Details of our Enquiries Service and arrangments for access to our collections are described here.

Book Collection

The book and journal collection of the RSGS is housed in a specially dedicated reading room in the Andersonian Library of the University of Strathclyde, adjacent to the University's geography collection. Access to the collection is free to members of RSGS.

The collection comprises over 25,000 books and 20,000 journal volumes together with 180 foreign language serials formerly housed in the National Library of Scotland. All material is accessible through the online catalogue of the Andersonian Library, which can be accessed nationally and internationally through the Internet.

Photographic Collections

The RSGS photographic collections comprise over 100,000 35mm colour slides of geographical subjects from around the world, over 8,000 antique glass lantern slides, many of which relate to past expeditions mounted by the Society, and a collection of historic photographs mainly of past officers of the Society. The individual collections are listed, and parts catalogued in detail, within our Maps and Images Database created as part of our Images for All project. Some of our images are also accessible through the Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network (SCRAN) and the Glasgow Digital Libraries (GDL) Project.

Map Collection

The map collection comprises a contemporary and historic collection of over 100,000 items, some of which were collected in association with RSGS expeditions. The collection is listed within our Maps and Images Database.

Archives

RSGS has a small but important archive of material relating to past expeditions, voyages and the work of famous explorers, together with records of the activities of the Society since its founding in 1884. These are catalogued as part of our Images for All Project.