Researchers

If you wish to pursue specialist research on the collection, you must have an appointment.

It is normally necessary to arrange this at least one month in advance of your arrival and, if you are a first-time researcher, to provide references in support of your request.

If you are undertaking a general search of the collection you may be asked to begin your work by concentrating on secondary materials (catalogues and microfilms) in order to minimise the handling of precious original materials.

When working on manuscript materials in the Library you will be assigned a designated place in the Library which you must use at all times.

You may not bring a coat or briefcase with you into the Library and you must use a pencil for all note-taking.

Photography is not permitted. You may, however, bring a laptop computer into the Reading Room.

To make an application to research the collection, please download and complete the Manuscript Request Form or the Registration Form and return to:

Celine Ward, Reference Librarian
Reference Library,
The Chester Beatty Library,
Dublin Castle,
Dublin 2
E-mail: reference@cbl.ie

The Library also holds a large collection of reference material; if you wish to consult this collection only, please visit our Reading Room page for more information.