How to find Senate House Library, public transport and accessibility information.
Page
Opening hours
Page contents
You are reading:
Daily opening hours for Senate House Library, the Special Collections reading room and any changes to our opening hours and closure dates.
Summer opening hours
From Monday 2 June to Sunday 21 September 2025. Please note that during self-service hours, some services are unavailable.
If you plan to visit BLOOM@Senate House, it has different opening times to the main Library.
| Day | Opening hours | Staffed hours | Self-service hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | 09:00 - 23:00 | 09:00 - 17:00 | 17:00 - 23:00 |
| Saturday | 09:45 - 21:00 | 09:45 - 17:00 | 17:00 - 21:00 |
| Sunday | 09:45 - 21:00 | Unstaffed | 09:45 - 21:00 |
Special Collections opening hours
Due to the specialist nature of the service provided, the Special Collections Reading Room operates reduced hours to the main Library:
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed |
Changes to opening hours and closure dates 2025
| Bank holidays | Opening hours |
| Saturday 23 to Monday 25 August | Closed |
Academic year 2025-2026
From Monday 22 September 2025.
| Day | Opening hours | Staffed hours | Self-service hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | 09:00 - 23:00 | 09:00 - 19:00 | 19:00 - 23:00 |
| Saturday | 09:45 - 21:00 | 09:45 - 17:00 | 17:00 - 21:00 |
| Sunday | 09:45 - 21:00 | Unstaffed | 09:45 - 21:00 |
Special Collections opening hours
Due to the specialist nature of the service provided, the Special Collections Reading Room operates reduced hours to the main Library:
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 16:00 (appointment only) |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Christmas and New Year | Opening hours | Staffed hours | Self-service hours |
| Monday 15 – Friday 19 December | 09:00 – 23:00 | 09:00-17:00 | 17:00 – 23:00 |
| Saturday 20 December | 09:45 – 21:00 | 09:00-17:00 | 17:00 – 21:00 |
| Sunday 21 December | 09:45 – 21:00 | 09:45 – 21:00 | 09:45 – 21:00 |
| Monday 22 December | 09:00 – 23:00 | 09:00-17:00 | 17:00 – 23:00 |
| Tuesday 23 December | 09:00 - 17:00 | 09:00-17:00 | No self-service |
| 24 December - 4 January | Closed
| ||
| Easter and bank holidays | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Thursday 2 April | 09:45 - 17:00 |
| Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April | Closed
|
| Tuesday 7 April | 09:45 - 17:00 |
| Monday 4 May | 09:45 - 17:00 |
| Monday 25 May | Closed
|
| Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August | Closed |
