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Books
The books in the Collection are catalogued and can be found via the Library catalogue
A selection of the books from the collection are available for reference use in the Local Studies section of the Central Library in Portsmouth.
No appointment is necessary.
To use this section of the library, you will need to bring one of the following forms of identification:
- Portsmouth City Libraries ticket
- CARN Record Office card
- Driving licence
- Current student card, giving your name and name of institution
- Armed forces ID card
- Other proof of name and address, such as a gas bill
Directions and opening times
Reference Library
2nd Floor
Central Library
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2DX
023 9281 9311
Monday - 9.30am-5pm
Tuesday - 9.30am-6pm
Wednesday - 9.30am-6pm
Thursday - 9.30am-6pm
Friday - 9.30am-5pm
Saturday - 10am-3.30pm
Sunday - Closed
Directions by rail
The Collection is easy to reach by train from Portsmouth & Southsea Station.
Exit the station building to the left, through the taxi rank and across the road to Guildhall Square - the library is at the far left, past the Civic Offices
Directions by bus
Portsmouth Central Library is easily accessible by a number of public bus routes.
Use My Journey Portsmouth to plan your visit to Portsmouth Central Library by public transport.
Directions by car
Multimap provides the location of the library and allows drivers to create directions.
Explore the collection
The Coming of the Fairies Map
A map of the Cottingley Beck and Glen.showing where the fairies were 'found'.
The Death of 'Touie'
Throughout the month of August, we remember Louisa Hawkins (August, 2018)
Photo of William Gillette
American actor-manager, William Gillette (1853-1937) was best remembered for portraying Sherlock…
Photo of Arthur Conan Doyle in civilian dress watching a display of rifle shooting
Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle in civilian dress watching a display of rifle shooting some time…
Photograph of the Study for Sherlock
Photograph of the Study for Sherlock created by Portsmouth MIND as part of the Sharing Sherlock…
Photo Arthur Conan Doyle with Jean and Harry HoudinI
Conan Doyle with his wife Jean and Harry Houdini in Denver, Colorado, 9 May 1923 (October 2015)
The Adventure of the Creeping Man
A facsimile manuscript of The Creeping Man has been published, on the 90th anniversary of the…
You Don't Know Sherlock Holmes Yet
May 22nd was the birth date of our beloved author, on this date we have held an exhibition named…
Boscombe Valley Mystery
‘There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact’, states Sherlock Holmes. (March 2017)
Photograph of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle playing cricket at Windlesham Manor
A keen cricketer who played matches for the Marylebone Cricket Club, Conan Doyle also enjoyed more…
Adrian and Dennis Boxing
Doyle's sons followed in their father's sporting footsteps. Here they are boxing. (June 2017)
Sherlock Holmes Books in other languages
Sherlock Holmes' books were published all over the world and in many languages. These include:…
A Copy of The Study in Scarlet
The first Conan Doyle story to feature Sherlock Holmes published in 1882
Creating the Ogroshor quilt
Images of 'Moving Forward', a Bengali women's group creating the Ogroshor quilt of a copper beech,
Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle on the whaling ship Hope
From left to right: Captain David Gray, Benjamin Leigh Smith, Arthur Conan Doyle, Captain John…
Photograph of Conan Doyle's cricket team
Conan Doyle and his cricket team pictured on a tour of Holland

- 1The Coming of the Fairies Map
- 2The Death of 'Touie'
- 3Photo of William Gillette
- 4Photo of Arthur Conan Doyle in civilian dress watching a display of rifle shooting
- 5Photograph of the Study for Sherlock
- 6Photo Arthur Conan Doyle with Jean and Harry HoudinI
- 7The Adventure of the Creeping Man
- 8You Don't Know Sherlock Holmes Yet
- 9Boscombe Valley Mystery
- 10Photograph of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle playing cricket at Windlesham Manor
- 11Adrian and Dennis Boxing
- 12Sherlock Holmes Books in other languages
- 13A Copy of The Study in Scarlet
- 14A Sporting Family
- 15Creating the Ogroshor quilt
- 16Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle on the whaling ship Hope
- 17The Journey across the Tree Bridge
- 18Photograph of Conan Doyle's cricket team
