Access
The Library is open to the public for reference and research purposes only.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm. Requests for items will be accepted until 4.30pm.
Children under the age of 16 are not normally admitted unless accompanied by an adult.
The Librarian reserves the right to refuse admission.
Identification
On their first visit, readers must produce an identification document with a photograph, proof of address and must complete a registration form. The information provided on this form will be entered on our computerised database of Library users.
Acceptable photographic ID includes:
- A current passport
- A photo card driver's licence
- A photographic British Library or university ID card
Acceptable proof of address includes:
- A utilities bill, not more than three months old
- A current year Council Tax bill
- A bank or building society statement, not more than three months old
Readers should sign the visitors' book on their first visit and on all subsequent visits.
Identity badges (issued at Reception) should be worn at all times.
Security
Library material must not be removed from the two Library rooms.
Bags and coats must be left in the lockers provided. Readers may bring personal study material into the Library using the clear plastic bags issued. Laptops and other personal items are brought into the Library at the owner's risk. No responsibility can be accepted by the Royal Society for any items lost, damaged or stolen.
Rare and archival material: one item at a time will be provided for consultation. Items should be returned to the duty librarian after use, or when leaving the reading rooms.
Conduct
Readers should be considerate towards other Library users, and should behave in a way that does not disturb them or prevent them from carrying out their research.
Mobile phones must be kept switched off while in the Library. Personal stereos must not be used.
Food and drink must not be consumed in the Library. Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the Royal Society building.
Theft or deliberate mutilation of materials will result in prosecution.
Handling material
To conserve and protect material for the benefit of future readers, please note that:
Documents should be handled with great care. Please use book cushions and leaded weights to hold down pages ('snakes') whenever necessary - supplies are available on request from the member of staff on duty.
Hands should be kept clean - moist alcohol-free wipes are supplied on study tables.
Only lead pencils may be used in the Library.
Documents must not be marked in any way, and must not be leant on while reading.
Notebooks must not be laid on documents while taking notes, and tracings must not be taken.
Files of loose papers must be kept in the order in which they are presented to the reader.
Copyright Compliance
Copyright on published material is protected for 70 years following the end of the year of the author's death. Copies can be supplied for research or private study purposes only, on completion of a copyright form. Readers seeking to copy material for other purposes are obliged to obtain clearance from the copyright holders. Permission is required to reproduce any of the Library's resources.
Copying services
For conservation reasons, the Library does not provide self-service copiers. All photocopying is at the discretion of the member of staff on duty. Photocopies can be made by the member of staff on duty. Please ask for current prices and copyright restrictions.
If an item cannot be copied for conservation reasons, photography can be arranged for a fee. A scale of charges is available upon request.
Flash photography is not permitted. The use of digital or other cameras (without flash) is permitted at the discretion of the member of staff on duty, and subject to the completion of a photography form.
Electronic resources
Web browsing is restricted to sources of information relevant to your research. Charges apply for printing. Recreational use of the Internet is forbidden, and access to external email accounts is not available.