| AdminHistory | Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives was established in 1965. It holds outstanding and unique resources for the study of the history of Tower Hamlets.
Prior to the formation of the Borough of Tower Hamlets, separate local history collections were maintained by the three former Metropolitan Boroughs of Stepney, Poplar and Bethnal Green. That for Bethnal Green was looked after by the Reference Librarian. The Librarian in charge of the local history collection for Stepney (based at Mile End Library, the present Local History Library and Archives) was Bernard Lewis from 1947 to 1965. The Librarian of Special Collections for Poplar from May 1948 onwards was A. L. Hellicar, who subsequently became the first Local History Librarian for the new Borough of Tower Hamlets in 1965.
Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives was awarded Accreditation in March 2018. Archive Service Accreditation is the UK standard for archive services and best practice. According to the website, https://www.ideastore.co.uk/local-history/about-us:
'Through a range of original documents, images and reference books the collections document the changing local landscape and lived experiences of individuals and communities in Tower Hamlets.
Our Grade II listed library building dates from 1860 and based in Mile End. The extensive local history library covers a vast range of popular subjects. Areas covered include migration and communities local industries and political movements.
There are thousands of photographs and press cuttings as well as rare publications. Stored on hundreds of linear metres of mobile shelving in our climate-controlled strongroom, the archive collections are spread across a variety of formats, from medieval parchment to digital audio and video.'
The service as part of libraries sits under Idea Store. The Local History Library and Archives has been managed under different directorates over its history. More recently the service has been under Resources Directorate until 16 June 2024 and from 17 June 2024 Communities Directorate - Culture. |