For information on access and membership to our libraries and resource centres please click on the links below:
Students undertaking collaborative provision programmes
Visitors from other HE Institutions
Information for University of Birmingham Staff and Students
All currently registered staff and students have automatic access to the university libraries and resource centres, with your University ID card acting as your library card. For loan entitlements please click on the following link for borrowing books.
Visiting lecturers and associate staff 3
who wish to use electronic resources should fill out a form and submit it to their local requestor.
Access to other HEI libraries
University of Birmingham is part of the SCONUL Access scheme which allows students and staff to use other HEI libraries in the scheme. A full list of member libraries can be found by clicking on the link, to check your eligibility please take a look at the following guidelines.
For an application form please click on the link.
Information for Visitors
If your institution is a member of the SCONUL Access scheme you may be entitled to obtain a library card from us for either borrowing or reference access depending on your status. Please check with your home library in the first instance. Be aware you need to bring a passport sized photograph.
If your institution is not part of the SCONUL Access scheme:
Students at other HE institutions may still be eligible for a free vacation reference pass. This gives unlimited access to the libraries and resource centres during the University of Birmingham vacation periods only. Please bring your current University card with you on application.
For academic staff you may be entitled to a free reference only card, this card will be valid for 12 months and provides unlimited access to our libraries and resource centres. Current proof of your academic status from your home institution will be required on application and for subsequent renewals.
Members of the public are entitled to 10 visits in a twelve month period, each time you visit you will be asked for suitable current identification such as a driver's licence or a passport. Registration for day visitors is available between 9am and 9pm.
In some cases you may be referred to us by your public library under the Inspire Referral Scheme
Members of staff who had membership of the University libraries during their working life are entitled to continued membership after they retire. To set this up, you should bring in a valid ID card or proof of your retired status to one of our libraries. If you don't have your ID card, you will also need to bring a passport sized photo.
You will be registered as an external member of the Library. This means that your membership rights will be different from when you were a member of staff at the University. You will be entitled to borrow up to 6 books at a time. You will have access to those electronic resources where the licence agreement permits access to non-members of the University. Membership is renewable annually.
More information is available here.
If you wish to use our libraries on a more regular basis you may apply for external membership. For further information please click on the links for details of our current fees and for an Application for external membership form.
Please note that applications are subject to approval
We no longer have a special arrangement with NHS Trusts and all applicants will need to apply for external membership. Please see 'Fee Paying Membership' above for further details.
NHS staff working at the Dental Hospital are automatically entitled to join the Dental Library free of charge (this category of membership does not include borrowing membership of any other University of Birmingham libraries)
Access to electronic resources is available to non-members of the university in a strictly limited form via the UK Computing Plus Scheme. This facility is only available at the following libraries and resource centres: Main Library, Barnes Library, the European Resource Centre and the Orchard Learning Resource Centre
A list of resources available for UKCP can be found here.
Please apply at the Reception & Information Desk on the day of your visit for a username and password if you wish to use this facility. Please note that internet and printing facilities are not available to visitors.
Temporary accounts are available for visitors to access the University of Birmingham wireless network. Please note that requests for temporary accounts need to be made at the earliest opportunity, as they won't be available on the day of your visit. Further information on the University of Birmingham wireless network and how to gain a temporary account are available from the Computing Help Desk.
Photocopying facilities are available via an electronic card swipe system. The card costs £1.50 and can be purchased at most of the libraries and resource centres; it comes with 75p credit and can then be topped up as and when required.
Please note that the Shakespeare Institute Library is exceptional in this regard and to make use of photocopying and printing facilities you will need to purchase disposable photocopy cards from the service point.
