b'Member News November 2019 29Member facilitiesSavoy Places visitornumbers soar Visitors to IET London: Savoy Places Faraday Centre have increased from 5,000 per year (before its refurbishment) to nearly 40,000 today. The centre attracts IET membersDuring her time managing the from all around the world, fromcentre, shes seen members enjoy North America to Australia. the facilities in different waysWe spoke to Monika Toth, Faradayfrom students using it as a base Centre Manager, to find outfor job hunting to members visiting what it is thats drawing so manythe library with research questions. members Some of her most memorable stories revolve around the Faraday Centre as a meeting point, a place for personal connection. We had The Faraday Centretwo IET members who had not provides a comfortableseen each other for 40 years, and practical venueshe says. They went to the sameInjecting Engineering at Austin Courtwhere members canschool and accidentally met inInjecting Engineeringdo research, meet andthe Faraday Centre.keep up to date withAnother member, at 90 yearsat Austin Courtthe latest technicalold, did not use a computer or developments. read emails. He wanted to know how his institution was doing, she says. We were able toOur Birmingham venue, Austin Court, is getting show him around and talk to himan upgrade, with a series of exhibits being added Monika explains that the Faraday Centre has different spaces forabout our successful events, theto the building to celebrate engineering and members; a lounge, Knowledgeachievements of our publishingtechnology innovations from the West Midlands. Centre and Library, Faradayand education teams and more.Kitchen and meeting areas. ItI think its great that alongside ourEngineers from Birmingham andalso touch on wider themes, with provides a comfortable andonline communities, we offer thesurrounding areas have createda welcome sculpture created practical venue where membersFaraday Centre, providing membersa huge number of innovationsfrom engineering objects in can do research, meet andwith the opportunity to meet facethe x-ray scanner, pneumaticreception and photographs keep up to date with the latestto face and discover more abouttyre, electric kettle, auto- of the 100 Engineering Ideas technical developments, she says.engineering and the IET. changing record player, massthat Changed the World produced steel nib pens andlining the stairwell walls. 3 things you need to know before your visit celluloid. Not forgetting that theWe are also celebrating area has a long heritage andthe contribution of women 1. Opening times are Monday-Friday, 8.30am-6.30pm BST/GMT. continued presence in Britainsengineers and inventors from 2. Bring your membership number or cardit makes registrationautomotive and rail sectors.across the globe. The Lodge easier! From September, visitors canRooms will display the history 3.You dont need to book a visit, but if you want to use asee displays in Austin Courtof women in engineering and small meeting room or booth, youll need to book it. Theyrereflecting the areas engineeringtheir discoveries, all the way available free of charge for up to two hours at a timepast and present. The exhibitsup to present day. (bookings are limited to two per member per week). If youre in the area, why not drop in to see our new displays and use our member spaces?Thinking of visiting the Faraday Centre? Find out more at:Find out more at: austincourt.theiet.org/about/member-facilitiessavoyplace.theiet.org/engineering-hub/member-facilities'