The Alpine Club Library
 Tel: 020 7613 0745     Email: library@alpine-club.org.uk

The AC library is one of the most comprehensive collections of mountaineering literature in the world, with over 25,000 books, journals, guidebooks, expedition reports and maps. The Archive has a unique collection of correspondence, diaries, press cuttings and club papers relating to the AC and the Ladies' Alpine Club, providing a record of the history of mountaineering. 

Interim Arrangements

The Club would like to thank Yvonne Sibbald who has resigned as Librarian after her four years with the Club. We have much appreciated her friendly and helpful manner.  She has been particularly active in developing the research side of the library's function and has aided many people with their projects.

Barbara Grigor-Taylor - who is one of the Trustees of the Library Charity - and Ian Smith will be running the Library on an interim basis while we recruit a new part-time librarian. It will be open for club members on Tuesdays 10.00am to 5.30pm (7.00pm when there is a club lecture), and for everyone on Wednesdays, 10.00am to 5.30pm. During this interim operation there will be no closure at lunch-time. Barbara wishes to encourage as many members as possible to visit the Library in the next month or so; she will welcome them and ask them to give her comments about what is good and what is not so good. This will help the Council of Trustees to know what is really wanted and where to make improvements.

Search the Library Catalogue

The library is open for reference and research. Access is free for AC, ABMSAC, and FRCC members, and Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society. Proof of membership may be requested. Non-members may use the library by appointment and are invited to make a contribution to the cost of maintaining it. All users are asked to telephone before they visit the library (except before AC meetings when the libary remains open until 7.00 pm). Access to the Archives is possible by arrangement with the Club archivist. The phone for the library and archives is 020 7613 0745.
email library@alpine-club.org.uk. 

The library also maintains the Himalayan Index, a unique database recording expeditions to Himalayan, Karakoram, Hindi Kush and Chinese Peaks over 6000m  and more than 600  Expedition Reports. 

BOOKS FOR SALE

The Alpine Club Library regularly sells a wide range of second hand books, journals, guidebooks, etc which are superfluous to requirements.  For details please contact Mike Hewson.

ALPINE CLUB ARCHIVES

The AC Archives contain a wide-ranging collection of documents that go back to the earliest days of mountaineering.
Go to the Alpine Club's Archives page.

Email the Librarian

ALPINE CLUB, 55/56 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3QF
Telephone: (+44) (0)20 7613 0755       Email: admin@alpine-club.org.uk