Shakespeare's Globe has opened a new Research and Collections Centre on its Bankside site, creating a permanent, purpose-built home for its extensive archives and what the theatre describes as London's only dedicated public Shakespeare library. The centre, which began accepting researcher appointments in late September 2026, offers free access to thousands of books, rare early modern texts, and a comprehensive archive of the Globe’s own productions.

The facility aims to serve a wide audience, from undergraduate academics and independent scholars to theatre practitioners and directors from around the world. While serious research requires a pre-booked appointment, the building also includes a public foyer with free temporary exhibitions. Dr. Will Tosh, who leads higher education and research at the Globe, extended a broad invitation, stating, "We want anyone with an interest to come and enjoy this space."

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A Vision Fulfilled: Scholarship and Performance United

The opening of the Research and Collections Centre marks the fulfillment of a key part of founder Sam Wanamaker’s original vision for the Globe. His ambition was for the site to be not only a space for performance but also the world's "first point of reference for the study and appreciation of Shakespeare in Performance." The new centre centralizes collections that were previously housed in less suitable facilities, finally integrating the Globe's scholarly work with its theatrical mission on the Bankside campus.

This integration of study and stage is reflected in the centre's resources, which are designed to support both academic inquiry and the practical work of creating theatre. The Globe's research program focuses on contemporary issues, including social justice and inclusive storytelling, aiming to connect the historical materials with modern performance and scholarship. The centre's opening is timed with ongoing programming, such as the theatre's Shakespeare and Race Festival in October 2026, underscoring its role as a hub for current cultural and academic conversations.

Inside the Collections: From a Second Folio to Digital Archives

The centre’s holdings are organized to serve a variety of research interests, from literary history to performance studies. The main library collection, housed in the Audre D. Carlin Reading Room, contains more than 6,000 books. The collection’s focus is on Shakespeare and his contemporaries, early modern literature and culture, Tudor and Stuart society, and the history of dramatic performance across the globe.

For scholars of early modern texts, the John Wolfson Rare Book Room holds nearly 500 plays, poems, and other works from the 16th and 17th centuries. A centerpiece of this collection is a 1632 second folio edition of Shakespeare's complete works, the volume that first categorized his plays into the now-familiar comedies, histories, and tragedies.

Perhaps the most unique resource is the Globe's own performance archive. Since the 1996 Prologue Season, the theatre has filmed all of its productions. This has created an unparalleled collection of recordings, with virtually every play performed in both the Globe Theatre and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse available for viewing by appointment. According to the Globe, these recordings and the theatre's prompt books are among the most frequently requested items, consulted by international academics and artistic directors alike.

Accessing Shakespeare's Globe Research and Collections Centre

The new centre is designed with two distinct types of visitors in mind: the general public and registered researchers. While the Globe states the centre is "open to all," the level of access and the resources available depend on the purpose of the visit. A public foyer space is open to casual visitors, but access to the library and archive collections is strictly managed to protect the materials.

The following guide outlines the different access methods and what is available to each type of visitor.

A guide to visiting the Research and Collections Centre, outlining access for the general public and for registered researchers.
Visitor Type Access Level Available Resources Booking Requirement
General Public Foyer Space Free temporary exhibitions. No appointment required for the foyer.
Registered Researcher Reading Rooms & Archives Full library of over 6,000 books, the rare book collection including the 1632 second folio, and the complete performance archive with production recordings and prompt books. A free, pre-booked appointment is mandatory for all library and archive access.

Plan Your Research Visit to the Globe

For those wishing to consult the library and archive, access is free but requires registering and booking an appointment in advance. According to Shakespeare's Globe, appointments became available starting September 22, 2026. The duration of a research visit can be tailored to a project's needs, with appointments varying in length from a single hour to several days.

The Library and Archives are open for appointments from Tuesday to Thursday. The operating hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. All visits to use these collections must be scheduled in advance.

Potential researchers and visitors should plan ahead by booking an appointment for specific access to the library and archive collections, while the general public can explore the foyer exhibitions without a booking. The essential step for any in-depth research is to secure a time slot online; a confirmation email for a booked research appointment serves as the necessary ticket for entry into the reading rooms.

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