tna.koha-ptfs.co.uk
The National Archives Library Catalogue
Search by name of author, title or keyword to find out the resources we hold.
Research and Enquiries Room and Library
You can drop in and use our free resources, including computers with access to digitised records, help desks for expert advice, and a reference library – all without signing up. They are on our first floor.
Start Here desk
Staff at our Start Here desk will be happy to talk to you and point you to resources that might help you to begin your research.
We will do our best to help you identify useful research paths to follow, and how to use the tools that we provide.
We can also provide a certificate of attendance if you require one. Sign the attendance diary at the Start Here desk for every day you study with us, and at the end of your visit, staff at the desk will issue you with a certificate for the days you have signed.
Research Enquiries desk
The documents we hold can be difficult to understand and navigate.
If you have more in-depth questions about our records and resources, the collections experts at our Research Enquiries desk will gladly help you as best they can.
Visitor computers
You can use a range of free resources on our visitor computers, including:
- Guides to getting started with research at The National Archives
- Digitised versions of some of our records
- Research guides to help you uncover the history of places, people or subjects
- Free access to our records on partner websites, including Ancestry and FindMyPast
- Our online catalogue, Discovery
- Our document ordering system
Library
You are welcome to use our reference library, which provides access to over 75,000 resources including books, periodicals, directories, maps, and over 300 digital resources.
The collection supports inclusive research into British history, including the histories of former British colonies, the British Empire, and the Commonwealth.
The library collection complements our archive holdings by providing context to it, covering national, international, and regional history, law, biographies, and genealogy. We also provide quiet spaces for on‑site research.
The best way to search our collection is to go to our library catalogue, which includes a book list you can browse.
We have over 1,000 rare books covering national, colonial, and regional history, law, military, ecclesiastical history, and linguistics. These can be consulted on request if you have a reader’s ticket.
A small amount of material is stored off site, as indicated in our catalogue. We require six working days to retrieve it upon request.
Library enquiries
For record enquiries, please use our Make a records and research enquiry form.