The following visits are mostly arranged for Thursday 6 July 2000, the day after the conference has closed. The details below are correct at the time this list is produced in March, but may be changed closer to the day.

Bookings for these visits will be made during the conference, and not before, except in the case of those outside London.  Click here for details of who to contact for visits outside London.

This is not a comprehensive list of visits. Other visits are anticipated to academic libraries, health information services and a public library. Full information will be available at the conference, but enquiries can be taken before that date by Dorothy Husband (for the Visits Subcommittee) on Dot.Thorney@tesco.net, or by fax to Dorothy Husband, Laxton Library, Peterborough District Hospital on +44 733 347142.

OUTSIDE LONDON: OXFORD
 A series of tours have been arranged at centres of excellence in Oxford. These are:
 

LONDON VISITS:
 

This Service is concerned with the detection, diagnosis, surveillance and prevention and control of infections and communicable diseases. Its HQ, principal research and epidemiology facilities are at Colindale, plus there is a network of c 50 laboratories throughout England and Wales. The Central Library specialises in medical microbiology and infectious diseases, and offers services to PHLS users wherever they are based. There is a strong commitment to current awareness services, with a weekly Library Bulletin, monthly HIV and Food 
microbiology bulletins. SDIs from Medline and the Library database are popular. Journals are circulated on and off site. The Library takes 250 current journal titles, some available
elecronically to users on site, and has extensive back runs. 

NIBSC Library.  Time to be announced
http://www.nibsc.ac.uk/divisions/library/doc1.htm

It is the in-house Library of the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control. The Institute is responsible for the standardization and control of products used in medicine,
and for associated research. It also provides advice to and experimental support for work of the Department of Health regarding licensing and control of biological substances as well as 
contributions to the work of the British and European Pharmacopoeias. The Library collection covers the subject areas of the Institute's eight main divisions; AIDS, Bacteriology, 
Haematology, Endocrinology, Immunobiology, Molecular Structure, Virology and Standards Processing. Such diversity of subjects is covered by a collection of over 5000 books and
reports, together with 170 current journal subscriptions. Scientific staff are able to access MEDLINE and electronic journals from their own workstations, and receive journal contents pages and current awareness alerts via e-mail.

NIMR Mill Hill. Time to be announced
http://www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/Library/

This the largest and oldest research institute of the (UK) Medical Research Council, established in 1920. NIMR scientists undertake a broad spectrum of fundamental medical 
research from neurophysiology to structural biology, from developmental biology to mycobacteriology. The Library & Information Service aims to provide timely access to relevant scientific information for all NIMR staff, harnessing the best available tools and technologies. This entails both the provision of resources and helping scientists to acquire skills in information handling. NIMR was one of the first UK libraries to use Medlars and was also the original home of the OMNI project. The Library is a large galleried room with art deco styling, a classic of library design. Some interesting early 20th century medical research material and archival material is held. 

The Bodleian Library Oxford 6 July 2000
Maximum 36 persons, 12 per tour. Tours at 11 am, 2 pm, and 2.15 pm
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/

The Bodleian Library in the University of Oxford is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in England is second in size only to the British Library. In 1598 Sir Thomas Bodley devoted himself to restoring the old University Library. The library is stocked partly by Bodley’s own gift, partly by donations in books and money from various sources. In 1610 Bodley made an agreement with the Stationers’ Company whereby they agreed to send a copy of every book they published to the Bodleian Library.

The tour will include a visit to the Divinity School, built in 1427-83, perhaps the most beautiful Medieval building in Oxford. The Convocation House built in 1634-7. This room housed the Parliament of England during the Civil War 1642-6, and is still used for University ceremonies. The Duke Humphrey’s Library, built 1598-1602, named to commemorate the substantial contribution by Humphrey Duke of Gloucester . This has recently been refurbished and is now a splendid example of an old classical library. The visit will end in the Old Schools Quadrangle.

The visit will last approximately one hour. There will be visits to the Radcliffe Science Library to either precede or follow these visits.

As numbers are limited please let Penny Bonnett know as soon as possible if you 
are interested in going on this visit.
Contact: Penny Bonnett,
BMA Library, British Medical Association,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H
9JP, United Kingdom Tel: +44 207 383 6842
Fax: +44 208 504 4675
Email: penny.bonnett@bma.org.uk

Peckham Library 122 Peckham Hill Street, LONDON, SE15 5JT
Contact: sandra.fairhurst@southwark.gov.uk  Thursday 6th between 2-4pm
More information will be forthcoming.

The Blackwell Science Limited, Oxford 6 July
Maximum 40 persons ( 20 per session.) Sessions at 10.30am and 2pm

Blackwell Science Ltd have been publishing in the UK for over 50 years. The head office is in Oxford while the London and Edinburgh offices specialise in editing and producing journals. Our overseas offices are in Boston, Melbourne, and Berlin. The Danish publishers Munksgaard are a subsidiary company of Blackwell Science. The Company publishes over 220 journals both in print and online and more than 160 new books per year with a backlist of approximately 2,000 titles.

