Westminster Music Library

About us

The largest public music library in the south of the UK, Westminster Music Library was founded in 1946 when the music critic Edwin Evans died, leaving his collection of thousands of books, letters, manuscripts and scores. Following his death, a committee was set up to administer his collection and deposited it with Westminster Libraries, who with their support, continue to expand, promote and maintain this unique resource.

A wealth of material

Musicians have a wealth of unparalleled material within their grasp once they join Westminster Libraries. Westminster Music Library holds extensive loan collections of books, scores and performance parts, choral sets and sheet music. There are also orchestral sets for hire, reference books, and journals ranging from Early Music to NME (check availability on the periodicals catalogue).

We have recently acquired a digital piano for customer use and developed a Song Index to open up our song album collection. We have also retained a large collection of Mozart CDs from the former GLASS collection. The small but important Edwin Evans collection of original manuscripts and letters has now been moved to Westminster City Archives for temporary storage where the items can be better conserved. 

Opening hours

Westminster Libraries are closed on English Bank Holidays. For information on any other temporary changes to opening hours, please visit the News page.

How to find us

Address: Victoria Library, 160 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9UD

All enquiries: (020) 7641 1300

Renewals (24hrs): (020) 7641 1400

Minicom: (020) 7641 4879

Fax: (020) 7641 4281

Email: musiclibrary@westminster.gov.uk

Nearest Tube: Victoria

Buses: 11, 211, 239, C1, C10 or any bus to Victoria Station.

Access for people with disabilities:

	The entrance to Victoria Library is suitable for wheelchairs, with level access and automatic doors (but see Music Library details below). The ground floor is level: adult fiction, reference, periodicals, some non-fiction, music recordings, videos and the children's library are situated here.
	Westminster Music Library is on one level, but is only accessible by 30 steps. There is no lift.
	Registered assistance dogs are welcome.

More information about access to Westminster libraries.

Westminster Music Library Postal Service

As you will see from the access details above, Westminster Music Library is located on the first floor of Victoria Library. It is accessible via a staircase (30 steps), and there is no lift. If you find it difficult to access the Music Library due to a disability or for other reasons, we are able to offer a free postal service. Please telephone: (020) 7641 1300, or e-mail: musiclibrary@westminster.gov.uk for details.