About the library

Founded in 1847, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers is an independent professional body and learned society. It strives to improve the world through engineering by developing engineers, promoting engineering, informing opinion and encouraging innovation.

The Institution's library collection has evolved throughout its life to become one of the strongest specialist engineering libraries in the UK, holding unparalleled collections relating to mechanical engineering. These range from extensive scarce nineteenth- and early twentieth-century works to current reference works and British Standards. The Library’s collections are particularly strong in landmark engineering reports, journals and conference proceedings (IMechE, CIMAC, FISITA), which are difficult to locate elsewhere. The archive includes collections of personal papers from important engineers and engineering companies.

We cover the industry areas of manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, railway, process engineering, power systems, pressure systems, biomedical engineering, building services and waste management. Core subject areas include: machine mechanics, machine design, mechanisms, kinematics, fluid dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, combustion, power drives, materials, energy production, product design, machine tools, project management, tribology and finite element analysis.

The local library catalogue is available online.

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers also contributes to the Archives Hub. To browse descriptions of their archive materials, visit their Archives Hub information page.

British Library inter-library loan codes

Library code

LO/R60

Policy code

G4

For an explanation of these codes, and for more information on arranging inter-library loans, see the inter-library loans page on the British Library website.

Accessing materials

Can I see live document availability on Library Hub Discover? No.

Can I obtain items via inter-library loan? Yes - subject to the library's local lending policy. See their website for details. You must request an inter-library loan via a library of which you are a member. Talk to your own library staff for advice on ordering an item.

Can I visit the library to view materials? Yes - see the library's website for access details. If you wish to visit it is advisable to contact the library in advance, to ensure that they can accommodate you and that the material you need will be available.

Location

Browse all of Institution of Mechanical Engineers Library records in Library Hub Discover here.