Senate House Library | News Feed

Monday 30 January: Special Collections reading room service will operate from the Durning-Lawrence Library

2012-01-30T09:30:00.000Z

On Monday 30 January 2012, the invigilated Special Collections Reading Room service, and access to the Palaeography and Book Studies Collections, will operate from the adjacent Durning-Lawrence Library on the fourth floor of Senate House Library. This is due to essential collection moves. A fetch service at 10h00, 12h00, 14h30 and 16h00 will operate to bring requested rare and Palaeography and Book Studies materials to the Durning-Lawrence Library. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

South Block lift out-of-order

2012-01-27T10:29:00.004Z

The lift at Senate House South Block is out-of-order. We apologise for the inconvenience. Readers unable to climb the stairs should ask at the Senate House South Block reception desk for help with access.

New lifts will be installed in the coming months, work is already underway and this is putting extra strain on the one remaining functional lift.

Help us improve our website!

2012-01-18T11:02:00.000Z

Get a free £10 Amazon gift voucher. Senate House Library is in the process of redeveloping its website. To help us achieve this we will be conducting individual feedback sessions. These sessions will last about twenty-five minutes or so and involve answering a few questions about the website and completing a simple exercise.

As an incentive the first five participants will receive a £10 Amazon.co.uk gift voucher.

To share your views or to arrange a feedback session please email Adrian Graham at adrian.graham@london.ac.uk

The feedback sessions will take place in Senate House Library at a time convenient to you.

If you are unable to attend a session please take a couple of minutes to complete the online website survey. We are keen to hear from a diverse range of Library users, including undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as faculty.

Your help is appreciated.

Ground floor, drop box access

2012-01-16T14:16:00.001Z

Please note: the drop box is available from 7.00 am to 9.30 pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 6pm onSaturdays. It is closed on Sundays.

Advance notice: Special Collections, Tuesday 17 January 2012

2012-01-16T09:46:00.002Z

On Tuesday 17 January 2012, the invigilated Special Collections Reading Room service, and access to the Palaeography and Book Studies Collections, will operate from the adjacent Durning-Lawrence Library on the fourth floor of Senate House Library. This is due to essential building works in the Sterling Reading Room. A fetch service at 10h00, 12h00, 14h30 and 16h00 will operate to bring requested rare and Palaeography and Book Studies materials to the Durning-Lawrence Library. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Lift access from the ground floor of Senate House up to the 4th floor, into the Library, is temporarily unavailable

2012-01-10T10:00:00.003Z

The main lifts from the ground floor up to the 4th floor, into the Library, are currently out of use / being serviced. Should readers be unable to use the stairs please ask the ground floor reception desk to ring up to the Library. A member of staff will come down and escort you to the service lift. Please note that the service lift is quite narrow and may not be able to accommodate wheelchairs. Engineers are working on the lift to get it back into operation as soon as possible. Should readers have any issues accessing the Library please phone 020 7862 8468 or email shl.enquiries@london.ac.uk and we will do our very best to help. The library apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Disruption to online library services, Sunday 15th January from 15:00

2012-01-09T16:32:00.001Z

Update: Sunday 15th January 15:10. this upgrade has been pushed back until 18:30 tonight.

The library catalogues at encore.ulrls.lon.ac.uk and catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk will be unavailable from 15:00 on Sunday 15th January for an estimated two hours. This planned downtime is to allow for an upgrade to our catalogues by Systems Team staff.

This upgrade is required to fix problems with the system and prepare for improvements coming to our Encore catalogue later in the year.

We are trying to minimise disruption by doing this work out of opening hours. During this work the catalogue will be unavailable so you will not be able to:

Renew loans online or using our automated telephone renewal service
Search the catalogue or request items
Access e-resources (e-journals and databases) authenticated via the catalogue

The Senate House Library Web site and the Archives and Manuscripts catalogue will remain available during this time.

We aim to have all online services, including access to e-journals and databases, back up and running by 17:00 on 15th January.

We will let you know of any problems - follow Senate House Library on Twitter for updates on the day.

Senate House Library is now operating term time hours

2012-01-09T09:39:00.000Z

From 9 Jan 2012 to 4 April 2012 (Spring Term) the Library will operate Term Hours: Monday - Thursday: 09.00 - 21.00. Friday: 09.00 - 18.30. Saturday: 09.45 - 17.30. More information is available on the Opening Hours page of our website.

9th and 10th January, from 5pm to 7pm an image will be projected onto the west side of the Senate House tower

2012-01-06T15:38:00.000Z

On the 9th and 10th January from 5pm to 7pm an image will be projected onto the west side of the Senate House tower, the north west side of the north block and the south west side of the south block. In order to facilitate this please do not draw the window blinds facing the Malet street car park so that no light is emitted during these time frames.

On the night of the 10th January there will be amplified music and speech played for 5 minutes between 17:15 - 17:20 hrs and 18:15-18:20hrs and pedestrian access to the Malet Street car park will be restricted from 16:00 -19:00 hrs. Library readers are kindly requested to access Senate House via the Russell Square car park. Thank you in advance for your help.

Special Collections: 3 - 6 January, inclusive, will operate from Durning-Lawrence Library (4th floor, Senate House Library)

2012-01-03T09:34:00.002Z

During 3 - 6 January 2012, inclusive, the invigilated Special Collections Reading Room service, and access to the Palaeography and Books Studies Collections, will operate from the adjacent Durning-Lawrence Library on the fourth floor of Senate House Library. This is due to essential building works in the Sterling Reading Room. A fetch service at 10.00, 12.00, 14.30 and 16.00 Monday-Friday inclusive will operate to bring requested rare and Palaeography and Book Studies materials to the Durning-Lawrence Library. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

3 Jan 2012 - 7 Jan 2012: the Library will be open Vacation Hours

2012-01-03T09:29:00.002Z

3 Jan 2012 - 7 Jan 2012: the Library will be open Vacation Hours. Monday - Friday: 09.00 - 18.00. Saturday: 09.45 - 17.30. Please visit the opening hours page on our website for further information.

The Library is closed over the Christmas Holiday: 24 Dec 2011 to 2 Jan 2012, inclusive

2011-12-23T14:09:00.000Z

The Library will close for the Christmas holidays at 6.00pm, 23 December 2011 (please note that close down procedure begins at 5.30pm).

