Order items from the National Maritime Museum's Library and Archive collections to study in the Library’s Reading Room using the Aeon request system.

Using the Aeon request system, you can:

  • Order items in advance of your study visit
  • Keep a record of items you may wish to see in the future
  • Keep a record of items you have already seen
  • See the status of your items

Book a visit

Ordering items for a specific date and time has been resumed - this can be done when finding an item in our catalogues and clicking on the 'Request this Item' link. 

Currently, we do not require each researcher to confirm their visit, however, when you order items this essentially 'books' a research table. When you arrive at the library for the first time, please ensure you have two forms of ID (not digital) and we will complete your registration. Please note: we no longer issue paper tickets. 

Please see the register to visit page.

What materials can I request?

All of the collections held in the Library and Archive collections can be requested via your Aeon account. This includes modern and rare books, journals, pamphlets, manuscripts, charts and maps, and some prints and drawings.

Ship Plans: If you would like to access the plans collections in person, please email plansandphotos@rmg.co.uk. 

To request a digital copy of plans, please see this page: Order copies of ship plans. For more information, please see this page: Ship plans collection.

Order scans from the Library & Archive collection: For more information, please see this page: Caird Library remote copying service.

How do I find the items I want to see?

The Library and Archive collections are available to search online:

Find out more about the Library & Archive collection

Some prints, drawings, sea charts and maps are also available to view online via the Museum collections portal.

Search the Archive catalogue

Search the Library catalogue

How do I request items for research?

Aeon allows you to request up to ten items in advance. All the items you order are now delivered in one batch to the reading room on the day of your visit. 

  1. Register for a three-year Reader’s Ticket using the Aeon Caird Library and Archive Ordering System.
  2. Search our online collections to find the items you wish to request.
  3. Click the ‘Place order’ or 'Request this Item' button on the item profile page to add it to your request list (the Aeon login screen will appear the first time you do this).
  4. The Notes field of the Aeon request form can be used to indicate which issues of journals you require, or a specific date or enclosure from a manuscript item. Staff can see the notes that you enter on each transaction; however, please send an email to the team if you have an enquiry. 
  5. View and check the items you have requested, and repeat the process as required.
  6. Select the date and time you wish to access requested items at the Caird Library and Archive.
  7. When you’ve finished your order, click ‘Submit request’.
  8. In your Aeon account, click on the 'All Requests', which will display the requests you have made and keep a history of your orders. 

Register to visit

Request and delivery times

Delivery times for items in store at the Museum is normally before the day of your visit. We receive one delivery per week for items stored off-site.

Items stored at the Museum

  • All items will be delivered to the reading room in the Library for the 10 a.m. opening time
  • Order times: for 10.00 am, order by 12.30 pm the previous day and for 2:00 pm, order by 12:30 p.m.
  • Requests for prints, drawings, sea charts and maps should be requested via library staff as these are a manual order. 
    • Please note: items from these collections require 48 hours for retrieval.
  • To request books, journals and periodicals from the library catalogue, the same Order Times apply. 

Items stored off-site

  • To request items stored off-site, this requires twelve (12) days' notice

Note: Some items stored at the Museum and off-site can only be viewed by appointment, including some sea charts and maps, prints and drawings.

Contact us

If you have any questions or queries about requesting an item from the Caird Library & Archive, contact us.

Email: library@rmg.co.uk

Tel: 020 8312 6516

Item delivery schedule

The delivery schedule for most items stored at the Museum and off-site is listed below.

  • Museum stores Tuesday to Friday - two deliveries per day
  • Off-site stores - one delivery per week (requires twelve days' notice)

Can I save items in the Aeon system to request later?

You can save items for future use in the Aeon request system using the ‘Keep For My Review’ option. To access a request that you have placed into the ‘Keep for My Review’ folder:

  • Log in to the Aeon system
  • Click on ‘Review Requests’ in the left-hand menu
  • You can complete a new item request from this screen using the date and time feature.

Can I extend a request?

Items that have been requested and viewed on one day can be held overnight for viewing the next day.

To do this, request the item you want to study for a second day in the Aeon system, and select the following days date in the calendar. When you return the item after the first day of study, inform staff at the Library Issue Desk that you wish to study it again tomorrow.

What if the item I request isn’t available?

Once you've placed your request using the Aeon system, the Library team will check its availability. If there is a problem with accessing the item, the team will contact you by email to inform you of the issue.

If the item you wish to study is not available to order via the online Library and Archive collections and the Aeon system, contact the library team.

Email: library@rmg.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)20 8312 6516