The Warburg Renaissance project
The Warburg Renaissance project will transform our much-loved but long-neglected building by restoring its original vision and making it ready for future generations. Building work begins on 4 July 2022 and will last for 18 months. The building will be refurbished in three phases and a 2-storey new build extension will be constructed in the courtyard.
Care has been taken to ensure that the majority of the collections remain available during the project. Unfortunately, our bound periodicals have been moved off-site and are inaccessible until the end of the project, but all other collections remain available.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE LOCATIONS OF THE COLLECTIONS
Library rare books and manuscripts
The Library's special collections have been moved to their temporary new home in Stewart House (32 Russell Square, WC1B 5DN).
Please ask at the Reading Room enquiries desk or email warburg.library@sas.ac.uk if you would like to consult items designated as Warburg Rare Books/Apply to staff on the library catalogue. Special collections materials is not available on Saturdays as Stewart House is closed. We may require up to 24 hours warning in order to provide access to rare books and manuscripts in the Stewart House Reading Room.
FAQs
How do I register for a library card?
Please check our Join the Library page to see if you are eligible to use the library.
When visiting the Institute for the first time, please make sure you bring the necessary photographic ID stated on our admissions page and, if required, a letter of recommendation. A member of staff in the Reading Room will issue you with your Warburg library card and give you a brief guide to how to use the library.
Are bags allowed in the library?
No, bags are not allowed in the Library. They should be left in the lockers in the Reading Room corridor. Locker tokens are provided. If you require a clear plastic bag to take your belongings into the library, please ask at the Reading Room desk.
Suitcases, holdalls and rucksacks may not be brought into the Institute unless they can fit into a locker (41 x 24 x 42 cm).
Can I borrow books from the Warburg Library?
No, the library is a reference-only collection meaning that books cannot be borrowed. You can keep up to 10 books on reserve in the ground floor Reading Room.
What COVID-19 precautions are in place?
As of 3 May 2022, we no longer require readers to wear face masks or to book a desk in advance.
However, we ask all readers to continue to be considerate of others, to observe basic social distancing while in the library, and to wash hands regularly or use the hand sanitizer provided, particularly before handling books.
We are opening windows and doors to allow for extra ventilation on all floors and using a carbon dioxide monitor to check air quality.
The building is cleaned daily and wipes are available next to the copiers and computers, should you wish to clean surfaces before use.
How do I connect to wifi?
You can use your valid library card to connect to the WiFi network in the building.
- Network: UoL Libraries
- Username: reader card number (no spaces)
- Password: surname (in lower case)
Eduroam users can log in using the Eduroam service.
If you have any connection problems, try the Wi-Fi help guide provided by Senate House Library or talk to library staff in the Reading Room.
As stated in the Library Regulations, all users must adhere to the University of London Acceptable Use Policy. Should you not comply with the these regulations, the Institute may suspend or terminate your access.
How do I scan, print or photocopy?
Digital scans: The overhead scanner in the Reading Room corridor is free to use. You will need a USB stick to save your scans. If you don't have one with you, you can purchase a 16GB USB drive in the Reading Room for £5.
Photocopying, printing and scanning to email: You will need to register for a PaperCut account to use the two copiers located in the Reading Room corridor. See our copying guide for more information on how to use PaperCut and the charges for each service.
Please show your books at the Reading Room desk before copying.
Is there somewhere to eat and drink in the Institute?
Not at the moment, unfortunately. The Common Room on the Lower Ground floor is now closed due to to the Warburg Renaissance redevelopment project.
No food or drink may be consumed in the library.
Do you offer a scan and deliver service?
We don't offer a scan and deliver service.
If you require a scan of an article or chapter, and you are not able to visit the library in person, please order through the Inter Library Loan service of your home library. Please note that for copyright reasons we can only supply one article or chapter, or up to 5% of a book, through digital Inter-Library Loan. Find out more about our Inter-Library Loan service.
If you require a digital scan of an image from our collection, we can provide high quality digital images suitable for publication. Find out more about our reproduction service for high quality digital images.