THE HOUSE OF LORDS LIBRARY
by Dr Elizabeth Hallam Smith, Director of Information Services and Librarian

The House of Lords Library delivers research, reference and loans services to Members in support of the legislative, deliberative and judicial functions of the House. Factual and impartial answers are provided on a confidential basis to research and reference enquiries from individual Members.

The Library consists of a main suite of rooms close to the Chamber comprising the Truro Room, the Derby Room, the Brougham Room, in which are displayed the daily papers and most of the periodicals, and the Queen’s Room, in which the Research and Information Desks and computing facilities for Members are located. Beyond the main suite is the Salisbury Room – a silence room. There is also a branch library in Millbank House. Tours of the Library’s rooms and guidance on using its electronic and printed resources are provided for Members on request.

Parliamentary debates, parliamentary papers, legal textbooks and law reports and items from the Library’s collection of periodicals, reports, pamphlets and deposited papers are available for reference purposes. Most other books in the Library’s collection, other than works published before 1899, may be taken out on loan. Books and other material not held in the Library can be borrowed from other libraries. Library staff will compile reading lists and bibliographies from online and printed sources for any subject on request. CDs and DVDs from the BBC of recent news broadcasts and current affairs documentaries can usually be obtained. DVDs from commercial outlets such as Channel Four can be obtained, subject to the willingness of the production company, occasionally on payment of a fee. The Library provides Members and staff with direct access to a rich collection of electronic databases, via the Library intranet, including databases of newspapers and other press material. Staff use these to carry out specific searches requested by Members and to locate information needed to respond to Members’ enquiries.

Members who have non urgent enquiries can email the Library. The address is hllibrary@parliament.uk

Lords Library Notes, summarising developments and listing references in respect of topics of particular relevance to the House, are published from time to time and are made available to Members in print and electronically, and to the public through the parliamentary website.

Telephone extensions
The Librarian (tel: 020 7219 3357/3240) is always pleased to discuss with Members any matter relating to the Library and its services. Members wishing to make enquiries by telephone should contact the following extensions as appropriate:
Book loans 5242
Reference enquiries 5433/5242
Research enquiries 6185
Tours and briefings 3240/2885