The Library will be closed from 24 Dec 2011 to 2 Jan 2012, inclusive.

The Library will reopen at 9.00am on Tuesday 3 January 2012.

Book drop box unavailable during Christmas Holiday

2011-12-22T09:48:00.000Z

Please note that the book returns drop box will be unavailable from 9pm tonight (23/12/11) to 9am on Tuesday 3 January 2012 (as the building will be closed).

Senate House Library Friends visit to Middle Temple Library Tuesday 6th December 4pm

2011-12-02T10:17:00.000Z

The library is known to have existed prior to 1540 as archive records show, but was re-founded in 1641 when Robert Ashley bequeathed his collection of books to the Inn. At that time, the four Inns were commonly regarded as the third university of England and as well as providing instruction in the law, they were also expected to provide members with a gentleman’s education which encompassed divinity, philosophy, arts and sciences.

Since then, the library has been housed in various places around the Inn but its first purpose built home was opened in 1861 by the then Prince of Wales and stood across the garden from the present building. This building was destroyed in 1941 following an incendiary attack. Fortunately, the majority of the books and the Molyneux Globes had already been sent out of London for safe-keeping so only a working library remained.

Following the war, the collections were housed temporarily in two prefabricated houses in Brick Court until the present building, designed by Sir Edward Maufe was opened in 1958 by the Queen Mother. Today, the library houses over 250,000 books.

The Senior Librarian, Renae Satterley, will be conducting a tour of the library which will include the Molyneux Globes and some items from the Rare Books and Manuscripts Collection. Highlights from the collection on show will include Samuel de Champlain’s Voyages (1613), a book on geometry which once belonged to John Donne, an Italian manuscript from 1783, and, for good measure, a 16th century legal book (Joost de Damhoudere, 1567).

To register for this event, or to join Senate House Library Friends, please contact: Senate House Library Office, University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU; Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8432;

Email: shl.officeadmin@london.ac.uk

Senate House, South Block lift refurbishment starting 05/12/11

2011-12-01T09:20:00.001Z

Refurbishment work will start taking place on both South Block main lifts on 5 December 2011. This will continue until May 2012. Only one lift will be out of use at a time whilst the work takes place. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time and thank you for your patience.

Please note that the 4th floor lift (within the Library) will not be available on Wednesday 7 December due to routine service work. If you require lift access to the upper floors please ask staff at the Enquiries desk.

Please note: Wednesday 30 Nov 2011, Foundation Day, the Library will close at 3.00pm

2011-11-29T09:09:00.001Z

In order to accommodate the University of London's annual Foundation Day on Wednesday 30 Nov 2011 the Library will be closing early at 3.00pm (30/11/11). Please check the website front page for further updates.

The Library apologises for any inconvenience caused. The Library will be back open as usual at 9.00am, Thursday morning.

Database trial: Twentieth Century Drama

2011-11-23T12:12:00.006Z

Twentieth Century Drama brings together an unparalleled collection of the most important works from the last century from the English-speaking world, featuring plays from noted playwrights as well as lesser known dramatists, the collection includes works by over 300 writers. Available for trial through the Senate House Library until December 31, 2011

'From Centre of Culture to Cultural Centre: The Public Library in Britain since 1850’, a lecture by Alistair Black Professor of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois

2011-11-16T09:51:00.001Z

Date & Time: Wednesday 16 November 2011, 6.00pm
Location: Court Room (Senate House, First Floor)
Format: Lecture followed by a question and answer session.

Organised by the Senate House Library Friends.
All welcome.
Refreshments provided.
Attendance is free.

Please click here for more information or contact the Library Office by email at anna.woodcraft@london.ac.uk.

Hansard 1803-2005

2011-11-07T11:46:00.002Z

The Hansard Parliamentary debates for both the House of Commons and House of Lords for 1803-2005 are now available through the House of Commons Parliamentary Papers Database.

Book returns box moving from Monday 7th November

2011-11-04T16:59:00.002Z

Our ground floor Returns Box is moving from the North Block to the South Block reception at Senate House from Monday 7th November.
This is being done because the North Block is being closed for refurbishment from next week.

The Goldsmith's Reading Room will be closing early on Thursday (10/11/11)

2011-11-04T10:16:00.000Z

We regret the Goldsmiths Reading Room will close onThursday 10th November at 3pm for a private event. Between 3 and 4.30pm we willfetch material for readers.

The Library apologises for any inconvenience this maycause. Thank you.

Designing Research - A Seminar and Conference Series at the University of London

2011-10-28T12:11:00.001+01:00

Update 24/01/2012
Owing to new commitments we have decided to refocus the series. Further details for federal UoL Colleges will be made in the near future.

In a time of financial constraint but also technological innovation, the federal University of London has an important opportunity to consider strategic shared services and partnerships. Senate House Libraries, in their role of supporting arts, humanities and social sciences research across the federation is pleased to host four seminar days for colleagues in libraries, IT and academic departments from all Colleges of the University of London. Each interactive seminar will focus on a key area of potential collaboration where the federation might benefit from working together. The series will lead to a major national conference on the theme of Designing Research, to be held at Senate House in June 2012.

Design plays a part in almost everything we do, as librarians, technologists and as academics. This innovative series will explore ways in which the design of services, products, environments and research processes could be considered both in terms of collaboration and in new practices and shared services. Throughout the series there will be a practical focus on how we can work more efficiently using the great combined resources of the University of London.

Seminar One – Designing Products and Services
This seminar will use examples and best practice from universities and other sectors to consider how the term, ‘products and services’ might be made relevant to an academic setting.

Seminar Two – Digital and Physical Spaces
This seminar will explore the key relationships between digital and physical space in the research environment and will seek to redefine what it means to be a hybrid community.

Seminar Three – Web Futures
Specifically focusing on the rapid development of web technology and its related mobile devices, this seminar will investigate the potential for technology collaboration in the design and use of research environments.

Seminar Four – Partnerships and Collaborations
This seminar is intended to open the discussion on where the University can work more powerfully on the delivery of a research culture, and also to broaden those ideas to include new partners from beyond the HE sector.

