- Main Library: When you may access the Reading Room & Galleries. The Cafe area will be in a different location when the Library is closed, please ask at Reception on the day
- Members' Room: When you may access the Members' (computer) Room
- Library Staff Available: When Library staff are available to assist you
The following information may change at short notice.
Please note that the Library & Members' Room will be closed on Friday 20th December 2019 and will be closed throughout the Christmas & New Year period to re-open on Thursday 2nd January 2020.
9 - 13 December
Main Library |
Members' Room | Library Staff Available | |
Monday | Closed | 9.00 to 5.00 | 9.00 to 3.30 |
Tuesday | Closed | 9.00 to 5.00 |
None |
Wednesday | Closed | 9.00 to 5.00 | 9.00 to 3.30 |
Thursday | Closed | 9.00 to 5.00 | 9.00 to 3.30 |
Friday | Closed | 9.00 to 5.00 | None |
16 - 20 December
Main Library |
Members' Room | Library Staff Available | |
Monday | TBC | 9.00 to 5.00 | 9.00 to 3.30 |
Tuesday | Closed | 9.00 to 5.00 |
9.00 to 5.00 |
Wednesday | Closed | 9.00 to 5.00 | None |
Thursday | TBC | 9.00 to 5.00 | 9.00 to 3.30 |
Friday | Closed | Closed | None |
Advance requests
If you know the material you wish to view and you're planning on visiting on a day when there is no Library Access and/or no Staff Available, please submit an Advance Request.
The request should be submitted before your visit when the Main Library has been open and when a member of Library staff has been available.
E-mail the Library with the title, year, volume number, shelf mark and page number (for journals); or title and Item ID (for books). This information can be found on the Journal Locator and Library catalogue. Remember to include your name, membership number and date of visit.
Upon confirmation of your request, we will have the items ready for you in the Members' Room.
Discover what the Library collections have to offer or start using the Library catalogue now to browse the collections or find a particular item.
When a small group of chemists met in 1841 to form the Chemical Society, one of the original objects for the society was 'the formation of a Library of scientific works'. From a small collection of books, the Library rapidly grew to become one of the finest single collections of works on the chemical sciences in Europe.
Today's collections consist of the virtual (accessible via our Virtual Library) and the physical. The physical collections house loanable books and journals and reference items. The Historical Collection is available both physically, in Burlington House, and online, through our Publishing Platform.
If you are able to visit the Library at Burlington House, we provide a Members' Room with four computers as well as free wi-fi and tea & coffee. Please ensure to check our opening times prior to your visit.
The majority of services are for members-only but if you are not a member, we may still be able to assist so please ask.
Historical enquiries
One of our most widely accessible enquiry services, not solely for the use of members, is the historical enquiry service.
As more people are keen to research their family history, they sometimes come across information to suggest that an ancestor was a past member of the Chemical Society or Institute of Chemistry; if this proves to be true, we can often provide some information.
Not limited to genealogy, we can also help with a wide range of biographical enquiries of scientists and more general history on the chemical sciences.
The Royal Society of Chemistry's Biographical Database can be used to search for information (mostly obituaries) on individual chemists and other scientists.
Technical enquiries
Whilst unable to provide a detailed or technical search for information, we have many resources available to assist you. The main resources can be found in the Virtual Library) or you could search the Library catalogue or the Publishing Platform.
We would also recommend looking through the Directory of Consultants to locate someone with the expertise to help you.
M25 access scheme
The M25 access scheme allow members to visit and borrow library material from other participating institutions.
Under this scheme, members can access the collections of other academic institutions and in return their members have access to the collections of the Library of the Royal Society of Chemistry (some restrictions may apply).
If you wish to take advantage of this scheme, please contact us for further information or visit the M25 website for conditions of access and a list of participating libraries.