LSE Library

Description

LSE Library, also known as the British Library of Political and Economic Science, is the library of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Founded in 1896, it selects and collects material in the social sciences and humanities to support global research, with particular strengths in economics, political history, law, and social reform. The Library supports original research through collaborative projects, curatorial expertise, specialist research infrastructure and access to unique collections.

Supporting scholarship and open access

LSE Library actively supports digital scholarship and open access. Its major online access points include:

LSE Research Online: the repository for LSE publications, research data and PhD theses.

LSE Digital Library: over 500k pages of digitised documents, pamphlets, and archival collections.

Charles Booth's London: an interactive resource based on Booth's late 19th-century poverty survey.

LSE Press: the School's open access publishing platform.

Google Arts & Culture and Flickr: curated online exhibits and high-resolution historical photos.

Search its specialist catalogues to discover extensive research collections and more.

Secure data access

LSE Library hosts a SafePod and SafePoint Hub, trusted research environments where approved researchers can access sensitive datasets from participating data centres. The facility is part of the UK-wide SafePod Network, enabling researchers to work securely with data that cannot normally be accessed outside accredited settings. Learn about SafePod Network services at LSE.

Archives and special collections

Its archives and special collections include The Women's Library (the UK's oldest and largest collection dedicated to women's history and campaigning), the Hall-Carpenter Archives (one of the UK's most significant archives documenting LGBTQ+ history), and extensive social science collections in the broadest sense. More on the archives and special collections.

Outreach activities 

It is piloting an LSE Library Fellowship scheme, funding three researchers, one for each of its three broad subject collections, who are due to present their work in spring 2027. It also offers a programme for schools and an active events and exhibitions programme - all free and open to all. What's on at LSE Library.

Accreditations

It is one of five National Research Libraries funded by Research England; its collections are designated as outstanding by Arts Council England, and it holds material inscribed by UNESCO onto the Memory of the World Register.

Currently active

Yes

Offers funding

Yes, this infrastructure provides funding in the following categories:

Founding year

1896

Contact details

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Categorisation

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University affiliation(s)

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
London