London Designing Research Conference 2012
Following the four federal seminars, the first London Designing Research Conference will be a national event to consider the place and concepts of design in the UK research effort. Keynote speakers will provide thought-provoking views on how to best harness both technology and traditional research practices and spaces. The parallel sessions will echo the four seminars and will offer colleagues who attended the series an opportunity to present to a wider audience.

Seminar information
Wed 25th Jan 2012: Seminar One – Designing Products and Services
Wed 22nd Feb 2012: Seminar Two – Digital and Physical Spaces
Wed 21st Mar 2012: Seminar Three – Web Futures
Tue 15th May 2012: Seminar Four – Partnerships and Collaborations

Seminars are open to colleagues in libraries, IT and academic departments from all Colleges of the University of London.
Location: Senate House, London.
Attendance: Free.

Conference information

June 2012: London Designing Research Conference 2012
Further details, including cost of attending the conference will be made available soon.

Contact

Joe Honywill
Associate Director, Digital Environments and Partnerships, Senate House Libraries
joe.honywill@london.ac.uk

Eight additional private research carrels are now available for hire in the Middlesex North reading room

2011-10-24T16:46:00.001+01:00

The hire of private research study carrels has been an extremely popular and in-demand service at the Library. The Library is pleased to announce that eight more study carrels are now available in the newly refurbished Middlesex North reading room. This raises the number of study carrels available to twenty-four in total.

The hire cost is £10 per week.
Study carrels are available to University of London students and staff only.
University of London academic staff and PhD students may rent a carrel for up to 12 weeks at a time.
University of London masters students may rent a carrel for one week at a time.
Vacancies allowing, final year undergraduate University of London students may also rent a carrel for one week at a time.

Please note that payment is taken in advance, when the study carrel is booked. More information about booking a research carrel is available on this page.

Advance notice: some of our databases will be unavailable this weekend (22/23 Oct 2011) due to essential maintenance work by our provider

2011-10-20T15:01:00.001+01:00

Due to essential maintenance work being carried out by our provider some of our databases will be unavailable this weekend: 22/23 October 2011.

The following databases will be unavailable Sunday 23 October from 03:00 to 15:00 BST:

ABI/Inform
Annual Bibliography of English Language and Literature
British Periodicals
Dissertations and Theses
Early English Books Online - EEBO
House of Commons Parliamentary Papers, Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth century
International Index to Music periodicals
LION: Literature Online
Periodicals Archive Online
Periodicals Index Online
PRISMA (Publicaciones y Revistas Sociales y Humanísticas)
Proquest Newspapers and Proquest Historical Newspapers

The Library apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Membership - joining the Library

2011-10-06T13:07:00.001+01:00

To join the Library please visit the Membership desk on the 4th floor, South Block of Senate House. If there is a long queue it may be better to try again later - early morning tends to be the quietest time. To help speed things up please ensure that you have your college ID card or the necessary documentation with you.

University of London students: your membership will be processed faster if you fill out an online pre-registration form before you visit the Library. Please note your pre-registration number for your visit.

New photocopying and printing prices from Monday 10 October 2011

2011-10-04T14:43:00.000+01:00

From Monday 10th October 2011 the prices for photocopying and printing will change as follows:
- Self-service, A4 black and white photocopy 6p
- Self-service, A3 black and white photocopy 12p
- Self-service, colour A4 print, 40p

The Library makes every effort possible to keep photocopying and printing prices low. It has been necessary to make these changes to keep up with the significantly increased price of paper and consumables.

Two notable lectures on the future and past of libraries scheduled for 18 October and 16 November

2011-10-04T12:00:00.000+01:00

Two notable lectures on the past, present and future of libraries are scheduled for 18 October and 16 November.
Tuesday 18 October 2011, 6.00pm
The 2011 Holden Lecture: Christopher Pressler, Director of Senate House Libraries: 'Borges meets Orwell - The 21st Century Research Library'
Location: The Senate Room (Senate House, 1st Floor)

Organised by the Senate House Library Friends.
Followed by a wine reception.
All welcome.
Attendance is free.

Wednesday 16 November 2011, 6.00pm
‘The Public Library in Britain Since 1850’, a lecture by Alistair Black Professor of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois.
Location: Court Room (Senate House, First Floor)

Organised by the Senate House Library Friends.
All welcome.
Refreshments provided.
Attendance is free.

Both of these talks by distinguished speakers will include answer and question sessions and are open to all.

Please click the following link to SHeLF (Senate House Library Friends) for more information of Friends events or contact the Library Office at anna.woodcraft@london.ac.uk

The Membership desk is very busy today - thank you for your patience

2011-10-03T16:32:00.001+01:00

The membership desk is very busy with new registrations today, staff are doing their very best to enrol people as speedily as possible. If you do not need to use the library immediately, you may find it easier tojoin when the start of term rush has ended. You can pre-register online via thelibrary website http://www.shl.lon.ac.uk/library/membership.shtml,however you will need to come to the library to complete your registration.

New database Trial: Accessible Archives

2011-10-03T14:45:00.004+01:00

The Senate House Library is trialling a new database: Accessible Archives. This is a rich source of material on American history, eyewitness accounts of historical events, vivid descriptions of daily life, editorial observations, commerce as seen through advertisements, and genealogical records all gathered from published books and historical periodicals.

Changes to email notices from 1st October

2011-09-30T16:50:00.004+01:00

From Saturday 1st October 2011, in order to reduce library costs and resources, Senate House Library will no longer post out any notices regarding your library account. All correspondence will be sent by email only.

Please ensure that your email address is correct by logging in to check your account online. Your record now shows the email address held by us:

If this is incorrect, select the Modify Personal Info button to enter a new address. You can enter more than one email address to receive notices by separating them with a comma - no spaces are required.

The Depository, our offsite store, is now simply called the Offsite Store

2011-09-23T15:08:00.000+01:00

The online catalogue name for the offsite store has changed from the 'Depository' to the self-explanatory new name, the Offsite Store. More information: http://bit.ly/q1gt21

University of London 175th Anniversary Exhibition

2011-09-19T15:08:00.002+01:00

The University of London was founded by Royal Charter on 28 November 1836. As part of the celebrations of our 175th anniversary, documents from the University's archive at Senate House Library have been digitised to produce an on-line exhibition.

