UK business libraries

PLEASE CHECK YOUR ENTITLEMENT TO USE ALL OF THE LIBRARIES LISTED HERE BEFORE TRAVELLING. You are not automatically entitled to use them all, you may have to make an appointment, you may have to pay to use some, and they may not have what you need, or allow you to use all of their facilities, especially electronic sources. Phone first

Libraries in Oxford
University Libraries
Special Libraries
Public Libraries
Directories of Libraries and information services

Libraries in Oxford

University of Oxford Libraries

Brookes students are not entitled to use College Libraries, including Templeton College, or the Said Business School Library. You may be able to use the following:

The Bodleian Library
We are fortunate to have access to the Bodleian, which is the research library of the University of Oxford. Undergraduates (from Semester 2 of year 2 onwards) and postgraduates who are researching for dissertations may apply to the Senior Subject Librarian (Wheatley Campus) (01865 485851, or ex 5851, or e-mail businesslibrarians@brookes.ac.uk). It is important to realise, however, that access is a privilege, not an automatic right that comes with admission to courses at Brookes, and your application may be turned down if use of the Bodleian is not considered to be appropriate. See the Library handout on Bodleian admission for full details.

Social Science Library
Manor rd., OXFORD 01865 271093 http://www.ssl.ox.ac.uk
Contains stock economics and development studies and statistical series from many countries . Brookes students may use the Library for reference purposes only on production of a Bodleian admission card.

European Documentation Centre
Bodleian Law Library, Manor Rd., OXFORD 01865 271463
This is one of a number of centres, usually located in Universities in the UK which provide all documents, publications and statistics produced by the EC. It is necessary obtain a Bodleian ticket to gain admission.

The County Library: Oxford Central Library
Westgate Centre, OXFORD 01865 810182
Although the business reference collection is not as extensive other collections listed in the Public Libraries section below, a variety of useful sources are available. These include: FT McCarthy, Key British Enterprises, Company Records Office Directory of Dissolved Companies, and Marketplace on CD-ROM; annual reports and accounts of UK companies, and a variety of UK and international directories.

University Libraries

SCONUL Access Oxford Brookes University participates in the SCONUL Access Scheme which provides external borrowing facilities to academic staff and postgraduate research students (PhD, MPhil) in 150+ higher education libraries in the UK: http://www.access.sconul.ac.uk/users_info

The SCONUL Vacation Access Scheme usually allows undergraduate and postgraduate students reference use of other UK higher education libraries free of charge during the vacations of the host institution. If you request admittance to another library you should be prepared to present proof of your status. The production of your University ID/Library card may be acceptable but please check before you go by looking at their web pages or telephoning in advance. Details are available at http://www.sconul.ac.uk/using_other_libraries/vacation.html

Special Libraries

There are many hundreds of special libraries that may be of use to you. Many government departments, trade associations and other official bodies run information services. Below are listed only a few of the most important ones. At the end of this page are listed directories that will help you to find details of organisations involved in your area of research. Please remember to phone to check if you are entitled to use them; there are restrictions on the use of the libraries listed below and those listed in directories.

Chartered Management Institute
Management House, Cottingham Road, CORBY 01536 204 222
The Management Information Centre provides a search and postal book lending service from a wide variety of sources covering every aspect of management. A photocopy service is also provided. Members have access to EBSCO's Business Source Corporate and other online resources remotely. Membership is open to all students, including part-timers and open learners for fees of £75-00 p.a. for part-timers and open learners, and £50-00 p.a. for full-timers at the time of writing.

British Library Business & IP Centre
Euston Road, St. Pancras, LONDON 020 7412 7454 http://www.bl.uk/bipc
This resource has the most extensive collection of market research reports in the UK. Some publishers, however, may insist on an embargo of up to 5 years before reports are made available to the public. The collection is international and is not restricted to the UK. The library additionally holds trade directories, exhibition catalogues, trade journals, and other trade literature, including stockbroker reports. Click on the "Visit us" link on the page above for details of how to obtain a readers pass. All students are welcome at the present time.

Bookings must be made for workstations. Charges are not made for searching databases, but downloading is not permitted. Copy cards must be purchased to print. Electronic sources include:

Company information

  • Bureau van Dijk databases include Fame, also available at Brookes, providing detailed accounts of over 135000 UK and Irish public and private companies. Amadeus provides financial and other details on 1.5 million companies in 32 European countries.
  • Global Reference Solution provides access to Dun and Bradstreet's directory of over 100 million worldwide businesses.
  • Kompass Worldwide has detailed product and service listings for over 1.9 million companies in 70 countries.
  • One Source provides profiles on over 30 million companies and information for 35 million executives worldwide.

