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 historically important IMarEST collection – which consists of more than 390 linear metres of material – now resides at Lloyd’s Register’s offices on Fenchurch Street in London.

Lloyd's Register Information Centre - Location Map

“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 Centre, the organisation 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 this unique part of IMarEST’s heritage remains  available to provide researchers with marine engineering, technical and scientific knowledge.

“The Institute is delighted that our incomparable collection will be housed in such ideal surroundings, remaining in the City of London, and open to all our members and to a wider audience interested in marine affairs,” says IMarEST’s Interim CEO, Fiona Morris.

“In addition to thanking Lloyd’s Register on behalf of the Institute, I would like to pay particular tribute to the hard work of James McRae, the Institute’s Information and Knowledge Manager. He has worked with Lloyd’s Register to ensure the smooth transfer of our vast collection from Coleman Street to Fenchurch Street, harnessing online tools to ensure all members are kept fully informed, and is now driving forward institute plans for future online services. He has done a magnificent and highly professional job.

“We are extremely proud of our collection in its new and very permanent home and look forward to making use of it on a regular basis and meeting many of our Members when they visit the Lloyd’s Register library.”

The IMarEST will continue to provide its members with information and knowledge services and a virtual library online providing e-books. It will also continue to hold the institute’s publications and some current specialist books.

Lloyd’s Register’s historic archive and library was founded in 1852 at the bequest of Principal Shipwright Surveyor Augustin Francis Bullock Creuze, FRS, and a founder member of the first Royal School of Naval Architecture. Nestled in the heart of the City of London, the organisation’s information centre provides access to its historic archive, plus a full collection of the Lloyd’s Register of Ships — dating back to 1764 — and associated publications and material.

“This is a great opportunity to combine our collections, each complementing the other, and to build upon the good work undertaken by the information staff of both IMarEST and Lloyd’s Register,” Information Centre Manager Barbara Jones said. “There is a significant amount of work involved in maintaining an active archive and library, so we are ensuring that further resources are made available to assure a successful amalgamation of our two collections.”

The collections are open to the public Monday to Friday between 09:30-12:00 and 13:00-16:30.