Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine

The College Library was known as the Lyon Playfair Library after Lord Playfair of St Andrews (1818-1898), a Chemistry lecturer at the Royal School of Mines and statesman. The Haldane recreational library, was named after Richard Burdon Haldane, MP, (1856-1928) who was involved in the formation of Imperial College. On developing a close working relationship with the Science Museum Library, the national library for the History of Science, the libraries collectively became known as the Central Library, whilst maintaining their individual identities. The Imperial College Library Committee was later know as the Union Library Committee.