Stratford Upon Avon Library 

The Stratford libraries were founded in the last half of the 19th century and were amalgamated in 1964 when they were housed in the purpose-built Shakespeare Centre.

The Library comprises the combined collections of the Birthplace Trust and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. It contains over 40,000 books and other items, including major theatrical archives, which cover many aspects of Shakespeare's life, work and times and the history of his plays on the stage dating from 1623

• Separate talks can be arranged for groups on the Library and Records Office collections, accompanied by small displays of books, documents or other material. The talks can either be of a general nature or focus on pre-arranged topics such as, in the case of the Library, the stage history of particular plays. This informative and reputable residence will provide deep insights into the works of Shakespeare, as well as numerous other subjects.

Further Information

Some of the earliest printed English books are housed within the library

Opening Times

The Shakespeare Centre Library is open as follows. except at Bank Holidays:

• Monday - Friday 10.00 am -5.00 pm.
• Saturday: 9.30 am -12.30 pm.