Frequently Asked Questions
We have put together here some of the more frequently asked questions that the Library receives. If you have a question that isn't answered here then please contact the Library on +44 (0) 207 290 2940 / 2941 or email library @ rsm.ac.uk
General
- What are the RSM Library's opening hours?
- Where is the RSM Library located?
- How can I contact the RSM Library?
- What is the Study Centre?
- Who can use the Library?
- Are there quiet study areas in the Library?
- Can I have a meeting with my colleagues in the Library?
- Can I use a mobile phone in the Library?
Library Services
- Can I photocopy at the RSM Library?
- Can I print at the RSM Library?
- Can I use my Laptop at the RSM Library?
- Is Wi-Fi available?
- Does the Library have computer access?
- Does the Library sell books published by RSM Press?
- Does the Library fax things for members?
- I have a list of articles I'm interested in reading, how can I access these articles?
- Can Library staff do a literature search on my behalf?
Borrowing
- How many items may I borrow?
- How long can I borrow an item for?
- Can I renew items?
- How can I reserve an item?
- Will I be fined if a book is returned late?
About the Collection
- What subjects do you cover?
- Do you hold 'x' journal or 'x' book?
- Are your e-journals on the library catalogue?
- You are the only library with this book/journal - can you send me a copy?
- You don't hold this journal/book - can you get it from elsewhere for me?
- How can I suggest that the Library purchase a book/journal?
- Can I donate books to the Library collection?
Electronic Resources
- How do I access the electronic resources such as e-journals and databases?
- What databases can I access as a member?
- Which is the best database for my search?
- I've never searched a database; how do I start?
General
- What are the RSM Library's opening hours?
The RSM Library is open at the following times:
Monday - Thursday: 9am - 7pm
Friday: 9am - 5.30pm
Saturday: 10am - 4.30pmThe Library will be closed on Bank Holiday weekends, though the Study Centre may be available. Please contact the Library if you wish to confirm this.
- Where is the RSM Library located?
The Library is on the 1st floor of Number One Wimpole Street.
Please go to the RSM's how to find us page for details on how to get to Number One Wimpole Street.
- How can I contact the RSM Library?
If you wish to contact the Library then please call either
+44 (0) 20 7290 2940 or +44 (0) 20 7290 2941.Alternatively you can email the Library at library @ rsm.ac.uk
If you wish to contact us on a Saturday, you may receive a reply more quickly if you call us rather than emailing.
- What is the Study Centre?
When the Library is closed, the out of hours IT Study Centre is open on a non-staffed basis, providing access to PCs and photocopying/printing.
To use the IT Study Centre you will need to exchange your RSM membership card for an access card (other official identification is also accepted). This can be exchanged at either the Library during opening hours or at the Henrietta Place reception at other times.
People who have applied to be members of the RSM but not yet been formally accepted must bring the letter they will have received from the RSM as well as other ID.
Guests are not allowed into the IT Study Centre; access is restricted to RSM members only.
- Who can use the Library?
We are a Members only library. If you are a member then please show your membership card to the staff at the Issue Desk.
If you are not a member of the RSM then you can still use the Library for reference purposes by purchasing temporary membership. This costs £6 for half a day (after 1pm or on Saturdays) £10 a full day, £20 a week and £35 a month. The first time you do this, and annually after this, you will need to show us two forms of ID.
- One which confirms your name and address and must be dated within the last two months, e.g. utilities bill, credit card or bank statement, rent book.
- One which confirms your name and signature, e.g. driving licence, passport, bankers/credit card.
- Are there quiet study areas in the Library?
The Library has a silent study reading room on the first floor and 4 bookable individual study carrels on the Mezzanine level. These can be booked in advance by contacting the library.
- Can I have a meeting with my colleagues in the Library?
The Library is not a suitable place to hold any kind of formal meeting. A lounge area on the second floor is available for quiet informal discussion.
Alternatively a small meeting room is available for hire. The rates and booking form are on our website at this page www.rsm.ac.uk/librar/libmeet.php
- Can I use a mobile phone in the Library?
Yes, with discretion and consideration for others using the Library. While we do not entirely ban mobile phones from being used in the Library, we do not allow them to be used in the silent reading room on the first floor.
Library Services
- Can I photocopy at the RSM Library?
The RSM Library has 3 black and white photocopiers. One on the first floor, one on the second floor and another at basement level. Photocopying is free for individual Members . Corporate Library Members should contact the Customer Services Manager to arrange an appropriate rate.
- Can I print at the RSM Library?
There are printing facilities available at the RSM Library. Printing is free for individual Members. Corporate Library Members should contact the Customer Services Manager to arrange an appropriate rate.
- Can I use my Laptop at the RSM Library?
Yes, the library has power points for laptops at several of the desks. There are also cables provided for linking to the internet.
Unfortunately due to the large number of different types of laptops that are on the market we are only able to offer a limited amount of support if any problems are encountered.
- Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes this is freely available for Members. Ask at the Library desk if you need further information.
- Does the Library have computer access?
