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What's on/Library

Library

Explore musical history through the RCM's rich collection of scores, books and recordings

The Royal College of Music Library is a renowned source of scores, books, manuscripts and recordings for access by students, staff, visiting researchers and members of the public.

It holds internationally significant items such as the manuscripts of Mozart’s C minor Piano Concerto K491, Elgar’s Cello Concerto and Chopin’s Minute Waltz.

Library visitor information

Our collections

Opening hours

RCM Library

Term time opening hours
  • Monday-Thursday: 9am-7pm
  • Friday: 9am-5.30pm
  • Saturday: 9am-2pm (RCM Junior Department days - access for college members only)
  • Performance Week Hours (27-31 October):
    • Monday-Thursday: 9am-6pm
    • Friday: 9am-5:30pm

Last issues and returns are 15 minutes before closing time.

Holiday opening hours
  • Mon 15 Dec                  CLOSED
  • Tue 16 – Wed 17 Dec    11am-5pm
  • Thu 18 Dec                   11am-12  noon only
  • Fri 19 Dec                     11am-5pm

 

  • Mon 22 Dec                  CLOSED
  • Tue 23 Dec                   11am-5pm
  • The library is then closed until
  • Fri 2 Jan                   11am-5pm

 

  • Mon 5 Jan                     CLOSED
  • Tue 6 – Fri 9 Jan           11am-5pm

Term time opening hours resume on Mon 12 Jan 2026.

Last issues and returns are 15 minutes before closing time.

Special Collections and College Archive

The Library’s collections include 30,000 manuscripts, 40,000 early printed editions, 140 personal archives and 700,000 concert and opera programmes.

The RCM Library and RCM Museum collections were awarded designated status by the Arts Council England in 2021 because of their significant cultural value.

Researchers and members of the public are welcome to visit during normal opening hours. See here for the full details. If you’re unable to visit in person, many items are available to consult via the Internet Archive.

You can buy postcards and facsimiles of some of our most noteworthy items from the RCM Shop, a wonderful gift for any music-lover in your life.

The RCM Library also looks after the College archive which includes rich historical information about the RCM and its place as one of the world’s greatest conservatoires.

Enquiries

If you have any general queries about the library please feel free to contact us via the email or phone number below, or ask in person at the library counter. A full list of library staff is available on our contacts page.

RCM Library

General enquiries

+44 (0)20 7591 4325

library@rcm.ac.uk