Library Information

Please refer to the options below if you are seeking guidance about the Library or alternatively get in touch via the contact details provided.

Access

There is a wheelchair ramp up to the building entrance and a lift to all floors. Entrance doors are automated. There are wheelchair-accessible toilets on the ground and fourth floors.

There is a magnifier and headphones available at the Enquiry Desk. All of the computer monitors are touch-screen. There is a portable induction loop at the Enquiry Desk. Staff can request PDFs of books held by the Library from the publishers upon application.

Contact

Middle Temple Library
Ashley Building
Middle Temple Lane
London
EC4Y 9BT

020 7427 4830
library@middletemple.org.uk

Lending Policy

Who can borrow?	Members of Middle Temple, Gray’s Inn, Inner Temple, and Lincoln’s Inn
What can be borrowed?	Current practitioner textbooks Four week loan books (FOWL) iPads
How long can a book be borrowed?	Current practitioner textbooks: one hour before the library closes, to be returned the next working day by 10am. No renewals. Four-week loan books: four weeks. Maximum two renewals iPads: 1 day or 1 week. One renewal of up to five days if there is no one on the waiting list
Non-borrowable items?	Looseleafs Law reports Journals Rare books Manuscripts, previous editions of practitioner textbooks. Or items as determined by the Librarian
How many items can be borrowed?	Up to 5 practitioner textbooks. 2 four week loan books 1 iPad
What are the fees?	Overnight loans: Free Four-week loan books: Free iPads: £1 per day; £5 per week
Lending of books can be revoked at any time. Failure to return a book on time may result in a revocation of these privileges. Failure to return a book on time three times or more will result in a complete revocation of these privileges. Any book that is not returned will be charged at their replacement value, to be determined by the Librarian.

Library Charter

All users undertake to abide by Library regulations in conjunction with the Library Charter. The intention of this charter is to communicate our commitment to library users and to outline the responsibilities and expectations of all who use the Library.

Middle Temple Library will:

Promote a positive and engaging environment supporting the educational and professional needs of all users.
Maintain the Library service at the highest levels and offer relevant, stimulating, and current materials.
Provide help using library resources and facilities for all users.

Offer a range of legal research training sessions.

Respond to enquiries and comments courteously, in a timely fashion, and treat all users equally with dignity and respect.

Encourage and consider feedback both formal and informal, listening to suggestions for the development of the service and implementing suitable suggestions.
Ensure appropriate use of the service and facilities
Maintain fair and transparent procedures for considering complaints in line with the ‘Middle Temple Complaints Policy’ : https://www.middletemple.org.uk/about-us/middle-temple-complaints-process.

Library users are expected to:

Show consideration for other users and staff.
Treat staff and other library users with dignity and respect.
Respect the Library environment which includes spaces, facilities, and collections.
Alert staff to any issues with the Library service, collections and space – feedback is always welcome.

Middle Temple Library Regulations

Access:

The Library is open to barrister and student members of all four Inns of Court.
Access assumes that one is in good standing with your own Inn library
Non-members, including researchers and scholars will only be admitted at the discretion of the Librarian or the Deputy Librarian. Such requests for admission must be submitted in advance of the requested visit.

Using the Library:

The Library is a place for quiet and comfortable study.

Mobile phones should be in silent mode or switched off.
Drinks with lids are permitted in the Library spaces [unless specifically indicated otherwise].
Smoking and drinking of alcohol is prohibited.

Unattended items will be treated as a security risk and will be removed from the Library.
The taking of photographs in the Library is permitted but please ask Library staff first and do not include other users in the photos.
You may be required to show your Inn membership identification card upon request.
In the event of an emergency Library users must leave the Library as directed by staff. Library Users are asked to familiarise themselves with the posted emergency procedures and in the event of an emergency must leave as directed by staff.

Using the collection:

As a working reference library, only limited overnight loans for members are available.

We ask users not to not mark library materials in any way. This includes using highlighters, pens or pencils in books or leaving post-it notes in the books.
Users must abide by UK copyright law when copying and scanning.
Use of the databases must be within the terms of the Library’s license conditions. Ask staff if you are unsure.

Breaches of the Library rules will initially be dealt with by the Librarian or Deputy Librarian. Continued or more serious breaches will be referred to the Director of Education and Under Treasurer.

Opening Hours

The Library's current opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm.

The Library closes on bank holidays and for a fortnight at Christmas.

Please check our opening hours page for any changes and for Saturday opening.

Tours

Our virtual tour offers a short introduction to the Middle Temple Library, detailing services offered to students and barristers. Click to take a look around the library and learn more about how we can help you.

In person tours are held throughout the year, but members are welcome to get in touch to arrange a tour to familiarise themselves with the collections and services.