Science Museum Library closes to prepare for new research centre

The Science Museum has announced the closure of its Library, currently based in Imperial's Central Library in South Kensington.

The Library will close from Monday 3 February 2014 as part of the Museum’s wider plans to create a new research centre.

The move follows an agreement between the two institutions that will free up the current space for Imperial to use for its own activities while paving the way for the development of the Museum’s new centre. The centre is scheduled to open in autumn 2015 and will bring the Museum’s Research and Public History Department together with access to its library and archive collection.

Read more about the new research centre

The Science Museum Library, which houses collections including histories of science and technology and biographies of scientists and engineers, will discontinue its service from 09.00 on Monday 3 February. Work by Imperial’s own Library Services team is underway to support College members who would ordinarily access the collections. This includes a review of the materials used most frequently to identify any resources considered essential for the College’s collections, as well as working with the Science Museum and other London institutions that can provide alternative access to relevant materials.

Imperial’s Director of Library Services, Chris Banks, said: “The Science Museum’s new research centre is exciting news and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them. As their library services won’t be available from early February until the new centre opens we want to ensure Imperial’s Library Services are able to support members of the College community in  accessing the materials they need. Imperial Library staff are on hand to advise and assist members of the College so please do get in touch with your librarian or come in to the Central Library to discuss.”

Imperial has begun a review to explore potential uses for the area vacated by the Library, led by the Associate Provost (Institutional Affairs).

Simon Harding-Roots, Imperial’s Chief Operations Officer, said: “Space on this campus is at a premium, so freeing some up through the new arrangement will be incredibly helpful for our teaching and research activities.”