Library and research facilities

The Museum Service has an extensive collection of books, including rare and long out-of-print works, of both local and wider interest. These include specialist archaeology and natural history libraries as well as an extensive collection of books and pamphlets relating to local history. The archives of virtually all archaeological fieldwork carried out in the district are also held by the museum, although kept off-site at our store.

Using the library

The local history library is held in the Local Studies Centre at North Hertfordshire Museum.

The archaeology and natural history libraries are situated at the Museums Resource Centre, Burymead Road, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1RT.

They are open for use by appointment during office hours on weekdays, although under special circumstances, it may be possible to open at a weekend.

The library is solely for reference and it is not possible to borrow books.

Costs

Use of the library is free for academic and personal research. Commercially funded research (for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments, Evaluations etc.) is charged at £45.00 per hour + costs of photocopying/scanning.

Custom searches

It is possible for staff and volunteers of the Museum Service to carry out a search for you and there may be charges. Customised searches (for non-commercial research) are free for the first twenty minutes. Thereafter, there will be a charge of £45 per hour.