About us

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Senate House Library is the central library for the University of London and the School of Advanced Study. We offer Arts, Humanities and Social Science Research Collections and Special Collections in the heart of London’s student and research community.

Members have access to millions of books and journals, digital resources, and beautiful study spaces. Visit the Collections page for information about our holdings.

Our history

The Library opened in 1838. We moved to our current home at Senate House in 1937. More about Library history.

Library management

For questions about strategy and planning contact a member of the Library management.

Contact us

View the list of staff contacts.

Partnerships

We are a member of SCONULM25 Consortium of Academic LibrariesLIBER, CERL, and a founding member of Research Libraries UK. More about partnerships.

Exhibitions

The Library holds two main exhibitions a year with additional displays in the Membership Hall. More about exhibitions.

Events

A regular schedule of School of Advanced Study events are held at Senate House, as well as library events.

We offer a range of spaces for hire, to hold your own event, conference or society meeting.

Library Friends

The Friends run a programme of talks, lectures, seminars, visits, socials and book groups over the academic session, membership of which entitles you to free admission. Visits are normally open only to Members. Learn more about the Friends.