From its inception in 1779 the Library has benefited from generous gifts of early medical books. The Institution Library has approximately 7,000 medical monographs dating from the 16th to 19th centuries. This substantial collection of books has recently had extensive preservation work undertaken with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

In addition to the books the Library has a unique collection 18th and 19th century medical pamphlets. It includes such gems as John Douglas' Animadversions on a late pompous book . . .by W Cheselden, 1735 and many of local interest such as Samuel Malins' Remarks on the necessity for establishing, in Liverpool, a dispensary for children, 1832. 

There is a printed catalogue of the collection up to the end of the 19th Century.

Reference works and journals devoted to the study of the history of medicine are also available.

Access

Interested researchers who are not Members of the Institution may apply to the Librarian with a letter of introduction. For access to the historical collections an appointment is necessary in advance of any visit.