About SOAS Library

The SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.   

The library attracts scholars from all over the world to consult its holdings and further their research. The Library houses over 1.3 million volumes at the SOAS campus at Russell Square in central London, together with a major collection of archives, manuscripts, rare books and special collections, an expanding Digital Library and a growing network of electronic resources. 

The mission of SOAS Library is to provide high quality information resources, services and systems to reflect and support SOAS' standing as a leading national and international centre of excellence for research, learning and teaching, for and about Asia, Africa and the Middle East.  

Built in 1973, the SOAS Library was designed by the eminent architect Sir Denys Lasdun, who designed some of Britain's most famous brutalist buildings including the National Theatre on London's Southbank, and the Institute of Education.

SOAS library is a masterpiece of brutalist architecture and has achieved a Grade II* listing. 

SOAS Library commits to the RLUK and IFLA statements on libraries and intellectual freedom. As libraries have a responsibility to carry the widest variety of materials it should be clear that the inclusion of a work in SOAS Library's collections, on its shelves or in its catalogues is not to be taken as in any way an endorsement of the views expressed within the work or a mark of approval of the work's author(s). 

Collaborative collecting 

• Nationally, the Library is a member of RLUK (Research Libraries UK) and participates fully in RLUK activities 
• The Library is a member of SCOLMA (Africa), MELCOM (the Middle East) and other groups for China (EASL, CLG), Japan (JLG), Korea (KLG) South-East Asia (SEALG), Art (LAHLF) and Law (FLARE) 
• The Library has agreements with other leading research libraries

SOAS National Research Library performs a national role by virtue of our scope and specialisation.