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Using the library

See our membership page for details on how to join the library.

Finding and borrowing items

Loan entitlements

LSHTM Staff and students: 15 items (only one item from the Overnight Loan Collection may be borrowed at a time).

External members: 5 standard loan items (no material from the one-week, overnight or reference collections, no Library laptops or locks).

Loan periods

Standard loans: 2 weeks.
Key texts: 1 week. 
Overnight loans: Due back at 9.30am the next day (11.00am on Sundays). Available to members of the School only.
Reference Collection: For use in the Library only.

Items that have been reserved by another user must be returned by the revised due date.

Reserving material

If you need an item that is on loan to another user, members of the School can place a reservation on the item via Discover. You will need to login using your computer username and password. You will get an email as soon as the item is available for collection. The item will be held by the Library for a maximum of 5 working days.

Library fines and blocks

Your library account will be blocked if you have an overdue loan reserved by another user; a non-reserved loan overdue by more than 30 days; or charges over £20. This means you will not be able to borrow, reserve, renew or order material via inter-library loan.

Renewing loans

Unless recalled, standard loans and key texts will be automatically renewed for students (up to 12 weeks) and staff (up to 24 weeks). Overdue items must be returned immediately. External Members are not able to renew items.

Regulations for users

Further information about the rules users of Library, Archive & Open Research Services are expected to follow can be found in the LAORS Regulations for Users.

Using other libraries

Users have access to a wide variety of other libraries if the material they need is not available at the School. Items that are not held in nearby libraries can be ordered through the Library's Inter Library Loans Service. For information about the Inter Library Loans service, see the library intranet pages.

University of London
All members of the School can use most libraries within the University of London for reference. You will need to show your School ID when you visit, and may need additional documentation. See the University of London Libraries Access Agreement for details.

Senate House Library
Current members of the School can join Senate House Library by visiting the membership desk on the fourth floor of Senate House. Just bring your School ID to register. Academic staff are given membership for 3 years or until the end of their current contract. PSP staff and students are given membership for one year. In addition to borrowing, membership also allows users to access Senate House Library's e-resources.

Other UK Universities
Members of the School can join many UK university libraries (including libraries within the University of London) as borrowers via the SCONUL Access Scheme.

Academic staff are given membership for 3 years or until the end of their current contract. Students are given membership until their LSHTM library account expiry date. When staff and students leave LSHTM, their SCONUL Access membership is revoked.

During vacation times, taught course students of the School can use other university libraries for reference via the SCONUL Summer Vacation Access Scheme.

British Library
LSHTM staff and students may have reference access on production of School ID, proof of home address and signature.

King's Fund
LSHTM staff and students may have reference access.

Staff and students

For remote access, training and booking of any facilities see the library intranet pages.