Library and Archives
The Science Museum Library has an international reputation in the history and the public understanding of science and technology.
Welcome
Welcome to the Science Museum Library & Archives, a major research library for the history and public understanding of the physical sciences and the branches of engineering. The Library is now based over two sites, in London and Swindon, with complementary collections. The Archives collection is also based in the Swindon facility.
Library news
Pilot of Evening Opening at SML London.
Feedback from library users indicates that extended opening hours would be helpful. In response to this SML London is carrying out a trial of later evening opening 13th to 29th May. During this pilot the library will remain open until 19.00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Collections
The Science Museum Library's collections of books, periodicals, microfilms and other material amount in total to some 600,000 items. Where possible, international coverage is aimed for throughout.
Library Catalogues
You can start your research by looking in the Online Catalogue which we have shared with Imperial College Libraries since 1992. It already includes a large part of our holdings and we are hoping to recatalogue the remainder into the database over the next few years.
Services
Information on the services for readers we provide at our sites, and on the delivery service between sites.
Visiting the Library & Archives
The Science Museum Library & Archives is now configured over two sites, in Swindon and London. Private researchers and members of Imperial College London are welcome to use the Science Museum Library.
Brief History
Founded in 1883, the Science Museum Library has had a long and interesting history as a national science library, continuing to provide scientific and technical information to researchers even during World War 2.