We specialise in medicine (including veterinary medicine), nursing and allied health, life sciences, earth sciences, construction and engineering, and agriculture and fisheries. Our publications include primary research journals, textbooks for undergraduates and reference and handbooks for professionals.

Each session will include:

Introduction and Tour of Blackwell Science Oxford Office

Ian Bannerman (Sales and Marketing Director) or David Sommer (Online Journals Sales Manager)

Martin Clutterbuck (Technical Development Manager) will explain how electronic content is created, looking at the differences between this and the traditional print journal.

Nancy Gerry (Sales Executive) will demonstrate Blackwell Sciences own full-text electronic journal system Synergy, showing the advantages of using HTML rather than PDF text.

An open discussion to gather feedback on what librarians would like publishers to produce in the future: maybe pricing models based on document delivery, or electronic only subject bundles.

As numbers are limited please let Penny Bonnett know as soon as possible if you are 
interested in going on this visit.
Contact: Penny Bonnett,
BMA Library, British Medical Association,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H
9JP, United Kingdom Tel: +44 207 383 6842
Fax: +44 208 504 4675
Email: penny.bonnett@bma.org.uk

Email: penny.bonnett@bma.org.uk .

The Radcliffe Science Library, Oxford 6 July 2000
Maximum 60 persons, 15 per tour. 2 tours at 10 am and 2 tours 3.15 pm http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/guides/rsl/

David Price, deputy keeper and head of systems, will give an introduction "The Radcliffe Science Library: past and present".

The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) is the scientific, medical and mathematics library of the University of Oxford, and since 1927 has been a dependant library of the Bodleian. Founded under the will of Dr John Radcliffe (1652-1714), it was first housed in the Radcliffe Camera (now a reading room of the Bodleian). Known then as the Radcliffe library, it was opened in 1749, and was transferred to the University Museum in 1861.

The present library has an area of 7,647m2 and holds some 410,000 books and pamphlets and 455,000 periodical volumes. It houses all scientific material received by the Bodleian library through copyright deposit. The RSL has a total staff of 60 serving all undergraduates and staff in the science area as well as readers from outside the University.

The tour will last approximately one hour.

As numbers are limited please let Penny Bonnett know as soon as possible if you are 
interested in going on this visit.
Contact: Penny Bonnett,
BMA Library, British Medical Association,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H
9JP, United Kingdom Tel: +44 207 383 6842
Fax: +44 208 504 4675
Email: penny.bonnett@bma.org.uk

House of Commons Library Services, Houses of Parliament

Thursday July 6 9:30 am - 11 am.  More details later.

The Cairns Library, Oxford 6 July 2000
Maximum 40 persons, 10 per tour. 2 tours at 10.30 am and 2 tours at 2.30 pm http://www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/cairns/

The Cairns Library is a leading UK medical school library, housed in an NHS Trust hospital. In addition to providing a service to the staff and students of the Faculty of Clinical Medicine, at the University of Oxford, it also serves the staff of two NHS Trusts and the staff and students of the School of Healthcare, Oxford Brookes University.

During 1996-1998 the library was completely refurbished to provide well equipped, modern accommodation designed to meet the users’ needs, including a card access system, a database area and a training room for user education courses.

Maureen Forrest, Librarian, will give an introductory talk before each tour. The tour will last approximately one hour.

As numbers are limited please let Penny Bonnett know as soon as possible if you are 
interested in going on this visit.
Contact: Penny Bonnett,
BMA Library, British Medical Association,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H
9JP, United Kingdom Tel: +44 207 383 6842
Fax: +44 208 504 4675
Email: penny.bonnett@bma.org.uk

British Library Documents Supply Centre, Boston Spa, near York (Registration Form or pre-booking with Penny Bonnett)

A programme has been arranged for Thursday 6th July for delegates who wish to visit the British Library at Boston Spa. Places are limited, so bookings will be taken on a first-come basis. To book a place please fill in and return the booking form. The closing date for bookings is 26th June 2000. Or contact Amanda King <Amanda.King@mail.bl.uk> for more details.

The programme will include a tour of the site, a buffet lunch, plus demonstrations and discussions on various British Library services. If you have a particular area of interest then please mention this in the space provided on the booking form and we will do our best to accommodate your wishes.

Hospitality transport will collect all visitors from York Station at 11.40, and return them to the station for 17.30. The collection point will be outside the WH Smith book shop on the station concourse, please ensure you are there in time for the 11.40 pickup. The driver will be carrying a sign that says ‘THE BRITISH LIBRARY’.