Disruption to online library services, Saturday 17th September from 18:00.

2011-09-17T13:43:00.008+01:00

The library catalogues at catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk and encore.ulrls.lon.ac.uk will be unavailable from 18:00 on Saturday 17th September.

This planned downtime is to allow for essential maintenance to our catalogue by staff working for our software vendor. We are trying to minimise disruption by doing this work out of opening hours. During this work the catalogue will be unavailable so you will not be able to:

Renew loans online or using our automated telephone renewal service
Search the catalogue or request items
Access e-resources (e-journals and databases) authenticated via the catalogue

The Senate House Library Web site and the Archives and Manuscripts catalogue will remain available during this time.

We aim to have all online services, including access to e-journals and databases, back up and running by Sunday 18th September. We will let you know of any problems - follow Senate House Library on Twitter for updates.

18:52, 17th September: Edit to add: maintenance work has been completed and our systems are running normally again.

The Goldsmith's Reading Room will be closed on Monday morning (19/09/11) to allow building contractors access to carry out their work

2011-09-16T13:52:00.002+01:00

It will be necessary to close the Goldsmith's Reading Room on Monday morning (19/09/11) to allow building contractors access to carry out their work. If any reader wishes to consult items from the Goldsmith's Room while it is closed we will be happy to fetch them for you. Please ask staff at the Circulation Desk for further information.

The Library apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.

Catalogue improvements coming from tomorrow

2011-09-15T15:03:00.002+01:00

From the morning of Friday 16th September we will be running a new release of the software that runs our Encore catalogue to provide a cleaner, clearer look and feel and some new features.

Please see our Encore Blog post for details of the features in the new release.

If you have any questions or comments about this please ask us online, or speak to staff at the library.

Access to the Library is now only via the South Block, Senate House

2011-09-14T12:36:00.001+01:00

Please note that access to the Library is now via the South Block, Senate House only. The old Small Hall and North Block areas are no longer in use. Please check the new Library floor plans to see where the collections have been relocated.

New Library floor plans

2011-09-09T12:59:00.003+01:00

These are the new floor plans for Senate House Library. Please note that some collections may not be fully in place. Please check the latest moves schedule for specific information.

The Special Collections reading room is now open in the Palaeography Room

2011-09-08T11:27:00.000+01:00

The Special Collections reading room is now open in the Palaeography Room at the far northern end of the fourth floor. This is also where the book studies and Palaeography collections are located. Opening hours are 9.30 to 5.45 Mon to Fri and 9.45 – 1 / 2 – 5.15 on Saturdays.

Re-Opening floors 4 – 6 and closing temporary areas

2011-09-07T09:47:00.000+01:00

Week beginning September 5th
4th Floor (Middlesex South)

Music scores and folios move into this room on September 8th – 9th .

4th Floor (Sterling Reading Room & Seng Tee Lee Centre)

The Palaeography and Book Studies collections move from the Small Hall to these rooms during September 6th – 8th.

5th Floor (Room 511, 5th Floor South Reading Room)

The Art and NYU collections will be moved into this room on September 2nd & 5th

5th Floor (central spine - Rooms 500, 514 & 529)

The Language & Literature, Classics and Romance collections will move to the 5th floor between September 5th – 7th.

Week beginning September 12th
6th Floor

US & Latin American collections will move into the south and middle portions of this floor between September 9th – 16th .

Week beginning September 19th
This week will be used to clear up any remaining furniture/equipment/IT moves and any other loose ends.

Closure of temporary North Block areas

The last opening day of the Small Hall is set as September 7th.

The last opening day of the North Block Floors 2-3 is September 14th.

Information relating to the re-location of Library services for the days following the Bank Holiday Monday closure

2011-08-25T16:18:00.000+01:00

Information relating to the re-location of Library services for the days following the Bank Holiday Monday closure http://bit.ly/pxuJTx

Re-Opening Floors 4 - 6 & Closing Temporary Areas August 30 - September 2

2011-08-25T16:13:00.000+01:00

Please note the following information relating to the re-location of library services for the days following the Bank Holiday Monday closure:

4th Floor North (Middlesex North Reading Room)
This room will open to readers from September 1st.

4th Floor North (Sterling Library Reading Room & Seng Tee Lee Centre)

The Special Collections reading room service will move from the Goldsmiths’ Library to the Sterling reading room during August 30-31, re-opening as soon as possible. This is currently estimated to be September 1st. (Thus the final opening day of this service in its current location in the Goldsmiths’ Library reading room will be August 26. During the transfer period, an interim service will be offered from the Small Hall).

4th & 5th Floors South
Goldsmiths’ Reading Room : Closed on August 30th – Reopens September 2nd
This reading room will be closed for up to 3 days to allow the following:

The move of periodicals current issues and reference works to the 4th floor Periodicals room.
The transfer of the Special Collections Reading Room service to the Sterling Library.
The re-organisation of the large Holden table furniture in this room.
The move of Music books from Room 500 into the Goldsmiths’ Reading Room

Music books will be unavailable for open access browsing between August 31 – September 1.

Room 500 - 5th Floor South reading area : Closed on August 31st – Reopens September 8th
This area will be closed for one week once the Music Collection moves out on August 30th. When it re-opens, it will contain the Language, Linguistics and Classics collections (Bliss W – XI).

Room 511 - 5th Floor Music Library wing : Closed on August 31st – Reopens September 5th
This reading room will be closed for 4 library opening days (including Saturday September 3) to allow the following:

The move of Music folio and scores collections from Room 511 into the Middlesex South Reading Room.
The move of the Art and NYU collections into Room 511 from the Middlesex South Reading Room.

Music folios and scores will be unavailable for open access browsing or fetching between August 31 – September 6.

Middlesex South Reading Room : Reduced service between September 1 - 5

Readers in the Middlesex South reading room will experience some disruption and reduced access to public desktops between Thursday September 1st - Monday September 5th to allow for the moves of the collections of Art, Music folios and scores.

Temporary North Block areas
The temporary areas (Small Hall and floors 2- 3) remain open.

The only collections remaining in these areas are Palaeography /Book Studies (Small Hall) and US /Latin American collections (3rd Floor).

Summer Library Moves: Music Collection

2011-08-24T09:24:00.000+01:00

The Music collection will be moving from its current location on August 31.

