The LMS Library

How to use the library

Members wishing to use the Library must register with UCL Library to obtain a Library card. Library cards require a passport size photograph and can be provided on the spot at the Membership Desk of the Science Library, but require proof of identity and address – members should read the information at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Library/soc.shtml before making a special journey to the Library to register.

Alternatively, members may register by post and avoid the need to produce identification: a registration form can be downloaded from www.ucl.ac.uk/Library/borapp.shtml, and should be sent with your photograph to the Head of Membership at the address below. Whether registering by post or in person, users should state that they are joining as members of the London Mathematical Society.

UCL Library cards are issued for 12 months from the date of registration. Members with expired cards may renew their cards at the Science Library Issue Desk or by post. Cards for postal renewal should be sent to the UCL Library Services Head of Membership, accompanied by the member's current contact details and an indication as to whether the updated cards should be returned by post or retained for collection in person. Unregistered members will not be refused postal photocopying services (see below), but registration is essential before items can be borrowed.

Services available to registered members

Any item normally available for borrowing by staff of UCL may be borrowed. In addition, members may borrow bound volumes of mathematical periodicals provided they are at least five years old. Members may have up to TEN items on loan at any one time, and may place up to 3 concurrent reservations for material which is already out on loan. Loans may be renewed online or by telephone (provided that they have not been reserved by another Library user and are not overdue).
MathSciNet and certain electronic journals can be accessed from a terminal in the Science Library designated for use by LMS members and other non-members of UCL. Single copies of articles (no more than one article per journal issue) may be printed or saved for the member’s personal use. Printing is charged for at the same scale of charges which applies to members of UCL (currently 5p per page). MathSciNet can also be accessed from the Members’ Room at De Morgan House.
Photocopying is available a do-it-yourself basis on the same scale of charges as staff of University College. Members who are unable to meet the normal printout costs due to financial difficulties should apply to the LMS Librarian (librarian@lms.ac.uk).
UCL Library also provides a rapid photocopying service by post. A copyright declaration form (available here) must be signed and sent to the Library for each item requested before dispatch (a faxed copy is acceptable, provided an original is sent subsequently). For extra speed, copies may be ordered in advance by e-mail for dispatch as soon as the declaration form arrives. The cost of this service is currently 15p per page.
Books may be borrowed by post by registered members of the Library. Requests for this may be made by post, e-mail or fax. There is no service charge; the user is responsible only for the cost of returning books borrowed in this way, and any fines accrued by late return.

Contact details Head of Membership, UCL Library Services University College London Gower Street London WC1E 6BT Telephone: 020 7679 7953 Fax: 020 7679 7373 Email: lib-membership@ucl.ac.uk
Loan and photocopy requests Email: interloans@ucl.ac.uk Fax: 020 7679 2815	Book renewals Online: http://library.ucl.ac.uk Tel: 020 7679 7754	Enquiries UCL Science Library, DMS Watson Building Tel: 020 7679 7789 Email: lmsinf@ucl.ac.uk

Summary of Services and how to use them

Users must register. To register, simply write to the Admissions Officer at UCL Library, asking for an LMS Library Card and enclosing a passport-size photograph of yourself.
LMS members may use the UCL Library in person and have borrowing rights.
The University College Library Catalogue is available online via the Internet. Periodicals are listed by title.
Books may be borrowed by post by registered members of the Library. Requests for this may be made by post, email or fax. There is no charge; the user is responsible only for the cost of RETURNING books borrowed in this way, and any fines accrued by their late return.
UCL Library provides a rapid photocopying service. A copyright declaration form must be signed and sent to the Library before dispatch (fax is acceptable if an original is sent subsequently). Requests received before 11 am will normally be dispatched the same day. For extra speed, copies may be ordered in advance by e-mail for dispatch as soon as the declaration form arrives. The cost of this service is currently 15p per page.

You may print out the Photocopy Request and Copyright Declaration Form from and use it for a request.

Procedures for the Donation of Mathematics Books

From time to time, the London Mathematical Society receives offers of the donation of a collection of mathematics-related books. Often these have become available as a result of downsizing within a library, or are a personal collection that has become available following a bereavement, and the Society is grateful for the generous offers it receives, whatever the circumstances. These guidelines outline the Society’s normal response to such offers, and have been prepared to provide potential donors with a description of the steps that will be taken in order to inform decisions about their donation and, where appropriate, assist with their distribution.

The Society maintains a Library (stored as part of the mathematics section of University College London Library), and is appreciative of opportunities to enhance its collection. Unfortunately, it is often the case that a proportion of the books being offered will either duplicate material already held in the Library or will otherwise be unsuitable for collection, and ultimately these would not be retained under the terms of our agreement with UCL. The Society is aware that this can be upsetting for donors, and the LMS Library Committee has concluded that in the interests of making the best possible use of all potential donations of books, the following procedure should be adopted:

All donors will be asked to provide a list of the books being offered, as this will be an essential tool in deciding the best use of the collection for the interests of mathematics.
With this list provided, the Library Committee will then consider which of the books would be suitable for addition to the Society’s library, and offer to reimburse the donor for the cost of transporting these to London.
Books that are added to the Society’s Library will then be fitted with a bookplate to acknowledge the donation.
For the remaining books, the Society will offer a facilitating service for the owner to advertise books for sale to the mathematical community, and the Library Committee will be pleased to offer advice on guide prices for the remaining books if required.
To this end, the Society will provide (without charge) an opportunity to advertise books available in the Society’s Newsletter and on the LMS website.
The Library Committee will also inform the seller of organisations that provide books to universities in economically developing countries to which the seller may be able to send any remaining books after a fixed period of time. The American Mathematical Society Book and Journal Donation Program is recommended here.

Please note that as the Society itself is unable to store any books (other than those in its Library) or provide any further assistance in their sale, all advertisements referred to in (5) would direct enquiries to the owner and all books would need to be despatched to the buyer direct.

For further information, please contact the LMS Librarian at librarian@lms.ac.uk, or write to:

The Librarian
London Mathematical Society
De Morgan House
57-58 Russell Square
London
WC1B 4HS

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Last changed: 02.11.09