For Research
The Devon & Exeter Institution
Founded in 1813 the Devon & Exeter Institution is an independent library & educational charity (since 1989) that works closely with the University of Exeter & other Exeter heritage sites.
With two libraries that hold unique historical book collections, the DEI is also the premier institution collecting books on Devon’s history and historical figures.
Meetings rooms are available for business hire, the libraries available for cultural activities and events, and research appointments can be made.
The DEI is also open for public tours every Wednesday afternoon from 1-4pm.
Devon Heritage Centre - South West Heritage Trust
Based at the Devon Heritage Centre, the Devon Archives & Local Studies Service holds a range of collections that can be used to trace the rich history of the city and its literary heritage.
The popular West Country Studies Library is also located here.
The team welcomes enquiries from anyone with an interest in the social, political, economical or literary history of the county.
Devon Libraries
Libraries Unlimited runs Devon’s public library service with 50 libraries across Devon, including 4 in Exeter!
Exeter Library is open 7 days a week, with over 60,000 books, CDs and DVDs, as well as a reserve stack of approximately 150,000 items available on request. It is also home to the Business and Intellectual Property (IP) Centre which provides information and support for business start ups, and the first FabLab in a public library in England, a community creative space that provides access to a range of digital equipment.
Exeter Cathedral Library & Archives
In the West Wing of the Bishop’s Palace is a modern library and archive facility, making accessible many thousands of books and documents spanning the 10th—21st Centuries.
The Library includes medieval manuscripts and early printed books such as the world famous Exeter Book, available to view via scheduled sessions throughout the year, while the Archive contains original records documenting the history of the Cathedral, its buildings, people, and estates.
Research appointments and enquiries can be made through the website, and you can find out more about the Exeter Book here.
Exeter Working Papers in Book History
Historian Ian Maxted’s Exeter Projects in Book History provides a deep dive into all aspects of Devon’s book history, covering printing, popular literature, paper and watermarks, manuscripts and bibliography. There is also a fantastic newsletter!
Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery
RAMM has over 1 million items in its collections equating to approximately 245,000 entries on the Digital Asset Management System. About 8,000 are on long term display in permanent exhibition galleries. Items not on long or short term display are held in storage.
Collection items not on display can be viewed by making an appointment with the relevant member of the Collections Team, subject to resources and the condition of the collection item.
Fees and charges may apply depending on curatorial time, and appointments are dependent on the availability and location of items and the appropriate curator.
University of Exeter Library
The University of Exeter is responsible for a number of libraries and Special Collections across the city, including the South West Writers Special Collection, the Exeter Health Library at the RD&E, and the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum on the University campus. While the main libraries are primarily for the use of students and alumni, external visitors and members of the public are able to access many of the libraries and research facilities during staffed hours.
Have you got a space that’s ripe for research? Let us know about it!