Lloyd's Register has taken delivery of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology's (IMarEST) library, giving the collection a secure new home and assuring its preservation for the future.
The historic IMarEST collection – which consists of more than 390 linear meters of material – now resides at Lloyd's Register's offices on Fenchurch Street in London.
"Like our own collection, the IMarEST library is one the great resources still available for current and historic information concerning maritime history, marine engineering, naval architecture, offshore engineering and ocean technology. It was absolutely vital that this collection be preserved to continue to provide the public with a rich sense of one of our traditional industries," said Richard Sadler, Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd's Register. "Part of our mission as a UK-registered charity is to advance public education within the engineering and technological disciplines. It is through acts like this that we continue to fulfill that mission."
The IMarEST was established in 1889 and is the largest international membership body and learned society for marine professionals with over 15,000 members worldwide. The move was made necessary by IMarEST's relocation this summer to smaller premises, which would not have had room to house the collection. By offering the library a new home at the Lloyd’s Register Information Center, the organization is ensuring that this important resource remains available to the public and to the institute's members.
Against a backdrop of widespread library closures in London and with many specialist collections under threat, hosting such an important resource ensures that part of IMarEST's heritage remains available to provide researchers with marine engineering, technical and scientific knowledge.
The collections are open to the public Monday to Friday between 09:30-12:00 and 13:00-16:30. Further information can be found here: www.lr.org/about_us/shipping_information/IMarEST_Collection_at_LR.aspx