Introduction

Senate House Libraries, University of London constitute one of the world's most significant collections in the arts, humanities and social sciences. The eight collaborating libraries, at Senate House and for the Institutes of the School of Advanced Study together provide services to over 100,000 registered readers every year, from Colleges of the University and from the UK and international research base.

Located in the centre of London and with a strong online presence, Senate House Libraries deliver essential services to individuals, research teams, students and partners from almost 200 countries.

Clarity and purpose are essential to the prospects of wider humanities research. Our future depends on confidence and authority concerning who we are, why we are here and on the broader contribution that collecting in, and teaching and studying of, the social sciences, arts and humanities make to society. What has so often been perceived as a difficulty, namely the attempt to store and use extensive quantities of printed arts, social science and humanities knowledge, is in fact a defining strength. Our libraries in London, and by default our researchers are at the centre of the greatest concentration of collections anywhere in the world. The galleries, museums, societies, universities and libraries in the centre of London are a remarkable, unique and shared resource.

Senate House Libraries, as is the case with all of the world's most significant collections will adapt to and exploit the digital age whilst also providing exceptional reading rooms of the highest quality.

Finally, the development of our collections and of the staff who interpret them will be guiding aims for the future.

Christopher Pressler

Director of Senate House Libraries