LSE Library lift and dome photo

Coronavirus and Library services

We are open for LSE staff and students only. All other potential visitors should get in touch

Find out how to access the Library to borrow books or use study space.

Get help from Library staff

Contact us by email or social media

We are available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday to support you.

Contact us by: 

In-person Library services on campus

Basic queries at the service desk

Library staff are available Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm at the service desk to answer basic enquiries.

Meet with a librarian

A librarian can also meet you in-person to discuss searching for literature and referencing for assignments, dissertations and exams.

Book an in-person appointment with a librarian

Get remote help from your librarian

If you need help using the Library and its resources, you should contact your department librarian first. They can provide support remotely. They can assist you with:

  • finding the resources on your reading list
  • finding resources for your assignments
  • finding data and other specialist information.
  • citing and referencing enquiries

Contact a librarian to discuss.

  • You can also contact specialists on publishing, data management and research impact. Explore our research support guides.

The Library building and study space 

Visiting the Library building

LSE staff and students

Our building is open 8am to 12 midnight for LSE staff and students only for the purpose of research and study. You do not need to book a space to enter.

Alumni, members of the public and other insitutions

Visitors needing to use archives or collections unique to LSE should email us in the first instance.

COVID testing

Everyone must get tested twice a week while working or studying on campus, in line with government guidance.

Book a COVID-19 test

Library services and environment

  • single use study spaces on all floors
  • computer workstations and printers
  • physical collections and borrowing available
  • group study spaces are not available
  • food is not allowed
  • face coverings are strongly encouraged

Using our collections

Borrow books

LSE staff and students can borrow our open access print collections if they need to. 

Returning books you have on loan

Return books by leaving them on the trolleys in the Escape area before the turnstiles or on the green trolley by the self-service machines.

If you don't want to enter the Library, post them through the external drop box.

Contact us with any issues or concerns.

New and enhanced resources for LSE students and staff

We have been able to secure additional resources to help you with your online learning, research and teaching. 

New and improved resources for LSE staff and students

Resources for LSE Alumni

Accessing archives and special collections

LSE staff and students

We are currently trialling a limited service for LSE staff and students.

If you're a member of LSE you can contact us to let us know what your archives and special collections needs are and we will do our best to help. This could involve advice, scanning or an appointment to visit and use material in the Library.

Contact us for further information and to arrange access

Members of the public, other institutions and LSE alumni

Visitors needing to use archives or collections unique to LSE should email us in the first instance.

In the meantime, you can still access our digitised collections, or explore our collection highlights to find out more about our archives and special collections.

Our team of curators can help you according to their area of expertise.

You can also send us any general enquiries, and we'll do our best to help. 

Online exhibitions and collections

Access material not available through LSE Library

Use the Get It For Me service

If you can't access something that you need, let us know.

The Get It For Me service is for when you want articles, chapters or ebooks that are not available in our collection.

Find out how to use the Get It For Me service

We aren't able to order print titles at the moment, but if what you want is available electronically then we should be able to get you access.

Doing research under the current circumstances

Are you having trouble accessing secure data for your research?

We are aware that in the current circumstances some researchers aren't able to access some of the secure datasets they need for their research (eg ONS data). The Library, Research and Innovation and Cyber Security are working together to identify the researchers affected and investigate potential solutions. 

If you are facing issues for your research projects, please get in touch via datalibrary@lse.ac.uk in the first instance. We can then work with you and data providers to provide support. 

Doing primary research online? Read our advice and tips 

 As students and researchers are no longer able to conduct face-to-face data collection, new guidance has been produced to provide advice and tips for doing online data collection.

Please see our guides for:

How do I use Bloomberg at the moment?

*Page last updated: Friday 23 July*

Explore some online collections
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