Due to renovations, the Special Collections Reading Room will be closed between 6 and 17 May. Only limited services will be available. For questions, please contact specialcollections@library.leidenuniv.nl.

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in International Studies

Our list of commonly used tools facilitate your work and research online.

Searching for relevant scholarly information can be a challenge. These tutorials can help you navigating the catalogue and other databases.

Digital Collections contains over 500,000 digitized primary sources, reference works and digital born materials held by Leiden University Libraries. In this repository you will find digital facsimiles of prints, drawings, photographs, maps and archival documents; digital facsimiles of manuscript books…

All our services for teaching staff

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in African Studies

Leiden University students, staff and (dual) PhDs can use the libraries' databases, e-books and e-journals both on-campus and off-campus.

During the year 2021 and 2022 Leiden University Libraries illuminated the rich past of its university and its students by organising the thematic programme "University and Student life". Several online exhibitions, boekensalons and public lectures were organised around this theme, especially for the…

The Western manuscript, archival and letter collections consist of books and documents written in Latin, Greek and Cyrillic script.

The collection of maps and atlases consists of approximately 100,000 map sheets (including c. 3,000 manuscript maps), 3,500 atlases and 25,000 topographical prints and drawings.

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for historical research

Publishing and sharing information has become more accessible. How can you judge whether or not a publication or an internet site is trustworthy? Here you will find some useful leads to help you judge information.

The UBL provides access to an endless collection printed and online journal articles

A personal library account and LU-Card is needed to enter the libraries and use on-site facilities.

Leiden’s University Library provides access to a large collection of digital (contemporary) and digitized (historical) newspapers. These newspapers can be found through the library’s catalogue and through the library’s databases. Furthermore, the Dutch National Library offers access to several international…

Would you like to have your monograph published Open Access? This is becoming ever so attractive. Authors and publishers are increasingly discovering that online publication stimulates higher sales numbers of paper books.

The Student Repository is part of Scholarly Publications Leiden University and offers an online archive that makes Bachelor and Master theses easily searchable and publicly available.

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Latin American Studies

Do you need help to find information or do you have a question about using the library?

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Linguistics

The photo collection of South and Southeast Asia contains material collected by the Kern Institute and the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV). In addition to photo prints in various techniques, the collection also includes (lantern) slides, picture postcards…

The South Asian and Tibetan special collections provide material pertaining to the languages, histories, philosophies, art and material cultures of the region. The focus lies on Sanskrit, Tibetan, Lepcha, and Buddhism, but the collections also hold rich visual material for educational and academic purposes…

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in French language and culture.

A collection consists of items and parts that have been collected by one or more individuals or institutions not responsible for their formation. An archive has been created by one or more individuals or institutions.

The Southeast Asian Special Collections contain text and audiovisual materials pertaining to the languages, histories, philosophies, religions, literatures, and (material) art of the region. The focus lies on the Malay world, in particular on the Nederlands-Indies/Indonesia. Apart from books and periodicals…

With its more than 1400 bindings and over a thousand fragments Leiden’s collection of medieval manuscripts (up to ca. 1550) is the largest in the Netherlands.

There are several excellent options for teachers and researchers to engage students and other audiences with primary sources. Either by requesting items from the Special Collections for use during lectures or by integrating our educational resources into your lesson plans.

Conditions are attached to the use of information sources (databases) provided by UBL.

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Psychology

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Public Administration

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Political Science

Leiden University teachers wishing to stream audiovisual materials during online classes, can book the University Library's media room (ground floor) for this purpose.

Open Access provides free online availability of academic output without restrictions. Open Access increases the visibility of research enormously.

Uniquely within the Netherlands, Leiden University Library also collects objects to document the technical development of photography. Hundreds of historical cameras are part of the colletion, as well as darkroom and finishing equipment (light meters, developing trays, color filters, drying racks, etcetera),…

Would you rather read your article on paper or do you need a scan of a book? Check how it's done.

Welcome to the Sub-guide for North Korea. This Sub-guide is designed for students looking to locate, access and use a wide variety of scholarly and non-scholarly sources which are either (1) published or produced in North Korea or (2) about North Korea. This Sub-guide is a part of the General Subject…

The Leiden University Libraries (UBL) catalogue contains millions of (e-)books, (e-)journals, manuscripts, letters, and other materials available at the UBL.

Overview of reference works, journals and website for research in Gender and Women’s studies of Japan

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in religious studies.

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Middle Eastern Studies

The archives created by Leiden University and the private archives of Leiden professors are an invaluable source for the history of the university and its functioning. The main sources have been edited (nearly always in Dutch). In addition, several studies have been published, describing the development…

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in English language and culture.

The Special Collections of Leiden University Libraries contain a world-renowned and vast collection of old prints, manuscripts, archives, prints, drawings and photography. Our collections are accessible to Leiden researchers and students, as well as external researchers and other interested parties.

A guide for finding Korean newspapers, magazines, live TV broadcasts and audiovisual materials.

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Education and Child Studies

Some books have particular features such as design, unique illustrations and descriptive annotations. These features can be of interest for specific research.