Music books will be relocated to the Goldsmith’s Library reading room which will be available from September 2nd.

As a result, Music books will be unavailable for open access browsing from 31 August to 1 September. Fetching is available on request.

Music folios and scores will be relocated to the Middlesex South reading room and available from September 7th.

Please note that Music folios and scores will be unavailable for open access browsing or fetching between August 31 - September 6. If users require a specific item during this period, they can request that it is set aside in advance for their use during the period of unavailability. Any such requests would have to be received by August 30th.

History, English and Film & Media collections

2011-08-10T10:54:00.000+01:00

The History, English and Film & Media collections can be accessed via the South Block, 4th floor, main Circulation Hall.

Senate House Libraries moves - STAGE 3. August / September 2011

2011-08-02T10:51:00.004+01:00

Starting from Monday August 8th, 2011, we will move onto the second part of this stage of the Library moves, dealing with collections in the publicly accessible areas of the library.

During August and the first part of September, we will gradually occupy and re-organise the newly refurbished areas of the library on Floors 4 - 7.

The Collections Moves Schedule (PDF 16KB) indicates the week in which the move is due to take place.

Please note that the Library has taken the decision to remain open throughout these moves in order to minimise disruption to users, particularly postgraduate students undertaking dissertation work during the summer months. However, there may be localised disruption in specific areas as collections are moved.

Towards the end of this period, the temporary library accommodation in the North Block of Senate House (including the Small Hall) will be phased out and closed down. The specific dates will be advertised nearer the time.

Please refer to the library enquiry desk if you require further information or advice.

Problem accessing Times Digital Archive database

2011-08-01T14:09:00.004+01:00

There is a problem with access to Times Digital Archive via Senate House Library. You may find you are unable to access the resource and are given the following message:

Sorry - InfoTrac is unable to give you the result you asked for. The specific message that describes the problem is: This InfoMark specifies a database that is not in your current subscription list.
The problem is intermittent so it is worth trying again if you are unable to get through at first. The problem is affecting access both on-site at the library and off-site.

The technical support team for the database vendor are aware of the problem and currently investigating.

Senate House Library open as normal on 4 August 2011

2011-07-26T10:31:00.001+01:00

Some UCL Libraries will close on 4 August 2011 for the Library Services staff conference, more info: http://bit.ly/nix0Tr An instance of this news has been reported with an image of Senate House attached. Just to clarify, Senate House Library will be open as usual on 04/08/11.

New database trial; the Cecil Papers

2011-07-21T14:49:00.004+01:00

The Cecil Papers is a collection of documents, principally from the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I/VI, privately held by the Gasxoyne-Cecil family at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire. It contains nearly 30,000 documents gathered by William Cecil (1521-98), Lord Burghley and his son Robert Cecil (1563-1612), first Earl of Salisbury. Occupying some of the highest offices of state in the land, these two men were at the heart of events during one of the most dynamic periods in Western History.

Senate House Libraries Collection Moves: 11 July - 3 August 2011

2011-07-08T11:51:00.001+01:00

Senate House Libraries Collection Moves Dates (Stage 3 July 11th - August 3rd, 2011 Part 1)
Below is the latest information regarding the collection moves. These moves mean that specific items in these collections may be unavailable for short periods while they are in transit.

Collection Name: Date Of Move

Senate House Library periodicals (classmark PS): July 11 - 15
Senate House Library History periodicals (classmark 63): July 18
IHR Library (items being moved to closed access): July 19 - 29
IHR Library (items being moved to 3rd Floor South): July 25 - August 1
Music periodicals: July 29
Psychology periodicals: August 1- 2
Philosophy periodicals: August 3
Palaeography periodicals: August 3

Important information: Senate House Libraries moves – STAGE 3

2011-07-07T16:15:00.001+01:00

Senate House Libraries moves – STAGE 3

July 2011:

Starting from Monday July 11, 2011, we will begin the 3rd and final stage of the Library moves, dealing with collections in the publicly accessible areas of the library.

The first part this move will take place throughout July. During this time, periodical sequences in the 3rd Floor South Block and temporary North Block areas on the Ground and 2nd Floors will be relocated to the Library Tower. In future, access to these collections will be via the stack fetching service although please note that many periodicals titles are now also available in digital form. (Please also note that recent issues of periodicals titles - currently held in the Goldsmiths’ Library are NOT affected by these moves).

Additionally during July, the IHR Library will re-locate temporarily from its current location in the North Block of Senate House to the 3rd Floor South Block.

These moves may mean that specific items in these collections are unavailable for short periods while they are in transit, normally no longer than 1 – 2 days.

A schedule of these moves will be posted on the library website. This will enable you to see which collections are scheduled to move on particular days.

Please refer to the library enquiry desk if you require further information or advice.

More information on the second part of these moves in August will follow shortly.

Wednesday 06/07/11: Access to the Library is back to normal

2011-07-06T09:50:00.000+01:00

The filming at Senate House was completed last night and access to both the north and south blocks has returned to normal.

Monday 4 July 2011 and Tuesday 5 July 2011, filming at Senate House

2011-07-01T09:41:00.003+01:00

Monday 4 July 2011 and Tuesday 5 July 2011, filming at Senate House: access to the South Block Library will be via Stewart House (which is located on the Russell Square side of Senate House). Access to the North Block is via the North side entrance to the building (facing Birkbeck and SOAS). Please follow signage and directions from staff, who will be on duty to assist you. Filming concludes on Tuesday evening. Access to the South Block will be back to normal on Wednesday 6 July. The Library apologises for any inconvenience.

John Johnson Collection

2011-06-23T16:18:00.002+01:00

The Senate House Library now offers online access to the John Johnson Collection from the Bodleian Library. It comprises 67,754 scanned items of ephemera from the Nineteenth-Century, relating to theatre and entertainment, the book trade, and popular prints and advertising, including material on crimes, murders and executions.

