Use the Library

The SOAS Library is home to over 1.3 million volumes, periodicals and audio-visual materials in 400 languages, and special collections of manuscripts, rare books, and archives  – all focusing on the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. 

Everyone is welcome to visit the Library and make use of our extensive collections, even if it's only for one day. If you wish to access SOAS Library please complete the online application form before visiting. 

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SOAS staff and students can borrow most items from our book collections using the self-service machines on the ground floor. UK University PhD students and academic staff with SOAS Library visitor cards can borrow from the Main Collection.

If you have a borrowing membership, you can borrow up to five books at a time for 2-weeks. You can renew books up to five times. 

Some material on the open shelves is for reference use only within the Library. Whether an item is loanable or not will be indicated within Library Search.

Returning books

Return books using the self-service machines on the ground floor of the Library. Follow the on-screen instructions indicating whether to put the book on the shelves or in the request box. 

If you don't want to enter the Library, place your books into the external drop box.

Request books

Books are shared across all readers and our teaching collections can be in high demand. To ensure the fair circulation of material we have a process where SOAS staff and students can request a book that is on loan to another reader.

SOAS students and staff can automatically access the SOAS Library using your passes. If you're not a member of student or staff, don't worry we have a number of membership options available to you which are easily accessible using our SOAS Library Membership Form. 

Library ejournals, ebooks and databases 

Your library membership allows you to use online resources for research or study when you visit the library. Please also see SOAS Digital Library.  

Before you visit SOAS Library

You must complete an online registration form and wait until SOAS Library emails you to confirm that your library membership card is ready to collect. Please read the email carefully so that you bring the right proof of address and ID with you to collect your card. 

Allow up to 5 working days for your application to be processed and for you to be contacted to confirm that your card is ready to collect. 

Guests

Please note that we are unable to accommodate guests of staff, students or visitors. All library visitors must pre-book and visitors who do not have an appointment will not be admitted. 

Further information is available from libenquiry@soas.ac.uk

We have a wide range of study spaces available, with seats in silent zones, PC areas and group study areas. All of our study spaces are used on a first come first served basis. 

We also have priority study spaces and support for users with accessibility needs. If you would like more information on where these spaces are located or how to use them, please visit the front desk by the entrance of the library, or contact us prior to arrival either on email at libenquiry@soas.ac.uk or by phone at 0207 898 4163.

Visitors from other UK universities can use the Eduroam Wi-Fi service at SOAS. You can register for this with your home institution and use the service via your laptop to access your own institution's WiFi network and online resources. Further details can be found on the Eduroam website. 

Printing is available to all library users.