SCONUL – Accessing other libraries in the UK and Ireland

Accessing other libraries in the UK and Ireland.

SCONUL (Society of College, National and University Libraries) is the professional association for academic and research libraries in the UK and Ireland, providing leadership and support to their partner institutions through advocacy, policy development, sharing knowledge and good practice and direct services to members.

Members include national libraries, research-intensive institutions, higher education providers and other libraries which hold important national collections.

SCONUL represents members on strategic issues within the sector, promoting the importance of libraries in teaching and learning and in the research process.

The SCONUL Access Scheme covers most of the university libraries in the UK and Ireland. It allows university library users to access study spaces, books and journals at other libraries which are part of the scheme. The scheme allows staff, full-time postgraduate, part-time, distance and placement students to borrow material from other university libraries. Undergraduate full-time students can have access to other institutions for reference purposes only.

Join Sconul

To join the SCONUL Access scheme, please visit the SCONUL Access website for information and follow the simple application process.

You will need your Library or ID Card Number from your home institution and your institutional email address to complete your application. You will also need to indicate what type of library user you are (e.g. staff, full-time post-graduate, distance learner, etc.). If you do not have a physical student ID card with a photo, other forms of ID (including virtual IDs) are acceptable as long as they include a photo. Please check this list of acceptable ID.

To qualify for SCONUL access, you must be a registered library user and be in good standing with no debts/fines at your home institution or any serious violation of the rules.

Your application will be processed by your home institution’s library. Waiting times can vary, so you should contact your home institution for more information about processing applications. Once your application is processed, you will receive a confirmation email with further details on how to take part in the scheme.

Visiting Other Libraries

When you wish to visit another library, check the website for opening hours and any other local conditions. Take a copy of your confirmation email with you when you go to the library you want to visit, along with your ID card or library card from your home institution. This will allow other libraries to identify you as a genuine member of the scheme. Admission to other libraries will be at the discretion of the host institution.

When you arrive, you may be issued with a library card for that institution. This allows you to use and possibly borrow from the host institution until your SCONUL membership expires.

Full-time undergraduates may be issued with a reference card, allowing the user reference access to member libraries but no borrowing rights.

Host libraries may restrict the number and range of items that can be borrowed. The number of books you can borrow may be limited,and you may not be permitted to borrow items from specific collections (e.g. short loans or DVDs).

Please note that SCONUL Access does not provide automatic rights to computer facilities, including access to electronic journals and databases to which the host library subscribes. Some member institutions may provide limited electronic access.

You only need to apply for SCONUL access once. When you have received your confirmation email, you can use this to access different libraries. You do not need to reapply for each individual institution.

You can find out more about using other libraries on our Library intranet pages..

By Sharon McMichael

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