Using the Library space

We are committed to enabling access to the range of services and facilities that we offer.

AccessAble guide to the Library

AccessAble provide short reports that outline the disabled and access features at a particular venue. There is a AccessAble guide for LSE Library that provides information to help people in using the building and services.

Services we offer

• Three study rooms, equipped with assistive IT equipment, located on the 1st floor.
• Two IT work station areas comprising of standard workstations on the 1st floor as well as quick access, height-adjustable standing PCs on the ground floor are all reserved for LSE students with Inclusion Plans.
• A braille printer and video magnifying systems (CCTV) are located within the 1st floor study rooms.
• A resource request service to facilitate easy access to the collections.
• Flexible borrowing arrangements, including extended loan periods and increased borrowing allowances to suit individual needs.
• Free book lockers for the duration of your course. Contact us for details.
• Free photocopying and printing is available via the Reprographics department for LSE students who have been referred by the Disability and Wellbeing Service.
• A Buddy service which provides you with a designated member of staff who will advise and assist you throughout your time at LSE.

Contact

To request room and space bookings as well as requests for accessing the Library collections, use the study space request form for students with My Adjustments.

You can also email us.

Using our collections

Our collections combine print and online material. Where possible and appropriate, we prioritise the purchase of online material so we can provide access to the widest possible audience. However, we remain flexible and will always try to acquire material in the most appropriate format. We try to ensure that all online material is accessible and easy to access.

All ebook platforms provide an accessibility statement, guided by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and most submit to the ASPIRE assessment, to demonstrate they are as accessible as possible. Most platforms support screen-reading using the most widely-used browsers and software.

Ebooks can be viewed online and/or downloaded. If ebooks cannot be downloaded, you should use the view online feature (a built-in ereader) and whilst this is usually accessible, there may be limits to how much you can customise your reading experience.

If ebooks can be downloaded, some may be more accessible than others, due to limits placed by publishers, the types of files and which software needs to be used to open the ebooks. You may have different experiences accessing ebooks.

As a rule, we aim to purchase the most accessible formats possible, which usually means fully downloadable with no restrictions, and for users to be able to use their preferred screen-reading software to make their experience as beneficial for them as possible.