Celebrating 200 Years of UCL: A look into the collection of the Language and Speech Science Library

“On the Shelf: 200 years of building UCL’s library collections” is the 2026 Main Library Exhibition. It focuses on eight different collections across UCL’s libraries. In this post, Breege Whiten and Esther Cable write about the Language and Speech Science Library’s test collection.

As part of the UCL Library Services bicentenary exhibition “On the Shelf”, the Language and Speech Science Library is proud to showcase a selection of speech and language therapy (SLT) assessment tools from our unique collection which reflect the history of the profession, and the library’s part in supporting it.

Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) focuses on diagnosing and treating communication disorders. It began to take shape as a recognised profession in the UK in the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that standardised assessments became widely available.

These tools allow therapists to reliably identify communication difficulties and track progress over time. Among the earliest were the Renfrew Language Scales and the Reynell Developmental Language Scales, both first published in 1969. These assessments, designed for young children, remain in use today in updated forms, as shown in our display.

The Language and Speech Science (LaSS) Library has collected assessment tests in support of trainee and practicing therapists since its establishment as the library of the National Hospital College of Speech Sciences in the 1970s. The library continued to expand its collection of these important resources as it became part of UCL in 1995 when the college merged into the Department of Human Communication Science.

Also featured in the exhibition is the E2L Toy Test, developed in 1991 by UCL’s Merle Mahon in collaboration with colleagues from Great Ormond Street Hospital. This test was a pioneering response to the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate tools for children whose first language is not English. It highlights the profession’s commitment to equity and inclusion – principles that continue to guide research and practice today.

Since 1985, the LaSS Library has been based in Chandler House, a former 19th-century hospital building originally built for the Royal Free. Following a major refurbishment completed in 2008, the library was transformed into a modern, purpose-built space with a dedicated area for what is now one of UCL’s flagship collections.

As well as students, the library supports members of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and welcomes enquiries from researchers across the world with a need to consult the many unique SLT materials held in the collection.

Follow the links to find out more about UCL 200, the exhibition at UCL’s Main library, and The Language and Speech Science Library.