The Norwich Library

Institute of Actuaries Library (Napier House)
Napier House, 4 Worcester Street, OXFORD 0X1 2AW
Tel. + 44 (0)1865 268 206/207/208 Fax. + 44 (0)1865 268 211
email: libraries@actuaries.org.uk

The formation of an actuarial library was one of the original objectives of the Institute. In January 1990 current books and periodicals moved with the Actuarial Education Service (now IFE Ltd.) to Napier House, Oxford, where they form a teaching and research library. Most pre-1960 publications, including the special collection of books and manuscripts, remain at Staple Inn.

The collections

The Norwich Library aims to acquire core information on actuarial science together with information on insurance (life and non-life), reinsurance, pensions, employee benefits, social security, investment, corporate finance, health and care, risk management and other new areas into which actuaries are moving. The library also acquires statistical publications on demography, economic indicators and market information. The majority of the library's materials are in English, although other languages are represented.
A monthly list of accessions to all three libraries is available on our website.

Serials

Sets of the UK, North American, Australian and Scandinavian actuarial journals are held, together with other statistical and insurance research journals. Journals of other overseas actuarial bodies are held at Staple Inn. Transactions of the International Congress of Actuaries are held from the 17th (1964) onwards together with Proceedings of the AFIR Colloquia. A full list of journals and their locations can be downloaded.

Demographic statistics

The Library subscribes to the series published by the Office for National Statistics which provide data on fertility, mortality, morbidity and population projections. Population Trends offers further analyses and commentary. Research journals in demography are held at Staple Inn. Life tables for many countries are held. Where no life tables are available, limited mortality data can be provided from the UN Demographic Yearbook. UK Interim Life Tables are also available via this link.

Economic statistics

RPI figures can now be obtained from the Bank of England and extensive economic data can be found in UK National Accounts ('The Blue Book'), Annual Abstract of Statistics and Economic Trends, all published by the ONS. Sources of commentary include Economic Trends, Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, and Bank of England Inflation Report.

Market data

The library maintains a file of FTSE Actuaries Share Indices and FTSE UK Gilts Indices. Historical figures for FTSE Actuaries Share and FTSE Government Securities Indices (originally Actuaries Investment Indices) are available on microfilm from 1928. A long term perspective is provided by the Barclays Equity-Gilt Study and Pension Fund Indicators published by UBS Global Asset Management.
FTSE Gilts and Equities data is also available via the Knowledge Portal.

Social statistics

The Library subscribes to titles like General Household Survey, Health Statistics Quarterly, Population trends, Mortality statistisc, Cancer statistics, and other statistical material.

Law and regulation

Looseleaf compilations include Financial services law and the Pensions legislation service (also available on CD-Rom). Also: Securities & Financial services law, Bodily Injury awards study, etcetera.