Using other Libraries
If Goldsmiths doesn't have all the material you need for your research, there are other libraries that you can use.
Senate House Library
Goldsmiths students and staff can self-register to join Senate House Library, the central library for the University of London. Membership allows you to borrow books and to access electronic resources off-campus. As Senate House subscribes to many electronic resources that we do not, it is recommended that you become a member. Register for Senate House Library.
Senate House Library's catalogue allows you to search by author, title, periodical, ISBN, etc. If a book is available, please visit and borrow directly from Senate House Library. Books should be returned to Senate House directly, not to Goldsmiths. You can log-in to renew books.
Inter-Library Loans
You can request an inter-library loan of a book or a journal article by logging into your library account on Library Search. Choose Inter-Library Loan and then sign-in. Use the book or journal article templates to make your request.
Sconul Access
SCONUL Access is a scheme which allows many university library users to borrow or use books and journals at other libraries which belong to the scheme.
To apply for access, visit this page and then complete the two steps asking which kind of student you are and your home institution. You will see all university libraries you are eligible to use. You can apply to use a specific library but you will actually have access to all libraries that participate in the scheme. Once you have applied, you will receive confirmation from us shortly after than your application has been successful. Print/Show this email to the library you then wish to visit. Reference or borrowing permissions will be provided depending on the level of student you are.
Check the entry requirements for each library before you visit. Some libraries will allow you access with just your Goldsmiths ID card but for others you may need to apply for SCONUL Access.
Other library catalogues
There are tools that allow you to search across multiple library catalogues, if you are looking for a specific resource. The two main compendium catalogues, JISC and WorldCat, will identify which libraries hold the material you are looking for:
| Jisc Library Hub Discover provides unified access to around two hundred UK and Irish academic, national and specialist library catalogues. Search by author, title, ISBN, etc. to receive a list of results of libraries | |
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Worldcat is a global catalogue of library materials and allows you to find materials in a library near you. This searches internationally, although you can enter your postcode to reveal the closest libraries to you. |
Art Libraries
Recommended art libraries and archives in London
- BFI Reuben Library (British Film Institute)
- The Courtauld Institute Library
- Diversity Art Forum
- Drawing Room Outset Study Library
- Live Art Development Agency
- MayDay Rooms
- National Art Library, Victoria & Albert Museum, UK
- The RIBA Library - Royal Institute of British Architects
- Stuart Hall Library at Iniva - (International Institute of Visual Arts)
- Tate Library and Archive Collections
- UCL (Slade) Library
- University of the Arts libraries (part of SCONUL)
- The Whitechapel Gallery Archive
Public Libraries
An underrated library service for academic research is actually your local public library. Most will have access to various electronic resources that might be of use, e.g. audio books. Registering with your local library is usually simple. Here is a list of library websites for local boroughs:
