READING ROOMS
The Library's Main Reading Room, on the first floor overlooking St James's Square, provides a congenial, studious and silent place for members to work. In the North Bay each of the desks has an electrical supply and free Wi-Fi so members may use their laptop computers, and there are shelves for members to leave books for ongoing consultation. The Reading Room houses an outstanding collection of reference books and displays a wide selection of the latest issues of periodicals, journals and magazines. In addition, there are workstations providing access to the Library's growing range of electronic publications as well as free access to the internet. The Prevost Reading Room on the first floor and the Lightwell Reading Room in the basement also provide Wi-Fi equipped reader spaces.
FINDING BOOKS AND INFORMATION
The quickest method of finding a book is to find it in the catalogue and note down both the shelfmark and the alphabetical position of the book within the shelfmark (indicated by 'shelved under' in the catalogue entry); this will lead you to its exact place on the shelves. Staff are always on hand in the Issue Hall to give further assistance if required. The Library's online catalogue contains details of all books and periodicals acquired since 1950, and records for earlier material are constantly being added. For complete coverage of pre-1950 acquisitions, please also consult the Library's printed catalogues.
CLOAKROOM FACILITIES
Members are asked not to take bags and cases beyond the Issue Hall. Lockers are available for members’ use; keys for the lockers are available from Reception. Transparent bags are available for those needing to carry possessions into the Library. Opposite the lockers is an area where coats and umbrellas may be left at members’ own risk.
FACILITIES FOR MEMBERS WITH DISABILITIES
A platform wheelchair hoist is available at the Mason’s Yard entrance to the Library; all of the main public areas of the building, including the Reading Rooms, are served by the lift, but many of the book stacks are not wheelchair-accessible and not all are served by the lift. However, there are staff always on hand to provide assistance by retrieving books from the book stacks. There is also a large-screen monitor in the North Bay of the main Reading Room for the use of members with visual impairment.
NON-MEMBERS
The Library building is normally open to members only. Please notify reception staff in advance if you are arranging for a non-member to meet you at the Library.
