Services

The Science Museum Library & Archives is now arranged on two sites, one in Swindon (for original science and engineering including rare books and other special collections), the other in London (for histories of science and technology, biographies of scientists and engineers, and works on their historical and social context). Each site has around 30 study spaces, which are reserved for people using our collections in their studies.

We welcome Museum staff, private researchers, and members of Imperial College London and other higher education institutions. We do not have facilities for young children or families, but we are happy to assist young researchers carrying out their own private study if they need to use our collections.

We operate an Enquiry Desk at each site near the entrance to the reading rooms, so we can welcome library visitors and provide any introductory help you may require. First-time visitors are asked to get in touch before visiting, so we can work out how best to help you.

Library staff can advise on how to carry out your research in the history of science and technology and related subject areas in which we specialise, and give guidance in using the catalogues and collections to find the resources you require.

We also operate an enquiry service to assist distant researchers. We will spend up to 30 minutes checking our catalogues and collections for relevant information for you, and where successful will give you references to help you obtain photocopies, or prepare materials in advance of your visit.

The reading rooms are equipped with self-service coin-operated machines for photocopying sturdy modern materials, but it may not be possible to copy anything rare or fragile. We will advise you on the best method and on the limitations imposed by copyright law.

You may request modern materials housed in Swindon to be delivered for consultation in London. This service is not available for rare or fragile materials such as archives, or books and periodicals over 100 years old, which are only available for consultation in Swindon.