FBA Library

The FBA collection of information on freshwater science, built up over 70 years, is probably the world’s finest Library on freshwater science, covering all aspects of freshwater ecology, phycology, microbiology, invertebrate taxonomy and ecology, sediment and water chemistry, aquaculture, fisheries management, pollution and hydrology. The strength of the ‘grey’ literature and collections of reprints arranged by subject make it an ideal resource for researchers and students.

The main Library at Windermere is in three areas:

• Pearsall Library – books, reprints and incoming journals, in the main building,.
• Periodicals Rooms – periodicals, in the Annexe, with older or lesser used material in the Basement Stacks.
• Unpublished Collections – Annexe and Basement.

A satellite library at the FBA’s East Stoke site in Dorset is especially rich in information on rivers.

Catalogues
The catalogue includes books, journals and reprints. Members of the Association visiting the FBA at Windermere can search the digitized catalogue of library holdings also the older card index. Entries from 1985 onwards are digitized. Entries before 1985 are partly digitized. Individual chapters of books, papers from conference proceedings and relevant papers within journals are indexed up to 1996. The library also has access to commercial abstracts and indexes, including Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts and World Water Resources. Alphabetical listings of journal holdings are available at Windermere and East Stoke and on the Journal Holdings page of this web site.

Studying in the Library
Any Member of the Association may come and use the Library and Fritsch collection – please contact us beforehand to arrange a convenient date and time. We are open weekdays from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (4.00 pm Friday). Members are entitled to free use of the Library for up to one week a year, with the agreement of the Director. Photocopying and computing facilities are available. Items may be borrowed but not removed off-site.

Literature Searches
FBA Library Staff can carry out literature searches on any aspect of freshwater science.

Document Delivery
FBA Members can request photocopies of any article from the extensive FBA library holdings. Using pre-paid forms, you can request articles from journals, conference proceedings and book chapters (up to 10% of any monograph). Documents are sent by first-class post (airmail for overseas members). A pack of forms can be ordered by contacting the Librarians. 

Unpublished Collection
Part of the library is an Unpublished Collection, including the archives of scientists, data, scientific equipment, specimens and samples. For access, please contact Library staff.