- Who can use the library?
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Full details of who can use the library can be found on our Who can use the Library & Information Service? page.
- Where is the library?
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We are located in the Business Centre in Chartered Accountants' Hall in London.
Visit us at: The Business Centre
Chartered Accountants' Hall
One Moorgate Place
London EC2R 6EA
A map and transport information is available.
- What are your opening hours?
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Our enquiry line is open at the following times:
Monday to Thursday 09.00 – 17.30
Friday 10.00 – 17.30
We advise you to check our opening hours information for details of any seasonal closures or changes in opening times before visiting.
- Do I have to join the library?
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No. Members of the ICAEW are automatically entitled to visit the library and use our services. However, you will be asked for some details the first time you want to use the library to borrow books. You may be asked to show your membership card, and it is recommended that you bring it with you. Members of other bodies should check Who can use the Library & Information Service?.
- Can I send someone from my office to do work for me?
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Yes. If they are not members of the ICAEW you will need to give them a letter of introduction on your headed letter paper. See our Who can use the Library & Information Service? page for guidance and a draft wording.
- Are there study spaces in the library?
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Yes. We have desks and tables which you can work at as well as desks with computers. We also have a quiet study area.
- Can I send faxes?
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Yes. Ask one of the staff at the Enquiry Desk if you would like to send a fax and they will be happy to advise you on charges.
- What computer facilities are there in the library?
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The library has PCs that are available for members to use, with access to a range of digital resources, office software and the internet. You do not need to book to use our computers.
- Can I use the internet?
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Yes. Internet access is available on all library computers. You do not need to book.
- Do you have wi-fi?
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Yes. We offer free wi-fi in the library and Business Centre. Please ask a member of staff at the Enquiry Desk for a voucher or for assistance in getting wi-fi access.
- Can I use email?
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If you already have a webmail account (for example, Hotmail or Yahoo) you can access your web-based email over the internet from library computers. You may not be able to access email from software such as Outlook unless you or your organisation has set up a web access service.
- Can I print from library computers?
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You can make printouts from our catalogue for free, but all other printing is charged at 10p per page. Printouts from certain electronic resources and databases may be charged at other rates.
- Can I use my laptop in the library?
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Yes. You can use your laptop at any desk in the library. If you need access to a power supply, there are a number of desks and tables with mains sockets located nearby. Please note that there is no facility for you to connect your laptop to our network or our collection of digital sources.
- Can I access office software on computers in the library?
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Yes. The PCs in the library are installed with word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
- Can I install or run a CD on library computers?
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No. The PCs in the library are restricted to the catalogue, internet, office software and our digital sources.
- What electronic resources do you have in the library?
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We provide direct access to a range of databases in the library covering accounting, business, finance, law, practice management and taxation from Butterworths, CCH and IBFD. Users can also access the UK and Irish Company Information database from FAME. Due to licensing restrictions, these particular products are not available for direct access outside of the library. We also have a separate collection of e-resources that are accessible online.
- How do I borrow books?
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See our borrowing books page for details on postal loans, on who can borrow books, what can be borrowed, how long loans are for and other loans information.
- Why are some items in store and not in the library?
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The library stocks a large selection of reference and lending titles but, in order to make room for newer books and journals, we keep older material and any additional copies in an offsite store.
- How do I request an item from store?
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Ask a member of the enquiry team to request the book for you. We have deliveries from our store at 12.00 and 15.30 so you should make your requests well in advance of these times, but a minimum of 30 minutes before. If you require a large amount of material from store, it is best to contact us about it several days before you wish to visit.
- Can I send someone to pick up items on my behalf?
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Yes, as long as they have a signed letter from you authorising them to collect the books that you have borrowed.
- How can I get hold of a book if it is not in library stock?
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We can often obtain books not held in the library stock by using the British Library's Inter Library Loan Service. Please contact us for further information and details of the charges.
- Can I have photocopies of books and journals sent to me?
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Yes. We can post, fax or email articles, model documents and book extracts to you through our document delivery service. Charges and copyright restrictions apply.
- Do you sell books?
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We sell a number of titles relating to the history of accounting and regularly put second-hand books on sale that have been withdrawn from library stock – see the discarded books list for more details. Please note that we do not sell ICAEW publications, such as ACA study materials or the List of Members, but we will be happy to advise you about where to get hold of any publications.