Humanities & Social Sciences Resource Guide

What is it?

The British Library is the UK's national library, with over 170 million items on the shelves. Items include books, newspapers, maps, recordings and more, including plenty of material relevant to the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Membership is free. 

Note: at the time of writing, the British Library is still recovering from a cyber attack. Services are limited. You can still get a temporary reader pass to visit the library, which lasts for three months. 

For more information on registration, follow this link.

For more information on the cyber attack, follow this link.

Where can I access it?

The British Library is on Euston Road, a short trip from Euston Station and King's Cross St Pancras station. 

Some material is available to access from the shelves in the reading rooms. Other material has to be ordered for use in the library.

Alternatively, browse the online catalogue here.

Why use it?

The British Library is a great resource for all material, whether you want literature from healthcare or the arts, humanities and social sciences. As one of the largest libraries in the world, you are likely to find what you need.

The Library also has plenty of study space.

The British Library has electronic resources, but these are limited due to the cyber attack.

How do I use it?

Once you are registered, you can use the British Library's reading rooms. Unlike other libraries, you cannot take books out. Books have to be ordered for use in the library. 

The British Library's catalogue can help you find the resources you might need. The reading rooms FAQ has information on how to effectively use the British Library.

Limitations and Notes

• Books cannot be borrowed from the library
• Due to the cyber-attack, services are limited. See the British Library website for the latest updates on service provision