Arrange your visit
For the time being, as we settle in, any visits will be by prior appointment. Please email library@royensoc.co.uk with any questions or to arrange your visit.
We hope to welcome you soon!
Access our library catalogue here
Founded in 1833 to meet the research needs of Members and Fellows of the Society, the RES Library holds 12,000 books, 800 journal titles, and 50,000 reprints covering all areas of entomology and related areas, with a focus on specialist material less likely to be found in general collections. Our rare book collection includes 1,500 titles, from 1609 onwards.
While the library and archive are currently closed to visitors, we are still offering remote services. Contact the Librarian by phone on 01727899387 or email at library@royensoc.co.uk if you have an enquiry, scan request, or book suggestion.
Details of how Members and Fellows can access a selection of entomology e-books via CABI Digital Library can be found on our Member Resources Page. (Login required.)
The majority of our Archive collections can be searched via the National Archives Discovery catalogue.
Our Library Acquisitions Policy can be read here.
Plate from Donovan, E. 1800 Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of India
Plate from Merian, M.S. 1730 Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium
Folding plate from Barbut, J. 1781
The Genera Insectorum of Linnaeus
Library on tour at Ento 22 in Lincoln
President Jane Hill (centre) and Past President Helen Roy (left) admiring a work by Maria Sibylla Merian, as shown by RES librarian Rose Pearson (right)
Some of our historic collection
Need help tracking down that hard-to-find article? RES Library can help.
We hold a unique collection of specialised material on aspects of Entomology and related subjects, much of which is not held elsewhere, and not accessible online. RES members have access to our collection of over 800 international journal titles and 50,000+ reprints, and if we don’t hold it in our collections, we can order (almost) anything you might need through our connections to other libraries and our inter-library loan scheme. Your membership comes with 10 free scans annually.
Please e-mail your copy requests to library@royensoc.co.uk using the Copy request form
For copying costs, please see the Copy Fees.
Where material requested for copying is not available within the library, we will endeavor to obtain it elsewhere, for which there may be additional charges.
De Tigny 1831 Histoire Naturelle des Insectes
Members of Harpenden Botanical Painting Group viewing a selection of our 18th century illustrated Entomology books
The Obligations Book
The Book of Obligations is a living history of the RES and a continually evolving part of the Society. The book was first signed by the founders of the Society in 1833 and is still signed by Fellows to this day.
Signing the book at Ento22
Signing the book at Ento23
Signing the book at Ento24
Signing the book at Ento25
To help preserve the book and make it more accessible, it was recently digitised by Wiley Digital Archives and is available to view as part of their Environmental Science and History Collection.
Partnerships with other Societies
We are committed to offering services to the entomological community and to our partnerships with the British Entomological and Natural History Society (BENHS) the Amateur Entomologists Society (AES) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) If you would like to access RES library services as a BENHS, AES or ZSL member, please email library@royensoc.co.uk
Suggest a library resource
Do you have a book, journal, resource or other suggestion for us? Fill in the form below and let us know why you love it.