Thursday 23/06/11: Filming work continues at Senate House

2011-06-22T16:30:00.001+01:00

Thursday 23/06/11: Filming work will continue at Senate House. You may be asked to access the South Block Library via Stewart House (which is located on the Russell Square side of Senate House). Things should return to normal on Friday. The Library apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Updated: Senate House Libraries, Collection moves schedule. STAGE 2, June 2011

2011-06-13T11:10:00.000+01:00

The June 2011 Collection moves schedule (updated to 10th June version) is available from the following link: Senate House Libraries Collection moves schedule, June 2011 (PDF, 12KB). Please note that Collections in public areas (open access) are NOT affected by these moves. Please refer to the library enquiry desk if you require further information or advice. Alternatively you can contact us via the following page:http://www.shl.lon.ac.uk/library/contacts

Senate House Library Summer 2011 Newsletter now available online

2011-06-09T15:52:00.001+01:00

The Senate House Library Newsletter, Summer 2011, is now available online at www.shl.lon.ac.uk/newsletter/newsletter_current.pdf - In this issue: Collection Moves 2011, The New Library Catalogue, The Senate House Library Electronic Reference Shelf, The Ethel M. Wood Biblical Collection, a hieroglyphic Bible, Victorian Popular Culture On-Line and a selection of new atlases available in the Library.

Senate House Libraries: Collection moves schedule. STAGE 2, June 2011

2011-06-07T16:24:00.001+01:00

The June 2011 Collection moves schedule is available from the following link: Senate House Libraries Collection moves schedule, June 2011 (PDF, 12KB). Please note that Collections in public areas (open access) are NOT affected by these moves. Please refer to the library enquiry desk if you require further information or advice. Alternatively you can contact us via the following page: http://www.shl.lon.ac.uk/library/contacts

New Web catalogue launched today

2011-06-01T07:54:00.007+01:00

We've just made our new catalogue, Encore, live for our readers to search Senate House Libraries collections. We hope you will find the new catalogue clearer and easier to use than the previous one.

Encore is different from the old catalogue, so to help you get started read our page of tips explaining some of the less-obvious (and more powerful) features in the new catalogue. Over the coming months we'll be improving Encore to search over a wider range of resources and better integrate with our other online services.

If you have comments or questions please contact us, or ask at the Enquiries Desk on the 4th Floor.

Message to final year undergraduate students with memberships expiring 31/05/11

2011-05-31T19:52:00.000+01:00

Final year undergrads with Library memberships expiring today (31/05/11), please remember to return any outstanding books & pay off any existing fines. Thank you for choosing to study at Senate House Library and on behalf of the Library staff I would like to wish you all the best for the future.

Senate House Libraries moves - STAGE 2

2011-05-27T13:38:00.004+01:00

We will shortly be moving onto Stage 2 of the Library moves, which involves the reorganisation of closed access areas in the Library Tower and Basement areas. While this is largely invisible to our library users, it does affect items that users request through the ‘Stack Fetching Service’. It may mean that specific items in the collections being moved are unavailable for short periods while they are in transit, normally no longer than 1 – 2 days.

These moves begin on June 6th and will continue until the end of month. A schedule of these moves will be posted on the library website at the beginning of June. This will enable you to see which collections are scheduled to move on particular days.

Please refer to the library enquiry desk if you require further information or advice. Alternatively you can contact us via the following page: http://www.shl.lon.ac.uk/library/contacts

Summer moves 2011

2011-05-13T18:24:00.001+01:00

Senate House Library will remain open over the period of the moves this summer, however, given the scale of the project there will be restricted access to collections.

Advance notice: 2011 Collection moves

2011-05-12T11:06:00.000+01:00

Collection moves will be taking place at Senate House Library from May 2011 to the end of September 2011.

These essential moves are necessary in order to accommodate the return of the Library into the newly refurbished areas of Senate House, as well as manage space for ongoing building work elsewhere. The moves will be on a grand scale and entail relocating literally hundreds of thousands of books in a number of interconnected sequences.

As a result some of our collections will become temporarily unavailable while they are in transit. It will also be necessary to close the Library for sometime in the summer. More details and specific dates will be published when they are confirmed.

We will do everything we can to minimise disruption to users and to provide advance warning. If you are making a special journey to the Library between May 2011 and the end of September 2011 please check our website for the latest information and confirm with staff that the item(s)/collections you wish to consult are available for your visit.

The 2011 collection moves into the newly refurbished areas will enable us to offer a hugely upgraded study environment and collection space. This will provide a greatly improved experience for users, with new desks, infrastructure and navigation, all within a unified Library space.

If you have any questions please do contact us: http://www.shl.lon.ac.uk/library/contacts

Senate House Library - Stage 1

2011-05-11T16:59:00.001+01:00

Senate House Library moves

The first stage of the library moves begins on May 11, 2011. This is part of a four month programme which will culminate in the re-opening of the newly refurbished library in its entirety on Floors 4-7 of Senate House in time for the new academic session. When the moves are completed, the temporary library facilities in the Small Hall and the North Block areas will be discontinued.

Stage 1

The first stage of the moves involves moving certain categories of low-use material from the Library’s closed access stacks in the Tower/Basement areas to our offsite storage Depository in Egham, Surrey. This will take approximately 4 weeks to complete. While the items are in transit, they will be temporarily unavailable. Normally, this will only be for between 24-48 hours, so please check with library staff if your item falls into one of the categories listed below.

These moves will ensure that we can retain more frequently used items and specialist collections on site in central London.

Access to the collections being sent to Egham is still readily available through the stack fetching service and items requested are normally available 24 hours after the request is lodged.

Material being transferred to the Depository

1. Australian collection of books and periodicals

2. Carlton shorthand collection

3. Commonwealth Studies Library: selected material in the following areas:

- Commerce (Classification mark HF – HF267)

- Finance (Classification mark HG)

- Public finance (Classification mark HJ)

- Political Science documents (Classification mark J)

- Agriculture – plant and animal industry (Classification mark S)

4. Germanic Studies library: selected materials.

5. Items with a classification mark of “Fixed Location…”

6. Parliamentary papers (NB online versions are now available)

7. Periodicals with the classification mark PR CC, PR K through to PR X

8. Priebsch-Closs collection

9.Superseded copies of reference works, directories and yearbooks

10. Institute for the Study of Americas library: selected material in the following areas:

–all periodical titles except the following:

CEPAL Review

Revista de la CEPAL

EcoAméricas

Hispanic American Historical Review

Journal of Inter-American Studies and World Affairs

Journal of Latin American Anthropology

Journal of Latin American Studies

Latin American Politics and Society

Latin American Research Review

NACLA Report on the Americas

World Development

- ‘Old Library’ holdings

Thursday 12/05/11: Advance notice - the Goldsmith's Room will close at 4.00pm

2011-05-09T11:10:00.000+01:00

The Goldsmith's Room, South Block 4th floor Senate House will close at 4.00pm on Thursday 12/05/11.

