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The Library

Our library holds clinical and research material for over 50 specialties, and it is also your gateway to a wealth of digital resources, online courses, webinars and tutorials, which you can access from anywhere in the world. Plus our brilliant library team can help you with everything from literature searches to information skills training.

Library FAQs

Our Library

You can learn more about the RSM's rich Library collection by watching our videos.

If you need any help using the resources or if you just have a question for us, email the Library at library@rsm.ac.uk, or call 020 7290 2940.

Opening hours: 
Monday to Sunday 7:00am - 11:00pm

Staffed hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:30am to 6:00pm
Friday: 9:30am to 5:30pm 

Accessibility at the Library

Close up of books 2023

Borrow and renew

RSM members can borrow up to eight books and journals at any one time. 

Borrow and renew
Library - archive cards

Archive collection

Dating back 200 years, the Library houses a rich and varied archive collection, offering a fascinating insight into the history of the medical profession. 

Archive collection
Searching on iPad

Search e-resources

Access our online resource of e-books, e-journals, six medical databases, including ClinicalKey resources.

Search the e-resources
Two members at computer

Information skills training courses

The Library runs information skills training webinars throughout the year. Learn how to carry out literature and database searches, and undertake comprehensive training in our critical appraisal and research methods course.

View upcoming dates
Document being signed for

Document delivery

Our document delivery service is an easy and convenient way to gain access to chapters from books, journals and articles held in the Library collection. 

Document delivery service
Overview member on laptop

Literature searches

Utilise the skills and expertise of our librarians to carry out literature searches on your behalf, including biomedical and scientific databases. 

Literature search service
Around the world exhibition

Exhibitions

Come and see one of our Library exhibitions, which are free to visit and open to the public.

Exhibitions
First Wednesday tours

First Wednesday tours

Join us on a guided tour and learn more about our historic library. These 30 minute tours take place on the first Wednesday of each month and are free to attend. The tour includes an introduction to the historic home of the Society, a guided tour of the Library and an opportunity to visit the current Library exhibition.

Book now

Using the space

You will need your membership card to access the Library.  If you are not an RSM member, a temporary pass can be purchased online. This gives you drop-in access to the Library for reference purposes only.

Younger members looking at book

Using the space

There is free Wi-Fi throughout the building and each floor of the Library has access to power points if you wish to use your laptop. You are welcome to use your mobile with discretion in the Library, though we ask that you refrain from using them in the silent study areas. PCs are also available to use, located on the 1st and 2nd floors.

Food and drink may be brought into the Library (although strong smelling foods are prohibited) there is a water machine in the Library Lounge on the 1st Floor.

Printing, photocopying and scanning
On the 1st and 2nd floors of the Library there are printers that can also be used for photocopying and scanning.

You are welcome to use these for a small fee, with most items in the collection available for copying, apart from rare books and fragile items. 

Photocopying prices start from 10p for black and white copies and 35p for colour. You will need to set up a PaperCut account to use this service. Please register for an account when you next visit the RSM Library.

Library services price list
Taking book from shelf

Study areas

Desk spaces can be found throughout the Library for work or study. Silent study rooms are available free of charge. To book a study room, email library@rsm.ac.uk

Library lounge
Located on the first floor, the library lounge offers relaxed sofa seating and meeting space with Wi-Fi and laptop points. Just a few steps from the library’s reading room, the lounge is the perfect spot to take a break from studying, grab a hot or cold drink, make a telephone call or have a short Zoom meeting. The lounge is available during the library’s opening hours.

Reading rooms
These are for individual quiet study and are not suitable for online meetings or telephone calls. There are eight PCs with access to internet, databases, Office 365 software and printing services. 

Study carrels
Study carrels offer space for individual private study (carrels number six and seven can accommodate two people), can be booked one week in advance and are available during the library staffed hours (see opening times above). To book a study carrel email library@rsm.ac.uk.

Please be aware of the following usage terms for the carrels:

  • Study carrels are for individual study only (or paired study in one of the two larger carrels). Anyone requiring a meeting room for more than studying purposes, or for more than 2 people, will need to hire a room via our Venue Hire team at enquiries@1wimpolestreet.co.uk.
  • Usage of the study carrels is for members only – and, as with the library generally, there are no guests allowed in a 2-person carrel without purchase of a Library Pass.
  • Study carrels are not sound-proofed in any way so please do not conduct confidential conversations/calls in these rooms without awareness of this or the use of headphones.

If you require a space for group study or working, the Library has several meeting rooms available for hire, some of which come with interactive PCs and whiteboards. To find out more about hiring a meeting room, visit the 1 Wimpole Street website.

Out of hours study space
The glass-fronted study room outside of the library opposite the lifts is available for quiet and group study during the day and becomes an out-of-hours study area during unstaffed hours (see opening times above). The Lounge Bar is also available for late-night study between 11pm and 8am, including weekends. 

Should you need books from the collection, these can be ordered by 5.30pm Monday-Friday and can be made available for collection at Domus reception. 

Member stood reading book

Become a Friend of the Library

The Friends of the Library scheme makes an important contribution to the Library’s conservation programme, which ensures the preservation of our historic collection.

As a Friend, you will enjoy benefits such as the Bi-annual Friends of the Library ebulletin, behind-the-scenes tours of the Library, first-look at our exhibitions plus a free set of botanical postcards. 

Find out more

Become a Library member

Library membership is open to everyone and offers the chance to browse and borrow from our collection for reference purposes and make use of our library working spaces. Everyone who is a full member of the Royal Society of Medicine automatically gains access to the Library, including our online resources.

Library Institutional membership

Open to companies and healthcare organisations looking to provide staff with access to the Library collection and resources.

Library Institutional membership

Library Pass

Buy a temporary library pass to 'drop in' and use the Library for reference purpose only. Weekly and monthly passes available.

Buy a Library pass
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