Science Museum Research Centre

Dear colleague,

As a scholar working in the broad field of the history of science, technology and medicine, you will be interested to hear about developments in access to our library and archive collections. We are delighted to be able to announce that next year we will be opening a new research centre at the Science Museum’s South Kensington site, which will be designed to provide ready access to our book, serial, archive and other paper-based collections. It will also provide a congenial atmosphere for academic work on the Museum’s collections and concerns, and for our developing research enterprise.

In preparation for this, it will sadly be necessary for us to close our current library in London, and to enable this to happen effectively, regrettably we will be closing our reading room within the Imperial College Library on 3 February. During the period of closure, it will continue to be possible to access our unique collections at our Wroughton reading room by appointment every Tuesday and Friday (see http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about_us/collections/science_library/visit_library_wroughton.aspx )

The new Science Museum research centre is one outward sign of the Museum’s strengthened commitment to research and scholarship, which is also visible, for example, in the establishment of our Research & Public History Department and its programme of collaborative doctoral studentships and research projects, of which you will be aware.

Although there will certainly be some unfortunate disruption as we make the transition to our new and enhanced provision, we feel confident that you will agree with us once the new Centre is open that this is a most positive resolution to uncertainties about our Library collections, and we look forward to working with you in the new facilities in the future.

We will post updates on our website at: http://95.129.105.40/about_us/collections/science_library.aspx

With best wishes,

Tim

Dr Tim Boon,

Head of Research & Public History