Maughan Library
The Maughan Library (/mɔːn/) is the main university research library of King's College London, forming part of the Strand Campus. A 19th-century neo-Gothic building located on Chancery Lane in the City of London, it was formerly the home to the headquarters of the Public Record Office, known as the "strong-box of the Empire", and was acquired by the university in 2001. Following a £35m renovation designed by Gaunt Francis Architects, the Maughan is the largest new university library in the United Kingdom since World War II.
| Maughan Library, King's College London | |
|---|---|
The Maughan Library with the Clock Tower | |
| 51.5153°N 0.1106°W | |
| Location | Chancery Lane London, WC2, United Kingdom |
| Type | Academic library |
| Established | 1232 Domus Conversorum 1377 Chapel/House of Master of the Rolls 1851 Public Record Office 2001 Maughan Library |
| Branch of | King's College London Library Services |
| Branches | 8 |
| Collection | |
| Items collected | Books, journals, newspapers, magazines, sound and music recordings, maps, prints, drawings and manuscripts |
| Size | 750k items (approx.) |
| Access and use | |
| Access requirements | Students and staff of King's College London and other University of London colleges, some SCONUL Access Card holders and members of the public with legitimate research needs |
| Other information | |
| Budget | £5,087,981 (Expenditure on print and electronic resources across all branches 2011–12) |
| Director | Lis Hannon |
| Website | kcl.ac.uk/library |
Designed by Sir James Pennethorne and constructed in 1851, with further extensions made between 1868 and 1900, it is a Grade II* listed building. Inside the library is a dodecagonal reading room, inspired by that of the British Museum, and a former medieval chapel, now an exhibition space showcasing the special collections of the library. The library was named in honour of Sir Deryck Maughan, an alumnus of the university.