Local history material

Opening times
Monday​ - 10am–12.45pm and 2.15–4.45pm​ (Appointments only all day)
​Tuesday - 9.30am–12.45pm and 2.15–4.45pm (Appointments only 5pm–8pm)​
​Wednesday - Closed​
​Thursday - 9.30am–12.45pm and 2.15–4.45pm​
​Friday - 9am–12.45pm and 2.15–4pm​ (Appointments only all day)
​Saturday - 9am–12.45pm and 2.15–4.45pm (Appointments only all day)​
​Sunday ​- Closed

We usually operate a restricted service for two weeks in December for stocktaking.

We may not be able to produce archives or other material on closed access without previous notice. Such material may be ordered in advance.

Please contact us before your visit, to check that we have the material you want to see, or for advice on your project. You are advised to make an appointment, particularly to use microfilm or archives, or outside of our drop in days.

The material we hold is in many cases irreplaceable, so it must be treated with great care. You will need to leave any large bag in a locker, and to use a pencil rather than a pen for making notes from archives. Food and drink must not be consumed anywhere in the library, and particularly not in the Local history and archives centre.

Facilities
Separate room for group/class visits. Microfilm and microfiche readers and printers. Photocopying and photographic copies. Local history publications sold.

In Lewisham library there are toilets (wheelchair-accessible) and baby changing facilities for male and female readers, and a baby feeding room.

Forms are available for you to let us have your compliments, comments or complaints on our services.

We can help you with:

  • the history of the borough
  • finding out the history of houses in the borough (when they were built, and who lived there)
  • the history of an area within the borough, for a school project or for general interest
  • tracing your family history (ancestors in Lewisham, or general information)
  • local information on specific topics (e.g. famous people who have lived in the borough)
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