Collecting Policy

The Marx Memorial Library collects books, archives, and historical material related to Marxism and the history of socialism. Our collections have been built up through donations over more than 90 years. We collect material from across Marxist and socialist movements and aim to document their rich history, practice, and organisation. This includes some international material, though we may not be able to accept items in certain foreign languages.

We are very grateful for offers of donations that help to strengthen our collections. Publications that fill gaps in our holdings are especially welcome. However, please note that we are not able to accept all material offered to us. In particular:

•    We are unable to accept general works on politics or history outside of Marxism, or items relating solely to the general history or culture of socialist or former socialist countries.
•    We are unable to accept duplicate books or pamphlets already held in our collections. Publications by or connected to the CPGB are a particular strength of the library—especially from the 1930s, when we were founded—so further copies of these are very likely to duplicate existing holdings.

In addition to books, we collect archival material, including original items such as photographs, minutes, correspondence, and flyers from individual activists, political campaigns, and organisations. We would be delighted to talk with you about preserving any original or unique material connected to your own political organising.

If you have something you think would make an interesting addition to our collections and would like to donate it, please email library@marx-memorial-library.org.uk.

If your material does not fall within our collecting remit, you may find other archives and libraries interested on the Society for the Study of Labour History Archives and Resources Sub-Committee list: https://sslh.org.uk/archives-2/