Dr Williams's Library

[2] Its site moved frequently, until the acquisition of its present home, University Hall in Gordon Square,[3] in 1890.

[4] In addition to its theological holdings, the library contains collections of philosophy, history, literature, and related subjects.

The library is known to researchers of history and genealogy for its holdings of pre-19th century material relating to Protestant nonconformity in England, including papers by Dissenting minister Joshua Toulmin.

Among the other Nonconformist texts in its collection are a variety of editions of Unitarian revisions of the Book of Common Prayer.

[6] The library's director, David Wykes, commented:[7] The library has been proud to own this remarkable copy of Shakespeare's First Folio, but its sale will secure the finances of the library and safeguard our important historic collections of manuscripts and printed books for future generations.Amongst its aims was that, for a small fee, it kept a central registry of births mainly (but not solely) within non-conformist families, to avoid the necessity of having to have a child baptised in the Anglican church.