University of London LLM students – set yourself up for success with IALS Library
This post was first published on 20/09/2021.
Author: Alice Tyson, IALS Access Librarian.
LLM Students at UCL, LSE, King’s College, Queen Mary, SOAS and Birkbeck are eligible to join the national library for legal research
If you’re a new LLM student at one of the University of London colleges, there’s already a lot to think about. You might be finding your way around London, settling in to your accommodation and meeting new people, not to mention keeping on top of the reading. Whilst your to-do list might be long, there’s one thing you can do right now that will help you on your way to LLM success. What’s more, it only takes around two minutes!
Join IALS Library for free access to our many resources and your future self will thank you for it!
IALS is by far my favourite library in London. It is very comfortable for studying and I can concentrate easily
Comment made in the IALS Library Reader Satisfaction Survey, summer 2021
IALS Library, the national library for legal research
The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Library (IALS Library) is the national library for legal research. We have some of the most extensive research collections in Europe. We also offer comfortable study space, online resources you can use from home, and the advice and support of our specialist law librarians.
We usually only admit PhD researchers and academic university staff, but by special arrangement with the University of London, as an LLM student at UCL, LSE, King’s College, Queen Mary, SOAS or Birkbeck, you are also eligible to join.
How to join
Joining is really quick and easy, simply fill in the online admissions application form for postgraduate students and upload a photo of your university ID card. It only takes a couple of minutes to complete. Our team will process your application and email you with details of your new membership. If you have any questions about joining, email us at ials.libmembership@sas.ac.uk
What can you do once you’ve joined?
Use our quiet and comfortable study space
Our reading rooms have been recently refurbished, creating a bright, comfortable space. We maintain a quiet and scholarly atmosphere for study and research, something that our members consistently tell us they really appreciate.
Come to our online or in-person training sessions
Throughout the year we offer training sessions aimed at helping you find and use the legal materials you will need for your LLM assignments and dissertation.
In autumn 2021 we’re offering both online and in-person training sessions. The full programme is available to book online and you’re welcome to come to as many training sessions as you want.
It was absolutely excellent. Comprehensive, informative and clear. Thank you!
Feedback given after a training session, autumn 2020
Borrow books
As a postgraduate only library, we’re able to focus all of our books budget on purchasing works at the postgraduate research level. We also buy a copy of every book on your LLM reading lists. Once you’ve joined IALS Library you can come in to browse and borrow books to use at home. Our Click & Collect service makes it easy to borrow the books you need.
Use our online resources
IALS Library is not just for hardcopy books (although we do have a LOT of those); we also give you access to many legal research databases as well as thousands of e-books and e-journals. Many of them are available to access remotely, so you can study from wherever you feel most comfortable.
Get help from our law librarians
No law library is complete without a law librarian. At IALS Library we have a team of over 20 dedicated law librarians and support staff who are able to help you find the legal materials you need during your LLM. You can get help by speaking to us at the Enquiries Desk on the 2nd floor, using the ‘live chat’ on our website, or emailing us at ials@sas.ac.uk.
We look forward to welcoming you to IALS Library soon!