Contact us

Chat with Library Services
Monday - Friday 09.30 - 16.30

ASK the Library

centrallibrary@imperial.ac.uk

020 7594 8810

To report noise or request Assistance from an Attendant text 020 7594 8883 anonymously.

Information Hub, Central Library
Imperial College London
South Kensington Campus
London
SW7 2AZ

We respond to ASK, email and phone enquiries Monday to Friday 09.30 - 21.00 and at weekends. We are closed on Sundays during the summer vacation.

The library is next to the Queen's lawn. If you are a visitor please speak to a member of staff at the Welcome Desk.

About us

Study zones

We provide different types of study space to suit your style of working.

• Silent study - levels 2 and 3
• Quiet study - levels 1, 4 and 5
• Group study - level 1
• Height adjustable desks - levels 2 and 3

Group study, Silent study and Breakout spaces are also available in GoStudy.

Our Library Attendants regularly patrol all floors and will be pleased to help maintain the study environment.

Printing PCs, laptops and iPads

Printers

Printer-copiers are located on levels 1, 2, 4 and 5 - use them to print, scan or photocopy.

All printer-copiers output to black and white (mono), or colour. 

Visit ICT for instructions on uploading documents or topping-up print credit online.

PCs, laptops, iPads, phone chargers

You'll find PCs on all levels. You can book in advance to use the Business PCs.

We have iPads and laptops for students to borrow, see Laptops and iPads.

If you need to charge your phone please ask for a charger at the Information Hub.

ICT support

ICT support is available at the Service Desk on level 1.

Eating and drinking

The Library Cafe is the best place for eating and drinking.

Only drinks with a lid and cold food are allowed beyond the library gates.

Water fountains are provided on all levels.

Phone friendly areas

Please keep your phone on silent wherever you are in the building and only make and receive calls in our phone zones.

• Level 1 - group study area, main entrance
• Level 2 - near staircase
• Level 3 - near staircase

Borrowing books and other items

Our book collection supports taught courses and research. We also hold a wide range of recreational reading both fiction and non-fiction. Books are arranged in classmark order.

To borrow the items above use the self-service machines on level 1. To return them place them through the slot near the self-issue machines or in the book box outside the library.

Pick up your requested items from the Guest PC access room and use the self-service machine to borrow them.

Print journals and theses are kept in the Store and are fetched, on request, by the Store Service. We also hold a number of special collections of historical interest originating from the College's department and medical schools.

Borrow whiteboard pens, headphones and coloured overlays at the Information Hub during staffed hours.

Study rooms

To book a study room visit Library bookings.

Students may book two sessions in any seven days (maximum booking of two hours allowed per day). Please make sure you arrive on time, after 15 minutes Library Services may reassign the time slot to another user.
Non-members of Imperial will not be permitted to enter the library in order to join a group of students who have booked a room without prior permission from Library Services.

Training and meeting rooms

For our training room and meeting room booking policy see Room bookings.