The Upper Library of the Geological Society of London, taken from an upstairs gallery looking down at table and chairs on a maroon carpet surrounded by book-lined shelves. Two bright glass chandeliers hang above the library.

The Library

The Geological Society Library houses one of the finest collections of geoscience literature in the world. We provide members and other users with a wealth of resources including rich historical archives, an unrivalled map collection and the latest scholarly research delivered straight to your device or desktop. Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-5pm. Contact us: library@geolsoc.org.uk

Library Showcase Day 2026

Members of the Geological Society are invited to join us for our annual Library Showcase Day on Thursday 2 July. Discover more about your Library benefits, enjoy a tour of the building and view some treasure from our Archives.

View James Hutton manuscript in June

To celebrate 300 years since the birth of Scottish geologist James Hutton on 3 June 1726, a manuscript of his groundbreaking book 'Theory of the Earth' (1795) will be on display in the Library at Burlington House.

A table in a library with a laptop showing a library catalogue, a mobile phone, an opened book and a page of writing with a pencil. Bookshelves in the background.

Library Services

Find out about Visiting the Library, Loans and Copying services, Database Searches and Library Tours & Training

Library Services
Wooden drawers of a Library card catalogue

Search the Collections

Search the Library and Archive catalogues

Explore the Collections
A laptop with two hands typing on it, with a PC blurred in the background

Library E-Resources

Access E-Books and E-Journals using OpenAthens

Library E-Resources
Extract from a geological map of Morocco, centred on Tahanaout, showing geological colouring in yellows, pinks, reds and browns.

The Map Room

Discover one of the most comprehensive collections of geological mapping in the world

The Map Room
Detail of Index Testarum, black and white engraving showing five cherubs looking at shells

Archives & Special Collections

One of the greatest strengths of the Geological Society’s collections is its outstanding historical material which is available for consultation by Fellows and visitors

Archives and Special Collections
A 19th Century painting of Yellowstone National Park, with snow capped mountains in the distance, greener mountains and trees in the foreground, and the moon rising in the distance

Picture Library

Discover hundreds of images from our historical collections

Picture Library
A composite image of Mary Anning, William Buckland, Janet Watson and William Smith, with extract from pleisosaur and 1815 geological map

Online Exhibitions

Enjoy highlights from our collections, focusing on important figures in the history of geology

Online Exhibitions
A close of of a marbled book cover with the words Library copy Not to Circulate

Sponsor our Collections

Help preserve our important collections for future generations

Sponsor Our Collections

Latest Library News

Portrait of James Hutton

Library

21/05/2026

Manuscript copy of 'Theory of the Earth' on display at the Society
Detail of a lithograph showing the Bindon landslide

Library

08/03/2026

New online exhibition spotlighting women’s contributions to geology

The Upper Library of the Geological Society of London, taken from an upstairs gallery looking down at table and chairs on a maroon carpet surrounded by book-lined shelves. Two bright glass chandeliers hang above the library.

General Society

09/07/2025

Library Showcase Day 2025