Our London library houses excellent collections of histories of science and technology, including biographies of scientists and engineers.

Opening times, directions and facilities

The Library in London

Registered members – 24 hour opening during Imperial College termtime (closing every Friday 23.00 – Saturday 10.00)
New visitors and those without a membership card – applications for membership can be made during Imperial College staffed hours (Monday – Friday 08.30 – 21.00, Saturday 10.00 – 18.00, Sunday 11.00 – 19.00)
For seasonal variations to these hours see Imperial College Central Library’s opening times
Science Museum Library staff are available to help you Monday to Friday 10.00 to 17.00.
For instructions on applying for a reader’s ticket please see Imperial College Library’s advice on admissions

SML London map

The Library is on Level 3 of the Imperial College London Central Library which is situated on the Imperial College London campus in South Kensington, London SW7, just around the corner from the Science Museum.
For a single visit, you need only show personal identification and sign the Visitors' Book at the Welcome Desk, and staff will issue you with a Day Ticket. If you intend to visit more often, you must apply for a Library Admission Card.
Imperial College London and the Science Museum reserve the right to refuse admission to their Libraries, and to close the Libraries at any time if circumstances make it unavoidable. Whenever possible, we will display notices and publish a warning on the web sites to give advance warning.

There is a cafe just outside the Library but within the Central Library building, alternatively visitors may wish to walk round the corner and make use of the range of visitor facilities in the Science Museum itself.