We all have begun our fully-fledged study time at LSE, and I thought that this is a good time to provide guidance to all of those book lovers who are unable to find their books in the LSE library due to dire or unfortunate circumstances.

My first two weeks in the LSE Library were shocking because most books I required were in the course collection section, and there were only 1 – 2 copies, which were already issued! (The course collection section in the LSE library allows you to issue books for only three days, and there is a provision to request these books if they are already issued. But unfortunately, three days are too little for a slow reader like me).

There were also many books which were not available as online copies in the LSE Library catalogue and my search attempts were turning out to be really futile. That’s when I met my Academic supervisor who suggested that I check out the British Library.

The British Library is a sprawling campus in Euston with 13,000 kilogram of books on millions of shelves. And it’s so beautiful that once you enter, you will be awe-struck for at least 10 minutes (I did count the time, even though I was pretty dazed). It’s pretty easy to reach the Library, just take bus no. 59 or 91 from LSE and it drops you right in front of the library.

Membership to the British library is simple, but can get a little bit complicated if you do not have the appropriate documents. Master’s students are given free membership for a year, but spaces in the reading rooms are limited, so do register as soon as possible!

The Library is open from Monday to Sunday, with working hours from 9.30am – 8pm on weekdays and 9.30am – 5pm on Saturdays and 11 – 5pm on Sundays.

To access the books, documents or archives of the library, one has to seek membership to the reading rooms. I would suggest that you pre-register online as you can order your books before you come to the library. More information about pre-registration

Once you have registered, you will be given a reader id. Please remember to note it down as you will need it during your official registration. The following documents need to be provided in the reader registration office of the library after you have pre- registered online:

1. Signature proof: For international and EU students, I suggest you should provide your passport as proof. UK students can provide one of the following documents:

• Driving Licence
• Bank Card
• Credit Card
• National Identity Card
• Police/Customs/Home Office/Warrant Card
• Sea/Air Masters Licence

(Some National ID cards do not have addresses printed on them – so I would suggest that you do not show these, as they wouldn’t be accepted).

Also, do not carry photo copies of the documents, just carry the originals. The staff will look the documents, take a photo copy themselves and give the originals back to you.

2. Proof of address: For LSE students living in LSE Residence halls, you can provide a Residence letter from your residence, stating that you live in the LSE Residence hall, detailing the beginning and end dates of your stay.

Those students who live in University halls of residence can also provide the same. The British Library staff don’t like to accept the Certificate of Registration printed by LSE, so carry your student ID card with you, or your CFL letter from LSE. (Usually they will register you, but try being on the safe side and get a letter from your hall of residence or at least a visiting card of your warden, if possible).

Those who live in London or outside the Halls of Residence and University halls, should provide one of the following documents as address proof:

Not less than three months old:

• Utility Bill (Gas, Electricity, Telephone, Internet, Water)
• Bank/Building Society Statement (no online/bank branch print-offs)
• Credit Card Statement
• Pension/Benefit/Family Credit letter statement (showing current receipt of benefits)
• Pay Slips (where employer’s and employee’s addresses are stated)

OR

Must have been issued in the current year:

• HM Revenue and Customs Statement (not National insurance cards, numbers or correspondence)
• Home Insurance Policy
• Council Tax Bill
• TV Licence

OR

Must have a current address:

• Firearms Licence
• Home Office permit to stay/police registration document
• Passports (where the address has been officially entered by the issuing authority)
• National Identity Card with address (where the address has been officially entered by the issuing authority)
• Driving Licence with address (where the address has been officially entered by the issuing authority)

Source for all of this information

Post registration, you can access the reading rooms, and I suggest that everyone starts their sojourn in Humanities 1, which is located on the first floor.

Other things to be kept in mind in the Library:

– No pens are allowed. You can take notes only in pencil. I suggest you carry a pencil, eraser and sharpener with you, otherwise you will have to buy one in the British Library shop, which is very expensive!

– Bags need to be kept in the cloakroom in the basement and all books, notepads, laptops, etc. need to be kept inside polythene bags (provided by the Library – you can find them right in front of the cloakroom)

– No water or food is allowed inside the reading room – so make sure you’re fully fed and watered before you go in!

– Most books take 70 minutes to be delivered in your reading room, some may take more than 48 hours, so check these on the British Library catalogue before you come to the library!

– You can carry LSE library books inside, you can also carry laptops, iPads, cellphones (in fact, every reader desk has a plug-in point)

The British library is an excellent resource and those who are willing to make the best use of it will find it the most beautiful haven for academic pursuit (and it’s free!). Apart from the reading rooms, there are also free exhibits and galleries inside the Library, my favourite one is located on the Ground floor, which houses original works of Shakespeare, Florence Nightingale and the Beatles!

There are also numerous other exhibits for which one can book tickets. Currently an exhibition on Gothic tradition is on at the Library.

I hope I was able to clear as many queries as I could about the British Library membership through my post! I am looking forward to seeing my fellow LSE Masters students with me in the Library!

Part 2 will talk about membership in the Senate House library, so keep watching this space!

– Ankita