For information on train times, accommodation and attractions in and around historic York please see the various Web sites below:

www.york-tourism.co.uk York Tourism Bureau

www.thisisyork.co.uk Yorkshire Evening Press, includes information on where to stay and what to see and do in York

www.railtrack.co.uk Train timetable information from Railtrack

www.gner.co.uk GNER train timetables

www.thetrainline.com Train timetable information, plus online booking facilities

The Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine, Thursday 6 July 2000 Sessions start at 10.30am and 2.30pm. Maximum 20 people in each session 
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/en/library/homlib/HOMlib.html

The Library exists to promote understanding of the history and wider social and ethical aspects of medicine. It builds upon the major international collections formed by Sir Henry Wellcome, and still actively developed, to provide research and enquiry facilities which are available to the public and academic communities free of charge.

The visit programme will include tours of both the History of Medicine Library and the Information Service, and will give an overview of some of the fascinating collections held in this Library. A refreshment break will be included.

Through its collections and services, the Wellcome Library provides insight and information to anyone seeking to understand medicine and its role in society, past and present. More than 30 000 readers visited us last year, including historians, academics, students, health professionals and consumers, journalists, artists and members of the general public. With over 600 000 books and journals, an extensive range of manuscripts, archives and films, and more than 100 000 pictures, we are one of the world’s major resources for the study of medical history. We also provide access to a growing collection of contemporary biomedical information resources relating to consumer health, popular science, biomedical ethics and the public understanding of science.

The Royal College of Surgeons of England Museums and Library
Tours on Thursday 6 July at 10.30 am and 2.30pm. 20 people per tour.  Individuals can visit at other times during the conference during usual opening hours (Museum 10am – 5pm. Library 9am – 6pm)
http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/public/infores/librar.htm

We would like to invite visitors to coffee and tea in the Library Rare Books Room during the course of their tour. As we can only accomodate 10 at a time we shall do this while half the group is being given a talk in the Hunterian Museum.

At 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PN.

Tube to Holborn, or many bus routes pass close by. Parking meters are available for cars and coaches.

Tel 0207-869 6555

Lumley Study Centre was established in 1994 to support the modern day requirements of Fellows, doctors and dentists participating in College-based courses, and undertaking College examinations and those with a professional interest requiring materials for independent study.

The College Library is a collection of surgical literature unrivalled in the United Kingdom, if not in Western Europe. It was first opened for the use of Members in 1828.

In 1799, the Government of the day purchased the collection of the great surgeon and anatomist John Hunter FRS (1728-1793). It was placed in the care of the Company (later the Royal College) of Surgeons. Hunter's collection of over 14,000 preparations of human, animal and plant material formed the nucleus of one of the greatest museums of comparative anatomy, pathology, osteology and natural history in the world. By 1941, when the College suffered extensive bomb damage, the Hunterian Museum held nearly 65,000 specimens. Much of the surviving material, including 3,500 of John Hunter's original eighteenth-century specimens, is still on display in four museums within the Royal College of Surgeons of England

The New British Library, St Pancras, 6 July 2000
Maximum 60 persons, 15 per tour. 2 tours at 10.30 am and 2 tours at 2.30 pm 
http://www.bl.uk/

The British Library is the UK’s leading national library and the 3^rd largest national library in the world. The new building, designed by Sir Colin St John Wilson, was opened by Queen Elizabeth 11 in April 1998.

It has eleven reading areas, four exhibition galleries, a bookshop and a fully equipped conference centre. On display are over 2000 beautiful and fascinating items including: The Codex Sinaiticus (c350) ; The Lindisfarne Gospels (c700): The Magna Carta (1215) ; the Gutenberg Bible (1455) and Shakespeare’s first folio (1623).

Dominating the library’s piazza is Sir Eduardo Paolozzi’s statue of Isaac Newton. Paolozzi was inspired by William Blake’s famous image of Newton seated and bending forward to plot with a pair of dividers the immensity of the universe. The statue expresses perfectly the purpose of the library bringing together arts and science in on place for posterity.

The visit will include a short talk by Bruce Madge, head of health care information services at the British Library. The tour will last approximately one hour and will explain the history of the British Library and the background to the new building. It will show the architecture and public works of art and explain how the reading room and book ordering systems function. It will not be possible to visit the reading rooms as they are fully operational research areas, and, for health and safety reasons it will not be possible to take groups to the basement storage areas.

The exhibition galleries are open from 9.30 am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm Saturday and 11am to 5pm Sunday. Those not wishing to take the full tour are welcome to visit the exhibition galleries at any time during these hours.

