Set LD_LIBRARY_PATH before importing in python

Question

Python uses the PYTHONPATH environment-variable to determine in which folders it should look for modules. You can play around with it by modifying sys.pat

Answer 1

UPDATE: see the EDIT below.

I would use:

import os

os.environ['LD_LIBRARY_PATH'] = os.getcwd()  # or whatever path you want

This sets the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable for the duration/lifetime of the execution of the current process only.

EDIT: it looks like this needs to be set before starting Python: Changing LD_LIBRARY_PATH at runtime for ctypes

So I'd suggest going with a wrapper .sh (or .py if you insist) script. Also, as @chepner pointed out, you might want to consider installing your .so files in a standard location (within the virtualenv).

See also Setting LD_LIBRARY_PATH from inside Python