Devon and Exeter Institution

THE LIBRARY, by gift and purchase, has reached a size of some 40,000 volumes. These include long runs of nineteenth century journals, many early scientific books, the works of local authors, and a great deal of printed historical source material. The collection of bound volumes of local newspapers, some dating from the eighteenth century is unique. There are many early illustrated books, topographical and travel literature, maps, prints and drawings and a very comprehensive holding of standard books and journals for the study of South West England. This last collection in particular is being continuously consolidated and enlarged. In 1972 the day-to-day administration of the Institution's Library was taken over by the University of Exeter, one of whose staff is in attendance. The Institution also serves as the headquarters of the Devon and Cornwall Record society and it has close links with Devon County Library services, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, the Exeter Civic Society and other local organisations.

The Library holdings are incorporated into the University of Exeter Library online searchable catalogue http://lib.ex.ac.uk/.