As numbers are limited please let Penny Bonnett know as soon as possible if you are 
interested in going on this visit. 
Contact: Penny Bonnett, 
BMA Library, British Medical Association, 
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 
9JP, United Kingdom Tel: +44 207 383 6842 
Fax: +44 208 504 4675 
Email: penny.bonnett@bma.org.uk

The British Medical Association Library Tours at 10.30am and 2.30pm Limit to Twenty people per tour 
http://library.bma.org.uk/html/generalf.html

The British Medical Association is a professional association of doctors, representing their interests and providing services for its 122000 plus members. This includes almost 4000 from overseas and 115000 who are medical students. More than 80% of British doctors are members.

The Library specialised in clinical medicine, medical ethics, clinical audit and social and political issues. It is fully accessible on the Internet and offers BMA members access to the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases.

BMA Library
BMA House
Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9JP
Tel: 020 7383 6625
Nearest main line stations: Euston, King’s Cross, St Pancras.

London Underground stations Euston (Northern Line, Victoria Line), Euston Square (Circle Line), Russell Square (Piccadilly Line)

The BMA Library was founded to provide a small reading room for London-based doctors and students. Since then, it has developed from this modest beginning into a complete medical information service for BMA members, wherever they live and work. It plays a vital part in supporting the information services of the NHS, particularly in the area of postgraduate medical education.

During a period in history in which medicine itself and medical librarianship have undergone fundamental changes, the BMA Library’s underlying continuity in outlook and services is perhaps more remarkable than the obvious changes. It still exists to deliver to BMA members the fastest and most comprehensive medical information service that current technology allows. Collections are focused on helping working doctors and surgeons provide the best possible care for their patients; and the links with the BMJ are as close as ever – with the collections underpinned by exchange arrangements and review copies. BMJ staff in turn are the heaviest users of Library services.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Information Centre
http://www.rpsgb.org.uk/infocentre/index.htm

As the professional organisation and governing body for pharmacy, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPSGB) works in a number of different ways to promote development of higher standards of practice and to safeguard public health. The Information Centre comprises the Society’s Library and Technical Information Centre and works closely with the Museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Informal visits for individuals during usual opening hours (10am to 5pm Monday – Friday)

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
http://www.rcvs.org.uk/library/library.html

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the regulatory body for the veterinary profession in the United Kingdom. The RCVS Wellcome Library serves all members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, veterinary nurses and other animal health professionals.

Tours at 11am and 3pm on 6 July

Fawcett Library/ Soon to be The National Library for Women / 
http://www.lgu.ac.uk/fawcett/main.htm

The Fawcett Library, the national research library for women's history, is the United Kingdom's oldest and most comprehensive research library on all aspects of women in society, with both historical and contemporary coverage.

Tours at 10.30am and 2.30pm on 6 July

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Library
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/as/library/libintro.htm

The mission of the L S H & T M is to contribute to the improvement of health world-wide through the pursuit of excellence in research, postgraduate teaching, advanced training and consultancy in international public health and tropical medicine. The Library has one of the most comprehensive collections of books and journals in the field of international public health and tropical medicine, containing some 800 current journals and over 50,000 monographs.

Tours at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm on 6 July

The Royal College of Physicians  http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/
The Royal College of Physicians is easily found, with its main entrance
facing Regent's Park, off Outer Circle, 11 St. Andrews Place, Regent's Park,
London NW1 4LE.

For over 450 years the Royal College of Physicians has played a pivotal role
in maintaining standards of medical practice in hospitals in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland, with the aim of assuring quality care for patients.
The College conducts examinations, training, education and research in
medicine, and advises the Government, the public and the profession on
health and medical matters. 

The Royal College of Physicians libraries and archives have a wealth of
historical material within them, including (eg Caxton's first book, the
Wilton Psalter, all three printed editions of 'Rosa Anglica', the first
medical textbook written by an Englishman [John of Gaddesden], printed from
1490 to 1590). It is also redeveloping the Library and its services to
College Members to reflect the possibilities of information technology.

Visits may be arranged for Thursday 6 July, at times to be advised.

Travel: 
By tube, Regent's Park (Bakerloo line), Great Portland Street (Circle,
Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City lines) and Warren Street (Victoria and
Northern lines) underground stations are only a few minutes walk away.

By train, Euston, King's Cross, St Pancras and Marylebone stations are close
by. Other mainline stations are only a few tube stops away.

Croydon Public Library
The Central Library is at Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET, see http://www.croydon.gov.uk/frame-clocktower.htm 

Croydon Libraries have developed a range of innovative services and projects which have won national recognition.  Croydon has 13 libraries within the borough and brings facilities to 25 other sites via the mobile service. The Central Library is situated in the Clocktower complex where, in addition to a comprehensive library service, there is also a Tourist Information Centre, studio cinema, exhibition galleries, Lifetimes, shop cafe, rooms for hire and the Braithwaite Hall. 

Times and duration of visit: 10.30am and 2.30pm on Thursday 6 July 2000.  Special arrangement, please visit http://www.croydon.gov.uk/index-library.htm .  No restriction on numbers of visitors.