College of Optometrists

Yes, 26 of the 39 current periodicals are available electronically. 22 of these, and six non-current titles are available by logging in with an Athens username and password. Athens is a service that allows you to use a single user name and password to access the range of electronic resources that an organisation subscribes to. Members who would like an Athens username and password should contact the Librarian.

Yes. Members and Fellows may borrow up to 4 items, and students and Pre- registration trainees can borrow 2 items at a time, for a period of 28 days. Loans may be renewed four times, by telephone, email or online, subject to the item not having been reserved by another member. Fines are charged on overdue items.

Members of the public may visit the library for research and references purposes by prior appointment, for a small charge: £10 for one day, £20 for one week, or £35 for a month. Please contact the library for further information. Optometrists who are not College Members will not be permitted to use the library in this way.

The College maintains a subscription to British Standards Online, which enables Members to have access to the full text of the Standards relating to optometry. This subscription allows Members to read on-line, temporarily download, or print out any of the standards which fall within the subscription parameters. Members can access British Standards Online via the College website by following the link from the Members Area. No further log in is required, provided you have logged in to the College website.

Check the A-Z journal holdings list to see if we hold the journal for the relevant year. Please remember that we cannot supply more than one article from any one issue of a journal, or make more than one copy of an article. 

Print out, complete and sign our our photocopy request and copyright declaration form (top right of this page) and return it to the library by either:

• email: scan the  request form pdf and attach it to the email  
• fax to: 020 7766 4348
• post to: The library, The College of Optometrists, 42 Craven Street, London, WC2N  5NG.

Charges

Resources held in the library:

• members: free of charge
• university  and pre-registration students: annual cost of £5, payable with the first request
• non-EEA students  and non-members: £7 per article.

British Library:

• £8 per article (not available to non-EEA students or non-members).

Fines for overdue books are charged at the rate of £1 per book, per week. Borrowers who do not return a book after 3 reminders will be charged for the cost of a replacement copy and administrative costs.

Requests for information regarding optometric literature and general reference enquiries are accepted by telephone, letter, or e-mail. Please contact the College Librarian, Margaret McGovern on 020 7766 4352 or by e-mail. For historical enquiries not directly related to the library collections please contact our Museum Curator, Neil Handley on 020 7766 4353 or by e-mail.

Books listed in the catalogue, but not immediately available, may be reserved. Books not held in stock can be borrowed from the British Library for a charge of £13.00. Suggestions for additions to stock are welcome. Please speak to the Librarian.