The following is a list of the most frequently asked questions about CAMLIS, the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Library and Information Service. If you have questions that are not answered here, please contact the library enquiry desk.
- What is CAMLIS?
- What material can be found in the CAMLIS reading room?
- Where is the CAMLIS reading room located?
- Who can use the CAMLIS reading room?
- What are CAMLIS’ opening hours?
- Do I need to be a CAMLIS member to use the library?
- How can I find out in advance what is available?
- Can I borrow books from CAMLIS?
- How can I find out if I am eligible for full membership?
- Lost, Stolen or forgotten membership cards
- Can I bring my bag into the library?
- Can I use my laptop in the library?
- Can I print out documents in the library?
- What electronic facilities are available?
- Can I make photocopies in the library?
- Can I use my camera to make copies?
- Can I take food or drink into the reading room?
- Can I recommend a book for purchase?
- Can I donate books/journals/artifacts to CAMLIS?
- I am researching for an essay/article on herbalism, can you help me?
- My child has eczema, can you help me find suitable complementary treatment?
What is CAMLIS?
CAMLIS is the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Library and Information Service. It is a part of University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is based at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital. The aim of CAMLIS is to provide a one-stop information service to support research, education and public information in Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Where is the CAMLIS reading room located?
CAMLIS is based on the ground floor of the Royal London Hospital for Inegrated Medicine in Great Ormond Street. View map with details of bus and tube routes.
Who can use the CAMLIS reading room?
CAMLIS’ reading room is open to any practitioner, patient, or member of the public interested in complementary and alternative medicine for reference only access to the collections. No prior appointment is necessary to use the library reading room.
What are CAMLIS’ opening hours?
CAMLIS opening hours are as follows:
Monday to Friday 08.45 – 17.00. (Subject to periodic review, contact the library with any queries)
Archives and historical collections are available by appointment only. Please contact the archivist or consult the library enquiry desk.
Do I need to be a CAMLIS member to use the library?
You do not need a membership card to use the library reading room to access the collection and/or online resources. Members of stakeholder organisations only will be issued with CAMLIS membership cards and extended borrowing privileges as well as off-site access to online resources.
How can I find out in advance what is available?
The following CAMLIS resources are available via the internet:
- Library catalogue
- Online resources available in the reading room (and off-site to registered CAMLIS members only)
The Library is primarily a reference library and members of the public cannot borrow books. Registered full members of current member organisations only are extended borrowing privileges. Please contact your organization or the library enquiry desk for details. Please note that no books will be issued without a valid membership card being produced.
Full CAMLIS membership, including off-site access to online resources and borrowing privileges for books, is available to members of stakeholder organisations only. To find out whether your organization is a member of CAMLIS, please consult the list of current stakeholder organisations.
Your membership card is important as you will be unable to access online resources or borrow books without a valid CAMLIS membership card being produced. You should also ensure that your PIN is kept safe and separate from your membership card. If your card is lost or stolen, please contact the library enquiry desk immediately so that it can be cancelled and a replacement can be issued.
Bags are allowed but for security reasons and for the comfort of other users, you are requested not to bring large bags into the reading room. We reserve the right to refuse admission.
There are limited power-points for laptops. Free WiFi is provided to registered CAMLIS members upon application to the library enquiry desk. Use of the WiFi service is subject to acceptance of CAMLIS’ free internet access usage policy, which is displayed at the enquiry desk. Abuse of this facility may result in it being withdrawn.
There are black and white printing facilities in the reading room to print from the networked library computers only. We ask for a contribution of 5p per A4 page. Concessionary pricing is available subject to status, please consult the library enquiry desk for details.
You can consult the updated list of online resources available through CAMLIS for details. All listed resources are freely accessible through the networked computers in the CAMLIS reading room.
Registered members of CAMLIS only can also access these resources via the internet with their CAMLIS log-in details.
Yes, subject to usual copyright limits and/or conservation restrictions (please consult the library enquiry desk if unsure), self-service black-and-white photocopying is available. The cost is 5p per A4 page. There are no colour-copying facilities.
CAMLIS does not presently allow photographs to be taken in the reading room. Subject to copyright and/or conservation restrictions, digital images of some archive material may be ordered from the archivist.
There is strictly no food or drink allowed in the reading room, including chewing gum and bottled water. There are a number of restaurants and cafés in the area, including the hospital’s own “La Forchetta” bistro next to the library, and you are of course free to eat your own food in the Queen Square gardens.
Yes! Please ask for a recommendation slip at the library enquiry desk. Please complete the recommendation slip in as much detail as possible, including a brief explanation why you think CAMLIS should have this book. All recommendations will be considered for purchase.
CAMLIS Library and Archive will always consider offers of donations of relevant materials for the library and the archives, either as outright gifts or on permanent loan.
Recent acquisitions include generous book donations from Thieme Publishers and Elsevier as well as the permanent loan of the libraries of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (including historical archive material), the British Autogenic Society and the British Homoeopathic Association’s historical ‘Burford Library’.
CAMLIS aims to build up the most comprehensive collection for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Europe and as such we are always interested in books and periodical collections that allow us to fulfil this aim.
CAMLIS Archive also collects historical material related to Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Britain and beyond.
Please contact the librarian, Gerhard Bissels, if you wish to contribute to our collections or for further information. Even where we cannot accommodate your donation ourselves, we often know of a suitable repository elsewhere.
Unfortunately we do not have the facilities to help you research your topic, but we can usually advise you on available sources and facilitate access to these.
No, CAMLIS librarians are not qualified practitioners and cannot give advice on treatment of any kind. You should contact your GP for advice.
Most complementary and alternative medical organisations also maintain lists of registered practitioners and can help you find one in your area.
For information on how to be referred to a CAM specialist within the NHS, see the information provided by the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital.