About the RCOT Library

Is the digital Library open?

Yes. The digital Library is open – you can use the online resources now, including e-books, online journals, e-theses and databases.

What services does the digital Library provide?

• Databases: search for journal articles on the CINAHL and Medline databases and access full text articles.
• E-books and PhD e-theses: search for and read e-books and online PhD dissertations via our Library catalogue.  
• Online journals: browse our list of online journals and link through to full text articles.
• Our enquiry service 
• Information skills guides to support you to use our resources.  
• Library catalogue: search across the Library’s resources, including RCOT publications.

What's new about the digital Library?

You can use our Library whenever you want and need to from wherever you are. Access our ever-growing collection of digital resources to support your practice, learning, research and development.

Can I access printed books, journals and other publications?

No, the physical Library space is closed. You can search our e-books, online journals and digital publications in our digital Library including the Library catalogue search.

What has RCOT done with the printed books, journals and other publications?

We've found new homes for many of the books and print resources. These include other libraries, educational institutions, individuals and organisations. We’ve also kept a reserve collection of RCOT (and COT) materials that we hope to digitise in the future. For now, these materials won’t be available for access.

Has RCOT keep any printed books, journals and other publications?

Yes, we’ve kept a reserve collection of RCOT (and COT) materials that we hope to digitise in the future. For now, these materials won’t be available for access.

Can I use the Library services at RCOT’s London headquarters? Can I come and study at the Library?

No, the physical Library space is closed. You can use our services in the digital Library.

Why is RCOT closing the physical Library space?

We want to provide a modern Library and Information Service for all our members to be able to use from wherever they are and whenever they want to.

Our Library has been digital only since March 2020 when we closed the physical Library space due to the pandemic. Since then, you’ve used our Library’s digital resources over 200,000 times.

In our 2019/20 Library survey, you shared you want more digital resources and better access. And that’s what we’re doing with our digital Library. You can:

•     Enjoy our Library from across the UK and world at times that work for you.
•     Browse our list of online journals and read full-text articles.
•     Search for journal articles on the CINAHL and Medline databases.
•     Read e-books and online PhD dissertations via our Library catalogue search.
•     Find support using our resources with our information skills guides.
•     Contact our Library team for support at library@rcot.co.uk.

Will the Library team still be available for support?

Yes, our Library team are here to support you 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday. You can contact them by email at library@rcot.co.uk.

If I have questions or feedback about the digital Library, who can I contact?

You can contact the Library team by email at library@rcot.co.uk. Our team are here to support you 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday.

I want to access historical and archive materials – how can I do this?

We’ve listed the main places in the UK for you to research the history of occupational therapy.

Will there be changes to the Library catalogue? 

As we work towards making our Library a digital resource for members, at first, you’ll notice fewer items in the catalogue. We will add new digital resources regularly. We’re also improving the catalogue browsing experience for you by segmenting search results by format. It will be quicker for you to identify e-books, online journals, e-theses, digital material and RCOT printed items.  

How do I find out where a particular item from the Library has gone?

Contact the Library team at library@rcot.co.uk.

How can I add my doctoral thesis to the Library catalogue?

Contact your old university to ask that they add your thesis to the EThOS e-theses online service.  Let us know once it's available on the site and we can add it to our Library catalogue.