Lloyd's Register reference library, London

Details on the Information Centre reference library in London

This specialist maritime reference library is nestled in the heart of the City of London. It provides access to the full collection of the Lloyd's Register of Ships (1764 to date) and associated publications for the public benefit.

Also available in the library are the Lloyd's Register of Yachts and Lloyd's Register of American Yachts, as well as a good selection of relevant secondary material.

For full details of the collection please see Infosheet 10: Lloyd's Register sources available to researchers  

The IMarEST collection at Lloyd's Register is also available to researchers visiting the Information Centre library.

Contact & Location details                          

Lloyd's Register Information Centre

71 Fenchurch Street

London, EC3M 4BS

T+44 (0)20 7423 2475
E  histinfo@lr.org                                    (Download location map & directions)

Opening times

The Information Centre library is open to the public from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 09:30 and 16:30  (closed for lunch from 12:00 until 13:00). 

History of the Library

Lloyd's Register has maintained a library since 1852 when it was founded at the bequest of principal surveyor Augustin Francis Bullock Creuze. In 1901, the library was moved to our new premises at 71 Fenchurch Street, a building designed by Thomas Edward Collcutt, architect for the Imperial Institute in South Kensington and Wigmore Hall. Collcutt used only the best materials in his work and this is reflected in the old library, which was restored to its original splendour in 1999 and now houses much of our historic book collection.

The part of the library in daily use is located in our old building at 71 Fenchurch Street. The entrance is through the main reception area in the new building designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership and completed in 1999.

Image below : The old library, designed by Thomas Collcutt in 1901