The library service is delivered from the offices of the IFoA in London and Edinburgh. Each site offers quiet, comfortable study space, room for group work and free internet access in the members' lounge. Books covering all areas of professional practice and research are available to borrow.
Library and member lounges remain closed: Limited library lending of books resumes from 4 October 2021
Following the IFoA coronavirus policy, both IFoA Edinburgh and IFoA London member lounges and library areas remain closed to visitors and we apologise for the inconvenience. The IFoA is reopening partially for staff to return in controlled numbers and circumstances from 4 October 2021
IFoA members can now contact us to borrow books again using our library catalogue or by emailing requests to libraries@actuaries.org.uk as we resume lending of some library books, where available, by post or using couriers from the IFoA London office from 4 October 2021. We may have to collect your requests to send them out from the IFoA London office once a week, so apologise that there will be delays to the lending service.
Please see our Library Notices for information about eLibrary resources and services still available during the closure period.
Recall of all Library books borrowed before March 2020
We have emailed all borrrowers of all IFoA library books borrowed before and renewed since March 2020 to request their return of these books to the IFoA London office by 31 July 2021. We will follow up with reminders by letter, and may charge for books not returned after this date and where we receive no response, so that we can replace them for use by other members. We thank all borrowers for their co-operation and support.
Access thousands of books, journals and online resources
The library service has a comprehensive range of online resources available to members 24 hours a day on PC, tablet or mobile device. The new Actuarial Knowledge Hub is a gateway to Journals, papers and eBooks at the cutting edge of actuarial research. IFoA members can log in using their IFoA website credentials here.
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 actuarial practice area, subject or geographic region, and available through the IFoA Library catalogue.
For subject enquiries, we now advise specific searches of the Library catalogue and Actuarial Knowledge Hub for members and other users 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 Service 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.
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 300 online ebooks, 30,000 articles and research papers.
Contact Details
For any library enquiries please contact:
We try to respond to email queries within one working day. Researcher access to historical resources may require notice in advance of visit in order to retrieve items from storage.
Filter or search events
Events calendar
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The Growth Mindset for Actuaries
13 October 2021 - 8 December 2021This practical course is aimed at actuaries at any stage of their career who want to develop their own growth mindset and apply it to their work setting and personal or professional lifelong learning. The content of the course builds on the lecture given by Dr Helen Wright on Growth Mindset as part of the President’s 2021 Lecture series, and will be delivered over a period of 2 months, from mid-October to early December.
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The importance of biodiversity for finance, business and policy is being increasingly recognised. While many studies highlight the overall economic impact that biodiversity loss could have, it is much more difficult to quantify and understand the particular impact that is may have on individual businesses or communities. The management and measurement of these risks is a field where actuaries are well placed to contribute. -
The climate crisis and the degradation of our planet will affect societies everywhere. How we address these threats will require solutions that transcend borders. As a global profession, the actuarial community is well-placed to consider and propose effective risk management solutions to help manage the climate crisis.
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GIRO 2021 Webinar Series
Online8 November 2021 - 19 November 2021
Join leading experts to discuss key issues, emerging ideas and new research across the general insurance sector. -
Proposals for changes to the regulatory framework on climate change and sustainability
11 November 2021This is a free webinar with an expert panel providing their views on the ongoing IFoA consultation for proposals regarding changes to the regulatory framework on climate change and sustainability.
The regulatory consultation sets out, for feedback some proposed approaches that the IFoA are considering in relation to charter commitments under the UK’s Green Finance Education Charter (GFEC) and the regulatory framework, including the Actuaries’ Code.
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Life 2021 Webinar Series
Online22 November 2021 - 26 November 2021
Join leading experts to discuss key issues, emerging ideas, and new research across the Life insurance sector. -
Pioneering Roles for Actuaries in Health and Care
29 November 2021
The role of actuaries within the health sector varies considerably from one country to another, due to differences in the local evolution of health systems and the funding models for health services. -
What next for Mental Health in Insurance?
1 December 2021Content will be aimed at all actuaries looking to understand the issues surrounding mental health in insurance and in particular those looking to ensure products and processes widen access for, and are most useful to, those experiencing periods of poor mental health.
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The Many Faces of Bias
2 December 2021
This webinar looks at the many types of biases, both conscious and unconscious and the impacts they can have in the workplace. Raising our own awareness and understanding of the issues can help us avoid the pitfalls of unconscious bias in particular. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘office banter’ but are we sure that’s how those on the receiving end perceive it and is it ok to go along with it?
The importance of biodiversity for finance, business and policy is being increasingly recognised. While many studies highlight the overall economic impact that biodiversity loss could have, it is much more difficult to quantify and understand the particular impact that is may have on individual businesses or communities. The management and measurement of these risks is a field where actuaries are well placed to contribute.
Join leading experts to discuss key issues, emerging ideas and new research across the general insurance sector.
Join leading experts to discuss key issues, emerging ideas, and new research across the Life insurance sector.
The role of actuaries within the health sector varies considerably from one country to another, due to differences in the local evolution of health systems and the funding models for health services. 
This webinar looks at the many types of biases, both conscious and unconscious and the impacts they can have in the workplace. Raising our own awareness and understanding of the issues can help us avoid the pitfalls of unconscious bias in particular. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘office banter’ but are we sure that’s how those on the receiving end perceive it and is it ok to go along with it?