You can access other libraries locally and in the rest of the United Kingdom and Ireland for free using the SCONUL Access scheme.
This is a service supported by many higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland. When you have registered with the service, you can visit and, as a member of staff you will become a Band A SCONUL Access user, allowing you to borrow from other participating higher education libraries.
If you are encouraging your students to join the scheme, bear in mind that the level of access they can have to other libraries depends on their course, because SCONUL Access assigns types of courses into ‘bands’ which allow different levels of access. If you want to see the details of the SCONUL Access scheme as they apply to students visit our SCONUL Access for Students page, which is available in the navigation bar.
Some libraries may restrict or discontinue access from some or all SCONUL Access bands at their discretion. This is usually done during exam periods or other busy times in their academic year.
We strongly advise you to contact the library at the institution you want to visit using your SCONUL Access membership before you set off.
For more information, the SCONUL Access website has useful information about the scheme.
To join the scheme you need to:
pay any fines you have
return any overdue items to us
You will receive an email letting you know whether your application has been accepted or not.
If you plan to visit a library under the Sconul Access scheme, you should contact them first.
Last reviewed: 8 January 2024
