Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where is the Library?
2. How can I contact the Library?
3. Who can use the Library?
4. Do I need to make an appointment?
5. Can people borrow books on my behalf?
6. Can I borrow by post?
7. What about overseas members?
8. How many books can I borrow?
9. How long is the loan period?
10. How can I renew my books?
11. Are there any fines or charges?
12. What happens if I lose a library book?
13. What if you haven't got a book I want?
14. Do you have British Standards?
15. Can I view The Structural Engineer online?
16. How do I request a photocopy?
17. Can libraries borrow items?

1. The Library is located in the basement of the Institution's headquarters building at 11 Upper Belgrave Street, London SW1P 3AA (click here for directions).

2. By phone: 020 7201 9105
   By email
   By fax: 020 7201 9118
   In person

3. The Library is intended for the use of all grades of members of the Institution. Non-members may use the Library by appointment if they cannot find the information they need elsewhere.

4. No, but there is restricted study space in the Library so groups of student members and any non-members are requested to make an appointment in advance.

5. If you want someone to borrow or collect a book on your behalf you will need to authorise this first yourself - either by phone, fax or letter.

6. Most of the stock is available for loan by post but at the discretion of our Library staff. Occasionally we may insist that items are returned to us by recorded delivery. It is appreciated if you can refund our outward postage costs.

7. We currently only loan book to members resident within the European Union but we can photocopy or fax material all over the world, within the restraints of copyright law (see 16).

8. You can borrow up to three books and up to three items from our reports and standards collection at one time.

9. The loan period is four weeks and you can renew books up to two times.

10. Either by phone, email or fax.

11. There are normally no fines for overdue books but if we have to send you a third overdue letter you will be charged a £20 fine.

12. You are responsible for replacing the book if you lose or damage it once it is your possession. Please contact the Library immediately if this happens.

13. We may suggest an alternative source to try or, borrow it on your behalf from the British Library (for which there would be a charge) or, if it is a book the Librarian thinks we should have, we will consider purchasing it.

14. Yes, we try to keep an up to date set of structural engineering related ones and keep any superseded editions. They are available for loan to members.

15. Institution members and journal subscribers can view the full text of The Structural Engineer back to and including 2001 via The Structural Engineer website and clicking on "Previous papers & indexes".

16. Photocopies are supplied according to the requirements of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and the Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003. Click here for guidance on requesting a photocopy from the Library.

17. Libraries can borrow up to ten items at a time. There is a charge of £5.50 for each item borrowed which can either be debited from their British Library account or they can choose to set up a deposit account with us. Click here for a deposit account form.