New database trial

2011-05-05T12:21:00.002+01:00

Orlando is now being trialled at the Senate House Libraries. This is a database of women's writing in the British Isles from the beginings to the present. Please take a look and send the Library your feedback.

Account and E-Resource Access Problems Resolved

2011-05-03T18:59:00.003+01:00

The earlier issues with account and E-Resource access problems have now been resolved.

We apologise for this disruption in service.

Information Systems

Account Access and E-Resource Access

2011-05-03T10:07:00.001+01:00

We are currently experiencing some problems with account and e-resource access.

We are working to resolve the problems as quickly as we can.

Information Systems

The Library is open Saturday 30/04/11 and Monday 02/05/11: 9.45am to 5.30pm

2011-04-30T13:14:00.000+01:00

Last entry into the Library will be at 5.15pm.

Friday 29 April: Library opening hours are 9.45am to 5.30pm.

2011-04-27T13:46:00.000+01:00

Please note that the entry gates into the Library will shut at 5.15pm.

Easter opening hours

2011-04-20T09:02:00.001+01:00

Details of Easter opening times are available on the Opening Hours page of our website.

Performances of 'The Quiet Volume' by Ant Hampton and Tim Etchells at Senate House Library

2011-04-12T16:50:00.001+01:00

Senate House Library is one of the libraries hosting performances of 'The Quiet Volume' by Ant Hampton and Tim Etchells as part of London Word Festival.

The Quiet Volume is a whispered, self-generated performance for two at a time, exploiting the particular tension common to any library worldwide; a combination of silence and concentration within which different people’s experiences of reading unfold. Two readers sit side-by-side. Taking cues from words both written and whispered they find themselves burrowing an unlikely path through a pile of books. The piece exposes the strange magic at the heart of the reading experience, allowing aspects of it we think of as deeply internal to lean out into the surrounding space, and to leak from one reader's sphere into another's.

Peformances at Senate House Library are: April 26-28, April 30, May 3-4

More information / ticket bookings at London Word Festival

Disruption to online library services, Thursday 14th April from 21:00

2011-04-11T16:34:00.004+01:00

The library catalogue at catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk will be unavailable from 21:00 on Thursday 14th April for an estimated two hours. This planned downtime is to allow for essential system changes to our catalogue by staff working for our software vendor.

We are trying to minimise disruption by doing this work out of opening hours. During this work the catalogue will be unavailable so you will not be able to:

Renew loans online or using our automated telephone renewal service
Search the catalogue or request items
Access e-resources (e-journals and databases) authenticated via the catalogue

The Senate House Library Web site and the Archives and Manuscripts catalogue will remain available during this time.

We aim to have all online services, including access to e-journals and databases, back up and running later in the evening of 14th April. We will let you know of any problems - follow Senate House Library on Twitter for updates on the day.

Easter opening hours

2011-04-07T16:58:00.001+01:00

Details of Easter opening times are available on the Opening Hours page of our website.

Thursday 24/03/11: Due to industrial action SHL North Block will close at 5.00pm today. SHL South Block will remain open as usual

2011-03-24T09:36:00.005Z

Updated: Due to industrial action the North Block area of Senate House Library will be closed from 5.00pm. (Close down procedure will begin at 4.30pm.) The Small Hall is now open this afternoon but will be closed from 5.00pm. The South Block of Senate House Library will remain open as usual until 9.00pm (close down procedure will begin at 8.30).

Check our website for the latest information.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

22/03/11: Senate House Library will be closed from 5pm today due to industrial action. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

2011-03-22T13:46:00.002Z

Senate House Library will be closed from 5pm today due to industrial action. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you are returning books there is a drop box located on the ground floor, North Block, Senate House.

18 March 2011: Red Nose Day - All fines taken today will be donated to comic relief

2011-03-18T11:30:00.000Z

It's a great day to pay off any outstanding fine you may have because all Library fines taken today will be donated to Comic Relief!

Senate House Library March 2011 Newsletter now available

2011-03-11T15:30:00.005Z

The new issue of the SHL Newsletter is now available.

In this issue:

Director’s Update: The latest announcements and strategic developments from Director, Christopher Pressler.
News Bites: Spotlighting the latest service and collections related news.
Red Nose Day 2011.
In the library: A quick look at how you can update your Library email address online. Plus information about renting Senate House Library private research carrels.
Digital Resources: Senate House Library now offers access to the Taylor & Francis Geography, Planning, Urban and Environment Online Archive.
Special Collections: Two exciting new exhibitions - one celebrating The T Sturge Moore Collections and the second focusing on Geoffrey Chaucer.
SHeLF: Learn more about the work they carry out, the benefits of becoming a member and the ‘Befriend a Book’ scheme.

SHL Special Collections and the M S Anderson Collection featured in SCONUL Focus

2011-03-07T12:05:00.001Z

An article about SHL Special Collections and the M S Anderson Collection has appeared in the professional press: K.E. Attar, “Russia Revealed: A Senate House Library Case Study of Special Collection Promotion”, SCONUL Focus, 50 (2010), 79-83.

Click on this link to read the full article at the Senate House Library Blog.

New Database Trial

2011-03-03T13:48:00.003Z

UK Press Online is being trialled by the Senate House Library. Two million pages of the 20th Century's biggest-selling newspapers, from 1900 to today, all searchable by name, word, or phrase. Daily Mirror Archive, Daily Express Archive, Sunday Express from 2000 and the Watchman Archive 1835-1885. look on the Database trials page.

Access to Senate House, Thursday 24th February

2011-02-24T09:55:00.002Z

There is increased security in place at Senate House today, for access to the library please show your library card to staff at the entrance.

Senate House Library Supports Red Nose Day 2011 - all Library fines taken on 18/03/11 will be donated to Comic Relief

2011-02-22T16:54:00.001Z

On Red Nose Day 18/03/11 all money taken from Library fines will be donated to Comic Relief.

