Borrow and renew
RSM members can borrow up to eight books and journals at any one time.
The Library
Our library holds clinical and research material for over 50 specialties, and it is also your gateway to a wealth of digital resources, online courses, webinars and tutorials, which you can access from anywhere in the world. Plus our brilliant library team can help you with everything from literature searches to information skills training.
Our Library
You can learn more about the RSM's rich Library collection by watching our videos.
If you have any questions about visiting the Library, email us at library@rsm.ac.uk.
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:30am to 6:00pm
Friday: 9:30am to 5.30pm
Weekends: Closed
Archive collection
Dating back 200 years, the Library houses a rich and varied archive collection, offering a fascinating insight into the history of the medical profession.
Search e-resources
Access our online resource of e-books, e-journals, six medical databases, including ClinicalKey resources.
Information skills training courses
The Library runs information skills training webinars throughout the year. Learn how to carry out literature and database searches, and undertake comprehensive training in our critical appraisal and research methods course.
Document delivery
Our document delivery service is an easy and convenient way to gain access to chapters from books, journals and articles held in the Library collection.
Literature searches
Utilise the skills and expertise of our librarians to carry out literature searches on your behalf, including biomedical and scientific databases.
Exhibitions
Come and see one of our Library exhibitions, which are free to visit and open to the public.
First Wednesday tours
Join us on a guided tour and learn more about our historic library. These 30 minute tours take place on the first Wednesday of each month and are free to attend. The tour includes an introduction to the historic home of the Society, a guided tour of the Library and an opportunity to visit the current Library exhibition.
Using the space
You will need your membership card to access the Library. If you are not an RSM member, a temporary pass can be purchased online. This gives you drop-in access to the Library for reference purposes only.
Using the space
There is free Wi-Fi throughout the building and each floor of the Library has access to power points if you wish to use your laptop. You are welcome to use your mobile with discretion in the Library, though we ask that you refrain from using them in the silent study areas. PCs are also available to use, located on the 1st and 2nd floors.
Food and drink may be brought into the Library (although strong smelling foods are prohibited) and there is a tea and coffee machine on the 2nd floor.
Printing, photocopying and scanning
On the 1st and 2nd floors of the Library there are printers that can also be used for photocopying and scanning.
Study areas
Desk spaces can be found throughout the Library for work or study. Silent study rooms are available free of charge. To book a study room, email library@rsm.ac.uk.
Library lounge
Located on the first floor, the library lounge offers relaxed sofa seating and meeting space with Wi-Fi and laptop points. Just a few steps from the library’s reading room, the lounge is the perfect spot to take a break from studying, grab a hot or cold drink, make a telephone call or have a short Zoom meeting. The lounge is available during the library’s opening hours.
Reading rooms
These are for individual quiet study and are not suitable for online meetings or telephone calls. There are eight PCs with access to internet, databases, Office 365 software and printing services.
Study carrels
Study carrels offer space for individual private study (carrels number six and seven can accommodate two people), can be booked one week in advance and are available during the library opening hours. To book a study carrel email library@rsm.ac.uk.
If you require a space for group study or working, the Library has several meeting rooms available for hire, some of which come with interactive PCs and whiteboards. To find out more about hiring a meeting room, visit the 1 Wimpole Street website.
Out of hours study space
Available from 7am until 11pm, the glass-fronted study room outside of the library on opposite the lifts is available for quiet and group study during the day and becomes an out-of-hours study area after the library has closed. The Lounge Bar is also available for late-night study between 11pm and 8am, including weekends.
Should you need books from the collection, these can be ordered by 5.30pm Monday-Friday and can be made available for collection at Domus reception.
Become a Library member
Library membership is open to everyone and offers the chance to browse and borrow from our collection for reference purposes and make use of our library working spaces. Everyone who is a full member of the Royal Society of Medicine automatically gains access to the Library, including our online resources.
Library Institutional membership
Open to companies and healthcare organisations looking to provide staff with access to the Library collection and resources.
Library Pass
Buy a temporary library pass to 'drop in' and use the Library for reference purpose only. Weekly and monthly passes available.