The library of the Alpine Club is one of the UK’s largest collections of mountaineering material.
Over 50,000 items spanning over 200 years of mountaineering history. As well as the UK’s largest library dedicated to mountaineering the collection includes the Alpine Club archives, a historic photo library and painting collection, artefacts and even some monuments.
The Alpine Club Library was founded in 1858, in the first year of the Club. In 1972 it was established as a separate charitable trust, managed by trustees appointed by the British Mountaineering Council and the Royal Geographical Society as well as the Alpine Club.
What does the library have?
The library collects books on mountaineering and mountain culture. The core library is a valuable resource for researchers and free to browse when visiting. Alongside a collection of climbing guides and journals it contains a selection of key works and modern titles on mountaineering.
The rare book collection is kept in our secure storeroom but items can be retrieved on request. It houses rare and older works relating to mountaineering and mountains. Alongside early classics by Albert Smith and Edward Whymper the rare book collection also houses works relating to the English lake district, early European travel and Swiss flora and fauna.
The library also has a large collection of mountaineering and climbing club journals. These cover clubs around the world as well as UK climbing clubs.
You can find more about the archives, photo library, painting collection, artefacts and monuments on their relevant pages.
Using the library
The library is open three days a week to members and the general public.
If you want to consult particular items or need help finding out if the library holds items relating to your enquiry then please email the library - library@alpineclub.org
Please note that the library may need prior notice if you want to consult items held in the library store, archives or photo collection in order to have sufficient time to retrieve them.
If you are unable to visit the library then the librarian is happy to deal with any enquiries via email.
Users are invited to make a donation of £10.00 in order to help fund care and conservation of the collections.
Members of the Alpine Club may borrow items from the main library collection - apart from guidebooks. Books can be borrowed in person or by post (within the UK). Photocopies can be requested in person, by post or email.
AC members may use the Royal Geographical Society Library for free on production of their AC membership card.
Members of the AC, ABMSAC, and Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society may use the Alpine Club Library free of charge.
Contacting the Library
Alpine Club Librarian - Emma McDonald
- Telephone:- 020 7613 0745
- Email: library@alpineclub.org
- Address: - Alpine Club Library, 55 Charlotte Rd, London, EC2A 3QF
Supporting the Alpine Club Library
With your help we can continue to tell the story of mountaineering from it's earliest days to the present.
The Alpine Club's collections grow mostly through donation. We're always happy to consider donations of books or items relating to mountaineering and it's history. In particular we welcome gifts of firsthand accounts, diaries and correspondence which can be added to our existing archive. By donating material you ensure that it can be made available for future generations to learn from.
The library also accepts monetary donations which help to fund conservation work and support access to the collection. Small donations can be made via paypal or in person when visiting while our treasurer will readily advise on procedure for making bequests and tax-effective covenanted donations.
You can either contact us through the form at the bottom of the page or by emailing our librarian - library@alpineclub.org - who will be happy to help.
Annual Reports
The Alpine Club Library maintains an annual record of its activities including appointments, acquisitions and public events. Reports from 2016 onwards can be accessed below: