Abdus Salam Library

Contact us

Chat with Library Services
Monday - Friday 09.30 - 19.00

ASK the Library

as-library@imperial.ac.uk

+44 (0)20 7594 8810

07725 159853 - Text an Attendant for urgent help or to report noise

Information Hub, Abdus Salam 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.

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 - levels 1 and 4
• height-adjustable desks - levels 1, 2 and 3
• an Assistive Technology Room and priority desks for students registered with the Disability Advisory Service

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.

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 an item, use the self-service machines on level 1.

To return items, place them through the slot near the self-issue machines. they will immediately be removed from your account. 

When the library is closed you can return books via the book drop box outside the library entrance.

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. We also hold a number of special collections of historical interest originating from the Imperial's departments and medical schools.

You can borrow whiteboard pens, headphones, keyboards, scientific calculators and coloured overlays at the Information Hub during staffed hours.

Printing

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 are not able to book these PCs. There are a small number of PCs in our Business Zone on level 1 which you can book for using Bloomberg and Moody's only Book a Business PC.

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

If you need to charge your phone please ask to borrow a charger at the Information Hub. We also lend keyboards and mice.

ICT support

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

Eating and drinking

Hot and/or smelly food must be in a container with a lid and may only be consumed in the group study area on level 4.

Drinks without lids may not be brought into or consumed in the library. Users doing so will be required to either remove their drink from the library or surrender it for disposal. 

Water fountains are provided on all levels. Hot water and vending machines are available in the Group Study area on level 4.

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 stairs
• Level 3 - near stairs
• Level 4 - group study area

Study rooms

Open 08.30 - 22.00 (Saturdays open from 10.00). Available to students only.

To book a study room visit Library bookings (sign in with your Imperial username and password).

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

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 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.