Finding materials not held by LSE Library
You can search Library catalogues from all over the world to identify material. If you can't get to the holding Library, then you can always request material via our Inter Library Loan| service.
See our page on using other libraries| for links to other University & National Libraries and useful links
The two databases below allow you to search for material from several different Libraries.
COPAC|
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Content: Free access Library catalogues of major UK research libraries
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Coverage: Cross search the catalogues of over 20 large research libraries, including the British Library, LSE, British Library, UCL, Kings, Wellcome Library etc
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Features
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Results can be imported into Endnote-can also be searched directly from Endnote
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Book availability for most Libraries- i.e. you can see if something is listed as being available or on loan
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Better interface than the British Library's own catalogue
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Can cross search Library catalogues rather than searching each individually
World cat|
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Content: worldwide Library catalogues from
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Coverage: If it's stocked by a member library, then you will see it-be prepared for frustration on locating obscure items though. The link from the Library catalogue takes you to the home page of the parent service, in this case OCLC FirstSearch. From here choose the Databases tab and then you can select WorldCat
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Date range: literally 1066 and All that follows
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Updates: Daily
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Features
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Results can be imported into Endnote
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Searches can be saved to rerun at a later date (you must register with OCLC to do this)
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Cross searching available with the other OCLC FirstSearch databases to which LSE subscribes
InforM25||
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Content: Library catalogues of university and museum libraries in and around London
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Coverage: Cross search the catalogues of nearby university and museum libraries
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Access: Freely available
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Features:
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Can limit search to north, inner or south London or choose specific library catalogues.
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Most included libraries can be accessed under the SCONUL scheme.
Using other libraries
If you are an LSE student you will be able to use most other libraries of the University of London. There may also be other specialist libraries and collections you might be able to visit, such as the Library of the Wellcome Institute| for medical and Health topics. Once you have joined the Wellcome Library you will have access to their printed and online collections-some of their online resources can be accessed outside of the Wellcome library.
To find out more look at the Library's web pages on other libraries|, or ask at the Help Desk.