Association of Independent Libraries - Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution

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1: Institution	Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution
2: Founded	1824
3: Postal address	16-18 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN
4: Tel. Fax. Email Web	Tel: 01225 312084 Fax: 01225 442460 www.brlsi.org enquiries@brlsi.org
5: AIL contact	Dr Peter Ford, Education Committee Member
6: Hours	By appointment
7: Membership details	Open to 500 subscribing members (new members welcome, rates available on request).
8: Activities, publications etc.	Frequent lectures, special events, exhibitions, film society, research groups, specialist discussion groups on literature, science and the arts and scientific demonstrations for young people. Regular email bulletin available on request which lists events.
9: Refreshments	Tea and coffee available at meetings; coffee morning open to all every Saturday (10.30-12.30).
10: Visitors / Researchers	Enquiries by letter, all researchers by appointment.
11: Background information	The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) was founded in 1824 and was opened to members in 1825, providing a museum, library and reading room, lecture hall and botanical garden. The BRLSI moved to its present building in 1932, but fell into rapid decline with a dwindling membership following requisition of its building by the Admiralty during World War II. The BRLSI was successfully relaunched in 1993 and is currently establishing itself as an educational resource in the area.
12: Collections	One important area of activity for the relaunched BRLSI is the establishment of a library and research facility. The BRLSI's antiquarian library contains over 7,000 volumes, notably the Jenyns and Broome natural history libraries. Smaller collections cover local history, theology, travel and government. The Institution's archives contain bound volumes of letters from eminent naturalists and scientists, including Charles Darwin, Sir Joseph Hooker and Professor J.S. Henslow.
13: Building	Grade I listed Greek Revival building designed by John Pinch the Younger in 1830 located in Queen Square, the finest Georgian square in Bath, originally designed by John Wood the Elder and built between 1728 and 1735.
14: Status	Registered charity no 304477 2004/03/15