Click here for the original post at the Senate House Library Blog.

Interview: Jonathan Harrison, Rare Books Librarian, Senate House Library

2011-02-10T10:06:00.003Z

What was his first impression of Senate House Library? What will the rare books of the future be? Find out this and more in the interview with Special Collection's, Rare Books Librarian, Jonathan Harrison.

Read the interview at the Senate House Library blog.

Periodicals Index and Archive Online access restored!

2011-02-01T13:05:00.002Z

ProQuest have restored access to the Periodicals Index and Archive Online.

Periodicals Index and Archive Online Access

2011-02-01T11:34:00.005Z

There is a problem with access to the Periodicals Index and the Periodicals Archive Online. The providers, ProQuest, apologise and expect it will be fixed very soon.

Automated telephone renewals unavailable

2011-01-17T10:39:00.003Z

Our automated telephone service for renewing loans is currently unavailable.

You can still renew your loans online, or by telephone: dial 020 7862 8500 as usual but press '3' instead of '1' to be connected to a member of staff.

This interruption to service is due to a hardware failure. Our Systems Team is working to restore service as soon as possible.

Disruption to library services, Saturday 15th January from 17:30

2011-01-11T10:23:00.001Z

The library catalogue at catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk will be unavailable from 17:30 on Saturday, 15th January for an estimated two hours. This planned downtime is to allow for an upgrade to our system software.

During this upgrade the catalogue will be completely unavailable. This means you will not be able to:

Renew loans online or by phone
Search the catalogue or reserve items
Access e-resources (e-journals and databases) authenticated via the catalogue
Register for membership of Senate House Library

The Senate House Library Web site and the Archives and Manuscripts catalogue will remain available during this time.

We aim to have all online services, including access to e-journals and databases, back up and running later in the evening of 15th January. We will let you know of any problems - follow Senate House Library on Twitter for updates on the day.

The Library is now operating Spring Term opening hours

2011-01-10T12:35:00.001Z

Please visit this page for more information about Library opening hours.

04/01/11 to 07/01/11 - the Library operates vacation hours

2011-01-04T10:40:00.001Z

From Monday 4 January to Friday 7 January 2011 the Library operates vacation hours: 9.00am - 6.00pm. On Saturday 8 January the Library is open 9.45am to 5.30pm. Term time hours will start on Monday 10 January. For more information about opening hours please click here.

Best wishes for 2011 from Senate House Library!

2011-01-03T15:23:00.001Z

Senate House Library opens on Tuesday 4th January at 9.00am.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings to all Library users.

2010-12-21T12:03:00.002Z

Thank you for helping to make 2010 another great year. We wish you a happy New Year - a productive and prosperous 2011!

Catalogue authentication problems resolved

2010-12-20T12:14:00.002Z

There was a problem with our catalogue earlier today that meant services that require you to log in to your library record were not working. This has now been resolved and all services are working normally.
Services affected included renewing loans online, reserving an items, and off-site access to e-resources.

Monday 20 December to Thursday 23 December: The Library will operate vacation hours

2010-12-13T12:13:00.000Z

Monday 20/12/10 - Thursday 23/12/10: The Library will open at 9.00am and close at 6.00pm. Last entry into the Library will be at 5.45pm.

The Library will be closed over the Christmas holidays, from Friday 24 December to Monday 3 January, inclusive.

The Library will reopen at 9.00am on Tuesday 4th January 2011.

The regular Library entrances are back in use

2010-12-10T13:58:00.000Z

All Library services are running without any reported issues.

09/12/10: Access to Senate House Library is via Stewart House today

2010-12-08T09:44:00.003Z

For security reasons access to Senate House Library is via Stewart House (which is Located between Senate House and Russell Square). Please note that it is not possible to enter Senate House via Malet Street or from Torrington Square (the Birkbeck/SOAS North side of the building).

The way in through Stewart House is clearly indicated, please follow the signs, which will take you into the South Block of Senate House.

A drop box will be provided at the most conveniant location closest to the Stewart House entrance should users wish to return books.

All Library services are otherwise running as normal. We apologise for any inconveniance caused.

Advance Notice: From 1st January 2011 paid membership charges will change to reflect the 2.5% increase in VAT

2010-12-06T12:29:00.000Z

From the 1st January 2011 the Government will increase the rate of VAT to 20%. Our current paid membership rates will be increased to reflect this.

The Depository store (Egham) is open as normal today

2010-12-03T15:00:00.000Z

Status update: All Depository store services and deliveries are up and running as usual.

Depository Store closed today

2010-12-02T09:30:00.000Z

Due to bad weather our off-site Depository store in Egham is closed today.

This means there will be no deliveries of requested 'store' items from the Depository today. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Important Notice: The libraries in Senate House will be closed Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th November

2010-11-23T20:01:00.000Z

Due to operational difficulties beyond our control the libraries in Senate House will be closed Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th November.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Fines accrued on 24th and 25th will be waived.

Foundation Day 25/11/10: the South Block of SHL will close at 3.00pm

2010-11-15T11:17:00.002Z

To accommodate University of London's Foundation Day the South Block of SHL will close at 3.00pm. Close down procedure to clear the Library will begin earlier. The North Block of SHL will remain open as usual (until 9.00pm, last entry 8.45pm).

Please note that there will be no stack fetch service available from 3.00pm (the last fetch will take place at 1.00pm). Items may be requested remotely through the online catalogue but will not be available for collection until the following morning.

Two new database trials

2010-11-12T15:42:00.006Z

There are two new database trials available in the Senate House Library, the Philosophy Documentation Centre journals and Philosophy Research Index . The Documentation Centre allows you to browse through issues of dozens of scholarly journals, series, and conference proceedings in philosophy, religious studies, and classics. The Index provides bibliographic information on articles, books, reviews, dissertations, and other documents in philosophy from 1400 to the present, approximately 650,000 citations.

02/11/10: The Library will close at 7.00PM this evening due to strike action on the London Underground.

2010-11-02T17:45:00.000Z

The Library will close at 7.00PM this evening due to strike action on the London Underground. Close down procedure will begin at 6.30PM. We apologise for any inconvenience.