Who can use this service?
LSE staff and students
All current LSE staff and students with a valid Library account can use the Get It For Me Service. Follow the instructions outlined on this page.
Teaching staff: requested material is licensed for personal research only. Use Reading Lists to request teaching materials. Contact your academic librarian for assistance.
LSE alumni
Alumni can request titles by emailing library.collection.development@lse.ac.uk. Do not use the GET IT FOR ME form outlined below.
All other visitors
Unfortunately we are unable to provide this service to visitors.
What can I ask for?
Just tell us what you need and we will do our best to add it to our collection, or get it from another library.
You can choose whether to request a book in print or as an ebook. If the book is not available in your chosen format, we’ll contact you with alternative options. Chapters and articles are always delivered electronically.
If we already hold a book but it is missing or long overdue, or if there are issues with accessing the ebook, let us know in the comments section of the request form and we can look for replacement or alternative options.
How many can I ask for?
We have limits on the number of books that you can request for purchase in an academic year (approx. 1 September to 31 August).
- Alumni: 10 items
- Undergraduate: 10 items
- Taught postgraduate: 15 items
- Research students and staff: 20 items
There are no limits on requests for scans of articles or book chapters. Please use the correct options on the form for these resource types.
How long do requests take to arrive?
We can get you the following, with average delivery times:
- a print book (inc. titles we hold as an ebook only): 2 to 4 weeks*
- an ebook (inc. titles we hold in print only) : 1 week
- a single chapter of a book : 1 to 2 working days
- a journal article (one article per issue) : 1 to 2 working days
*Depending on availability with suppliers/lending libraries. Titles may arrive sooner, and some titles may take longer (eg, older and/or non-UK publications).
How to tell us about an ebook, article or chapter you want
1. Check details using Google Books, Worldcat or Library Hub Discover.
2. Sign in to your Library account.
3. Select the 'GET IT FOR ME' option in the site navigation.
4. Fill out the online form with request details.
5. We'll email you with a confirmation of a print order, a link to the item, or with alternative options depending on the availability of the requested format. We usually respond within 24 hours or 2 to 3 working days in the case of print books.
6. Check request progress through your Library Account.
How to speed things up
- Chapters are available for rapid delivery if you submit the chapter title, number, or page range into the form.
- Be specific and accurate with what you want so we can work out the quickest way to get it for you.
- If you're asking for an article, using the DOI autofill will save time and ensure the details are accurate.
- Copyright law allows only one article or chapter from a journal or book. Request the whole item if you want more.
Interlending services for external libraries
We can supply books or electronic copies of articles or chapters.
Email us requests providing the following information:
- Your British Library Billing Code
- Request reference
- Your request details (Title, Author etc.)
- Your British Library Location Code
We require that all requests are sent via ISO exchange where possible. Requests via email will only be accepted if ISO exchange is not supported by your LMS. Please read this for more information about this change.
Renewals and returns for external libraries
LSE Library supplies print inter-library loans with a six month loan period, with no renewals unless under exceptional circumstances. This is to remove the need to request renewals, and therefore reduce administrative processes on both sides.
Fees for external libraries
We charge current British Library prices.