Explore Without Boundaries
Whether you’re a researcher, student, or enthusiast, our Virtual Reading Room brings valuable resources directly to your screen no matter where in the world you live.
The Virtual Reading Room is designed for research and focused study while protecting the integrity of original materials.
What You Can Access
- Rare books and manuscripts
- Archival documents and special collections
- Digitised items that are not otherwise available through public platforms
How It Works
Getting started is simple:
- Use our Library Catalogue and Archives Finding Aids to identify an item you are interested in viewing
- Complete the form below nominating your collection item and preferred time slot(s)
- We’ll confirm the item’s availability and the session date, then send you a link for online payment of £5 (limited-time price for a 30-minute session).
- We will provide a secure Zoom link for you to access your personal Virtual Reading Room session at the designated time.
Why Use the Virtual Reading Room?
- Convenience: Access collections in the comfort of your own home or office
- Preservation: Access originals, while keeping them well cared for and secure
- Efficiency: Save travel time and expense
- Support: Get follow-up help from knowledgeable staff if required
Unlock a world of knowledge from your home or office. Register now and experience a smarter, more accessible way to work with our collections.
Your research, reimagined – online.
Book a Virtual Reading Room Session
* Check your local time.
** If you need to change your nominated timeslot or session time, let us know as soon as possible. After we have confirmed the availability and suitability of your requested item, we’ll be in touch with the proposed date and time of your session, and a payment link. After payment the session will be set up and you’ll receive your Virtual Reading Room session link.
Terms and Conditions
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Please read the following before you book your Virtual Reading Room service:
- Your VRR Host will be staff member or volunteer of the Society of Genealogists who will help you to view your requested item. The VRR Host cannot provide genealogical advice or information about the requested item beyond what is in the item itself. If you have any questions about the requested item, you should send them to collections@sog.org.uk
- During the session, you may take screenshots of and/or photographs of the item, within copyright legislation (i.e. you may capture images of no more than 5% or one chapter of a work. Images may only be used for your private study and not for any commercial purpose. You may not record the session.
- If you wish to use images of collection items for a publication or for any other commercial purpose, please contact genenquiries@sog.org.uk with the details. You can also contact this address to request better copies of the resource through our copy service.
- Some collection items may be unavailable to the Virtual Reading Room service for a variety of reasons (such as if the item is too large or too fragile). We will notify you in advance if this is the case.
- Currently this service is available to members of the Society of Genealogists only. We may open Virtual Reading Room to non-members in future.