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Getting Started With the Library for NHS Staff

Quick overviews on key library services for NHS staff

Books, journals and databases

As a library member, you have access to the nationally funded e-resources by NHS England, as well as Imperial's collections. Most online resources require an OpenAthens login - you can read more about this on the Accessing Online Resources page of this guide.

Finding resources

The NHS Knowledge and Library Hub is your gateway to online resources. The hub connects you to high-quality knowledge and evidence including: 

Databases: AMED, BNI, CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, HMIC, Medline, PsycINFO, Social Policy and Practice, and Trip Pro.

Journals: We subscribe to a wide range of journals and you can browse our collection via Browzine. If you are looking for a specific article, we recommend you search the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub.

e-books: e.g. Kortext, Oxford Medicine Online and Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines. 

Clinical decision-making tools: e.g. Nice Guidelines, BMJ Best Practice, Royal Marsden Manual and Dynamed (Chelsea and Westminster Trust only).

Accessing Imperial resources

Your membership also allows you to access Imperial resources when you visit one of our libraries. Use one of our networked PCs in the library, or connect to our WiFi to browse Library Search for journals, e-books, bibliographic databases and point-of-care tools, that are not available via NHS OpenAthens, including UpToDate, Scopus and Web of Science.

Once you receive your library card, you will have access to our entire physical collection, which includes books and resources on a wide range of healthcare topics. We also have a wide range of fiction and recreational reading materials. 

Finding print books

Use Library Search to find out if an item is available. Note the location and shelf-mark to find your book. Our libraries have signage to highlight different sections by shelf-mark. If you are unable to find a shelf location, speak to a staff member at the desk

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I request a library book which is on loan or at another campus?

If a book is on loan or at another campus library, sign in to Library Search to request it and it will be sent to your home library.

How do I borrow and return books?

You can borrow and return books at any Imperial library. We have self-service machines or you can speak to our team at the help desks. 

How many books I can borrow?

NHS staff can borrow up to 20 items for 3 weeks and students on placement can borrow up to 5 items for one week.

What if the library does not have the book I need?

If we do not have the book you need, you can:

As well as academic resources, we also have collections designed to support reading for fun and wellbeing. From fiction to cookbooks, biographies to graphic novels, we aim to have something for everyone. 

Libby - borrow recreational e-books and audiobooks for free

Libby is an app, provided by Library Services, for reading e-books and audiobooks on your mobile device. You can access Libby either via Overdrive or by downloading the Libby app and logging in with your NHS OpenAthens account.

You can search Libby for any title and if it's not in our collection use the 'Notify me' button to request it. Alternatively, you can request multiple items through our online recommendations form. 

Physical books

You can search for a physical book by using Library Search. If you can't find the book you want, you can request it for purchase by filling in our book suggestion form.