Library services

IFoA Library resources - improving access for all members

As part of our commitment to inclusivity in the member experience and to ensuring that as many member services as possible are available to all, we are continually improving and increasing our library of online resources. Thousands of papers, journals and articles and hundreds of ebooks can be accessed by login to our Actuarial Knowledge Hub or eLibrary portal. It is quick, easy and environmentally sustainable for all members to benefit from these resources.

For those members and researchers who wish to access our library resources in person, we welcome visits to view our historical collections which can be made via appointment by contacting the Library Service. While arranging the appointment, we will clarify the requirements and items needed for the visit, and ensure they are ready and available for access.  

IFoA members can now contact us to borrow books from our loan collections using our library catalogue or by emailing requests to libraries@actuaries.org.uk. We can lend available library books by post or by using couriers from the IFoA London and IFoA Edinburgh offices.  We may have to collect different requests and send books out from the IFoA offices once a week, so please bear this in mind that this can affect delivery time.

Please see our Library Notices for information about the range of digital resources and library services available .

Enquiries, literature searching, and document supply

The IFoA Library Service's New Acquisitions and Subject Search provides links to prepared searches that find new books or journal articles related to the actuarial practice area, subject or geographic region, and available through the IFoA Library catalogue.

For subject enquiries, you can search the Library catalogue and Actuarial Knowledge Hub to compile reading lists of references on more specialist topics, and we will suggest external information sources to complement this where known. The library team offers information and document supply services, including tracing and obtaining materials, biographical information, and assistance with sources for research papers, projects, and dissertations. Please contact the IFoA Library team for assistance.

History and heritage collections

The IFoA's special library collections and archives relate to the origins, creation, and development of actuarial science and practice – a history of some 350 years. Highlights include the historical collections of the Institute of Actuaries and the Faculty of Actuaries, and the Archive of the Equitable Life Assurance Society.

Access to the historical and archives collections is currently restricted, but please contact the Library team if you an enquiry about these collections.

Library catalogue and Actuarial Knowledge Hub

Our library catalogue search has holdings of 20,000 print books and documents, and our knowledge hub has a wide range of 400 online ebooks, 30,000 articles, and research papers. 
IFoA members: please login using your IFoA website member credentials to enjoy access to full text of our subscribed resources.