Text Sources

  • ABI Inform Global provides full text articles from 2,700 academic and other business journals.
  • Business and Industry reports on companies, products, industries and markets from 1,000 trade and business news sources.
  • COBRA (Complete Business Reference Adviser) is an online encyclopaedia of practical information for anyone starting or running a small business.
  • Dialog Newsroom (Thomson Business Intelligence) provides full text articles from over 11,000 global newspapers, newswires, and trade journals.
  • Directors Briefing and Start Up Briefing provide useful tips on starting and running a small business.
  • World Tourism Organization elibrary has the full text of over 500 tourism reports.
  • Wall Street Journal covers US and international business and financial news (last 90 days only).

Business Statistics

  • Datamonitor MarketLine Business Information Centre provides company and industry profiles for key industrial and service sectors.
  • EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit) Countrydata worldwide macroeconomic indicators and forecasts.
  • EIU.com (Economist Intelligence Unit) includes country profiles, reports and forecast data for over 200 countries worldwide.

Market Reports

  • Business Insights (previously Reuters) also available at Brookes, reports on the global healthcare, consumer goods, finance, technology and energy sectors.
  • Frost & Sullivan in-depth market research and strategy reports on heathcare, chemicals, IT, telecoms, electronics, industry, transportation, aerospace and defense.
  • ISI Emerging Markets provides high quality sector reports, news, country reports and contact information on 50 emerging markets, i.e. developing countries and economies in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe,the Middle East and North Africa. Data from 7,800 publications is provided. Allows users to view the market from a "local" perspective, monitor company, industry and market performance, and keep abreast of current developments and trends.
  • Key Note full text of 1,000 market research reports on the UK.
  • Snapshots 1,700 brief market research overviews covering a wide range of countries and products.
  • Verdict reports cover the UK and European retail industry.

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Chartered Accountants Hall, Moorgate Place, LONDON 020 7920 8620 http://www.icaew.co.uk/
A fee based service is available for non members.

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
151, The Broadway Wimbledon, LONDON, SW19 1JQ 020 8612 6200 http://www.cipd.co.uk/about/library/
A fee based service is available to non members.

Public Libraries

Most public libraries provide a basic service and are generally under-used by the business community. The larger industrial city's central reference libraries tend to provide better services. The UK Public Library web page provides links to internet sites and catalogues, where they are available: http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ac940/ukpublib.html

The following public business libraries are especially worth phoning to see if they can help:

City Business Library
Aldermanbury , LONDON, EC2V 7HH 020 7332 1812 http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Libraries/City_of_London_libraries/cbl.htm
Particular strengths are UK and foreign trade, professional and telephone directories, trade journals and international newspapers. Numerous printed market research reports are available.

Electronic sources include:

Company information

  • Fame (also available at Brookes) provides accounts and other details of over 135000 UK and Irish public and private companies.
  • Mint provides financial details of over 54 million world companies.
  • Datamonitor (available on Business Source Complete at Brookes) provides company profiles, including a SWOT analysis.
  • Kompass is a guide to the manufacturers or providers of goods and services. It can be used to produce mailing lists.
  • Mergent is an international database providing profiles of companies, including financial details.
  • NewsUK and Business UK provide articles from newspapers.

Country information

  • Economist Intelligence Unit Country Reports (available on Business Source Complete at Brookes) are the benchmark reports on the state of economies worldwide.
  • Economist Intelligence Unit Country Commerce Reports (available on Business Source Complete at Brookes) cover every aspect of doing business with countries.
  • Euromonitor Global Information Database provides reports on economies, trends and consumer lifestyles.
  • Statistics from the United Nations, OECD and IMF are available.

Market Research

  • Business Trade Statistics comprises import and export statistics for many different countries.
  • COBRA is aimed at small business and covers many markets not otherwise covered, e.g. childcare.
  • Datamonitor 360 includes world industry profiles (available on Business Source Complete at Brookes).
  • Euromonitor Global Information Database includes international market research reports.
  • KeyNote covers UK markets in depth.

Downloading from CD-ROMs is not usually permitted and printing is charged.

Birmingham Commercial Library
Central Library, Chamberlain Square, BIRMINGHAM 0121 303 4531

Manchester Commercial Library
St. Peters Square, MANCHESTER 0161 234 1990

Sheffield Commercial Library
Surrey Street, SHEFFIELD 0114 2734743

Directories of Libraries and Information Services

The directories in Wheatley Library that will help you to find other useful organisations are:

  • ASLIB DIRECTORY OF INFORMATION SOURCES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (QR 026.002541)
    The standard guide to all public, academic and special libraries.
  • DIRECTORY OF BRITISH ASSOCIATIONS (QR 062 DIR)
    Particularly useful for tracing trade associations which run information services.
  • GUIDE TO LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION UNITS IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS (QR 027.00254 GUI) As the title suggests, particularly useful for tracing official libraries.
  • TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (QR 060.025 TRA)
    Further details of useful organisations, including a brief membership profile.