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 may be able to borrow from other participating higher education libraries.
You need to be on a course which lasts for at least 1 year to apply.
The level of access you can have to other libraries depends on your course, because SCONUL Access put types of courses into ‘bands’ which allow different levels of access.
SCONUL Access - course, band and access
|
Type of course
|
SCONUL band |
Level of access |
|
Full-time undergraduates
|
Band R
|
Reference only
|
|
Part-time or
Distance learning or
Placement students (placements 6 weeks plus)
|
Band B
|
Borrowing
|
|
Full-time postgraduates
|
Band C
|
Borrowing
|
|
Postgraduate research students
|
Band A
|
Borrowing
|
Some libraries do not allow SCONUL Access visits:
If you plan to visit a library under the SCONUL Access scheme, you should contact them first.
To join visit our Join SCONUL Access page.
For more information, the SCONUL Access website has useful information about the scheme.
