access. You can contact the Library by letter at:
Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WCIR 4RL
Tel: 020 7242 8037
Fax: 020 7242 8036
email: library@ethicalsoc.org.uk
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