What is the ULRLS?
The ULRLS - the University of London Research Library Services - comprises, collectively, the libraries at the centre of the University of London. These are the Senate House Library, and the libraries of the Institutes of the School of Advanced Study. This group of libraries, which between them constitute outstanding research collections in the humanities and social sciences, are being brought together in a convergence programme. The Information Strategy
, approved by the University Council in 2005, sets out the rationale and vision behind the developments that are planned.
The convergence process will entail a gradual process of change over the next few years, during which we hope that users will increasingly see benefits. We shall be striving to protect and maintain the key features of the present system to the advantage of all those who use it. During 2005 the catalogues of the libraries were brought together into one database, so it is now possible to search seamlessly across the whole, or collection by collection. Staff are working more closely together between the libraries, and collections are being examined to establish clearer policies and to eliminate unnecessary duplication. In 2008, three Institute collections (Americas, Commonwealth and Germanic Studies) are due to relocate into Senate House, thus increasing accessibility to the enlarged resource, in one building.
The combined holdings of the libraries amount to almost 3 million volumes, including many thousands of journals, and numerous deep and rich collections of research materials in subjects across the humanities and social sciences. The special collections embrace spectacular treasures like Shakespeare’s First Folio or the Coverdale Bible; renowned collections like the Goldsmiths’ Library of Economic Literature; and unusual and unique resources like the Harry Price Magic collection, the political pamphlets of the Institutes of Commonwealth and Latin American Studies, or the 300,000 photographs in the Warburg Institute. Altogether the libraries provide over 12 miles of open shelf access to collections, an important aspect of the resource which few libraries can match. These traditional materials are complemented by a growing range of e-resources. Click here for fuller details of all the libraries, their collections, their opening hours and their access policies.
The first strategic plan for ULRLS, with more detail about we are and what we plan to do, was generated in summer 2006 and is available here. This is currently a document for consultation and I would welcome comments on any aspect of the plan from any of our many stakeholders and users.
David Pearson
Director, ULRLS
October 2006
