| What's in the Library? More than 65,000 books and 3000 journals. 2,000 new books are added annually. As well as books and journals, conference proceedings, seminars, there are IEEE standards and journals and BSI (British Standard Institute) standards. The library reading room has access to databases such as BSI standards online and IEEE Xplore. Members (only) have remote access to electronic books and journals. We have up to date publications on the latest hot topics and by contrast, as the library was founded in 1880, some of the stock is of significant and unique historical value.
Top What subjects does the Library cover? All aspects of electrical engineering, electronics, manufacturing, computing, IT, biomedical, telecommunications, control and related subjects such as physics, management, mathematics including historical aspects of these topics. Top How can I find out whether you have the publication I want? The online Books and Journals catalogue is available on the website. It shows status information, so users can see immediately whether a title is already on loan, and allows many self-service functions to be performed. These self-service functions require members to be logged in to the Web site. Loan requests are placed by selecting the required titles and clicking on the "Request" button. Reservations for items on loan can be placed by selecting the required titles and clicking on the "Reserve" button. Clicking on "My Stuff" allows users to review "Current loans", "Loan history", "My overdues", "Current reserves", and place requests for "renewals". Members of other engineering institutions can borrow books, but they are asked to contact the library at libdesk@theiet.org. You can also phone the library on +44 (0) 20 7344 5461, email us at libdesk@theiet.org or visit the library in person. We'll help as much as we can whatever way you contact us! Top Who can use the Library? Members and other UK engineering institution members (with whom we have an agreement) may borrow publications that are available for loan.
Non-members are welcome to use the library for reference purposes only. A Library-only membership is offered to non-members. Top How do I become a member and how much are the subscriptions? Advice on becoming a member is available from the Membership Department. Subscription rates vary according to your age and grade. Top
When can I visit the Library reading room
and is it possible to browse?
Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm (UK time)
The following are available for browsing in the library reading room: -
Books published from 1980 onwards -
Popular journals -
All the Institution's journal -
Most IEEE journals, proceedings and transactions. -
Other ad hoc journals such as IRSE The rest is still available to you - just ask the librarian who will get it for you from another location within the same building. It only takes a few minutes. Top Where is the Library reading room and what are your contact details? | The Institution of Engineering and Technology
2 Savoy Place
London WC2R 0BL
(Nearest underground stations
(within 10 minutes walk or less) are
Embankment, Covent Garden, Waterloo or Charing Cross.)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7344 5461
Fax +44 (0) 20 7344 8467
Email: libdesk@theiet.org
Website: www.theiet.org/library
Top |  |
What if I'm living overseas? Our services are open to all members world-wide, please see our FAQ for overseas users which gives advice on how to get the most out of the library. Top
If I'm a member how many publications can I borrow and for how long?
Members residing in the UK may borrow up to 10 items at a time. Members residing outside the UK may borrow up to 3 items at a time. Journals and BSI standards cannot be borrowed (they can be viewed in the library reading room only). The initial loan period is for 4 weeks. If you wish to extend your loan, you can do this on the online catalogue or contact us and if no one has reserved the item, you can borrow it for a further 4 week period. After 5 renewals (usually approximately 6 months) we will want to see the book in the library reading room but you can still continue to borrow it after this time if no one else has reserved it. Top
How do I try and extend the loan period on my books? Phone: +44 (0) 20 7344 5461
Email: libdesk@theiet.org
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7344 8467
In Person by visiting the library
Send a letter (see contact details above)
Use the online renewals form Members who are logged in on the website who click on "My Stuff" on the library catalogue page, can review"Current loans", "Loan history", "My overdues", "Current reserves", and place requests for "renewals". Top
Can books be sent to me? Yes, if you use the online catalogue to find the book/s you want to order it generates an email to the library desk and you can ask for the item to be sent to you or you may indicate that you will come and collect. You will need to be logged on to the website for us to process your order. We will email you back (usually the same day) to let you know if we are able to send you the book. Books are sent by 1st class post if in the UK or recorded delivery if outside the UK. Allow a little time for delivery, particularly if you are not in the UK. Members must bear the cost of the return postage to the Library, by recorded delivery. The library only pays the cost of sending the book/s to you. If convenient, they can of course be delivered back in person to the library during opening hours. Top What if a book is on loan to someone else? You can reserve it and when it is returned we will contact you so you can collect it or we can send it out to you. There is a facility on the online catalogue form to reserve books Top If you do NOT have a book which I need can you get it for me? If you are a member residing in the UK we can often get books for you (which are not in our stock) from the British Library or another library. There is a charge for this external loan service. If you have any queries contact the document supply team libdesk@theiet.org or phone on +44 (0)207 344 5449 or fax on +44(0) 207 344 8467 Top Can I buy the Institution's publications from the Library? Yes, but only if you come in person to the library (otherwise go direct to publication sales). We sell the current titles published by the Institution. We take credit or debit cards, cash or cheque. There is a 20% discount for members. We only sell books published by the Institution.. Top Are there any electronic journals and electronic books
available in the library? Full text Institution and IEEE journals/standards/conferences dating back to 1988 (often even further back) are available on a database in the library reading room. Full text articles through E-journals Library are available by remote access to members only. Over 7,000 journals and other sources of information are covered and can be searched using simple key word strategies. Members need to log in to the website to access this service A table of contents database gives the contents pages only of several thousand journals allowing you to search for articles in your field of interest. This is available to members only who need to contact the library for a password. Free electronic journals (available on the Internet) relevant to your field of interest are listed on our website. These can be searched from any Internet connection worldwide and do not require log on or membership number. Members only have remote access to Knovel - an interactive full-text database of over 400 scientific and engineering books and Books 24x7, a collection of 200 information technology books from major technology publishers. Notes: 1) Where remote access is mentioned this means access can be obtained from any internet connection world-wide.
2) When access is only available to members this means that members must first log in to the website. The only exception to this is the "table of contents" database (see above for details). Top Are there any Standards available online? Yes, BSI and IEEE standards. These are subscription-based databases and can only be viewed from terminals in the library reading room. Top Is there a self-service photocopier in the library reading room? Yes, coin operated and the current charges are 10p per A4 page, (20p per A3 page) Top Can articles be photocopied for me? Yes, There is a photocopying service for which there is a small charge. Please read our advice on copyright legislation. Articles within our stock are available to non-members at a higher charge. Members and clients who have had a literature search may order papers through us from the British Library. There is a photocopy request form on our site - please complete as much bibliographic detail as possible. If you have any queries contact our document supply team libdesk@theiet.org or phone +44 (0)20 7344 5449 or fax +44 (0) 20 7344 8467. Top Is there anyone who can do some research for me? Yes, The technical help for engineers service can undertake small-scale research. For example, a search for papers on a specific topic (a literature search) obtaining market data, company searches or industry specific websites. A charge is made if your enquiry is complex, takes time or involves costs our end. This service is open to non-members. Preferential rates apply to members and special discount rates apply to student members.
Web sites reviews are websites which we think may be useful to our members. Two of these are reviewed bimonthly. If you'd like us to review a particular site please get in touch. If you would like further details on either of these services please email The technical help for engineers service searchservice@theiet.org or phone +44(0)207 344 8429 or fax +44 (0) 20 7344 8467 or use the online enquiry form. For enquiries on the history of technology and the history of the Institution, please contact the Archives at archives@theiet.org. Top What else is available if I visit the library? | 