The Library has PCs available on each of its 4 floors. They have access to the Internet and Microsoft Office packages as well as to our databases, e-journals and Library Catalogues.
We also have an Assistive PC equipped with a magnifying viewer to enlarge documents, software which can read aloud recognised text and an enlarged keyboard, screen and mouse.
If you need to use this PC and would like to book in advance then please contact Library staff who can facilitate this for you.
- Does the Library sell books published by RSM Press?
The Library does have a small bookshop where you can buy a selection of RSM press books. We only sell these onsite and do not offer a delivery service.
If you wish to order any RSM Press books for delivery then please use the RSM Press website.
- Does the Library fax things for members?
No. If you wish to fax something then please ask at Domus Reception.
- I have a list of articles I'm interested in reading, how can I access these articles?
If you want to read an article but you aren't sure if we hold the journal then you can firstly check our e-journals list by logging into the Members Only Area of the website.
If it isn't available here then you can check the Library Catalogue to see if we hold it in the Library so that you can come in and read it.
If you wish us to send you a copy of the article you can contact our Document Delivery team who can fax or post articles to you. Prices for this service start at £3.
- Can Library staff do a literature search on my behalf?
Our team of professional literature searchers can carry out searches using a wide variety of resources. Please refer to the following webpage for more information: www.rsm.ac.uk/librar/libsearc.php
Borrowing
- How many items may I borrow?
Members may borrow 8 items at any one time. Those who have applied to join the RSM but not yet been formally accepted may only borrow items once they have become full members of the RSM.
- How long can I borrow an item for?
Books can be borrowed for 4 weeks and journals for 2 weeks. We do not allow journals to be borrowed for one year after they have arrived; the exceptions for this are the JRSM, Lancet, BMJ, JAMA and NEJM.
- Can I renew items?
Yes. Items may be renewed up to three times by telephone or by email. After this the item must be brought back to the RSM Library to renew the loan should you still need the item.
If an item has been reserved by another member then it will be unavailable for renewal.
- How can I reserve an item?
If the catalogue shows that an item is on loan to someone else then you can contact the library and the item can be reserved for you. We will notify you when it comes in and hold it at the desk for two weeks, or post it if you would prefer.
- Will I be fined if a book is returned late?
No, but if a book is over 6 weeks late we will issue an invoice for the replacement cost of the item as well as a £10 administration fee. This administration fee remains payable even if the item is subsequently returned.
We send two overdue reminders to people with overdue books: one after one week and one after three weeks before we issue this invoice. If books are not returned on time or invoices are not paid, we will withdraw borrowing privileges and access to services until the matter is resolved.
Library Collection
- What subjects do you cover?
Information regarding the focus of the RSM Library's collection is available on the following webpage: www.rsm.ac.uk/librar/libcat_coll.php
- Do you hold 'x' journal or 'x' book?
If you would like to see whether or not we hold a book or journal then please use our online catalogue available on the website.
- Are your e-journals on the library catalogue?
The e-journals are not yet listed on the catalogue. To see what we hold please log into the members' only area using your membership details.
- You are the only library with a book/journal i need - can you send me a copy?
We only loan items directly to members of the Society. If you are affiliated to another library then you can ask that library to apply for the item on an inter library loan.
We can send copies of articles or chapters to people. Please refer to the website for further information on this service.
- You don't hold this journal/book - can you get it from elsewhere for me?
We have an Inter Library Loan service available to members. Please refer to the website for further information on this service.
- How can I suggest that the Library purchase a book/journal?
Please email the Collection Management department regarding suggestions for the collection: collection.management @ rsm.ac.uk
- Can I donate books to the Library collection?
Although we do welcome suitable donations we are unable to accept everything due to space limitations. Please see our donations guidelines. Please contact our Collection Management department with a list of the items you wish to donate on +44 (0) 20 7290 2935 or email collectionmanagement @ rsmac.uk
Electronic Resources
- How do I access the electronic resources such as e-journals and databases?
To access the databases and e-journals available to you as an RSM member, simply go to the members only area of the website and log in using your surname as your username and your membership number as your password.
- What databases can I access as a member?
Information about the databases available to you as members is available here: www.rsm.ac.uk/librar/cddatabase.php
At the top of the page are listed those databases which are available freely to members and below are examples of those which can be searched on your behalf at a cost.
Our search team can carry out searches on all of the databases listed for a charge.
Contact details are also available on the web page.
- Which is the best database for my search?
Information about the database coverage is summarised briefly on our website at the following page: www.rsm.ac.uk/librar/cddatabase.php
If you need further information then please contact litsearch @ rsm.ac.uk
- I've never searched a database; how do I start?
If you have never searched a database but you wish to learn how to, there are PDF helpsheets available for printing out at www.rsm.ac.uk/librar/cddatabase.php
Also, members can book free individual tutorials with one of our experienced database searching staff. These last about an hour and information is available on this web page: www.rsm.ac.uk/librar/databasetut.php
We also offer Information Skills Training Workshops at both beginner and advanced level as well as an Evidence Based Medicine course. Further information is available on the website at the following page: www.rsm.ac.uk/librar/training.php

