Bishopsgate Institute library reopens after �7.7m makeover

THE LIBRARY at the Bishopsgate Institute has reopened as part of  the �7.7 million refurbishment of the historic cultural centre on the edge of the City. It now boasts an underground archive to store treasures including a letter from novelist and journal

THE LIBRARY at the Bishopsgate Institute has reopened as part of the �7.7 million refurbishment of the historic cultural centre on the edge of the City.

It now boasts an underground archive to store treasures including a letter from novelist and journalist Charles Dickens and a dedicated area for researchers to use.

The library has a vast collection of Labour and trade union history and is also the home of the collection amassed by social historian Raphael Samuel.

The centre opened its doors in 1895 in a building designed by Charles Harrison Townsend, who was also responsible for the Whitechapel Gallery and Horniman Museum in south London.

The institute near to Liverpool Street station on Bishopsgate is still appealing for donations towards its restoration appeal.