SCONUL Access
The SCONUL Access Scheme gives reciprocal access and borrowing rights for staff and students of over 170 member institutions in the UK and Ireland.
This page gives information about the SCONUL Access Scheme for members of the University of Reading. If you are from another institution and you wish to use our Library please see SCONUL Access: information for students and staff from other universities.
Can I use this scheme?
SCONUL Access provides borrowing for:
- Staff – on permanent or fixed term contracts
- Research Students – students registered for a PhD, MPhil or similar qualification awarded purely by research
- Part-time and distance learning students - on courses running for a minimum of one year and leading to a higher education award
- Placement Students - on placements of six weeks or more
- Full-time taught postgraduate students – at some member libraries only
Full-time undergraduates – are not offered borrowing privileges but are granted reference access to some of the participating member libraries. See our guide to Using other libraries for details of other schemes.
Academic Visitors and External Borrowers – are not entitled to any benefits from the scheme
Depending on your status you will be allocated a membership band:
| Your status | SCONUL Access Band |
| Staff | Band A |
| Research students | Band A |
| Part-time postgraduate | Band B |
| Part-time undergraduate | Band B |
| Distance learning | Band B |
| Placement | Band B |
| Full-time taught postgraduate | Band C |
| Full-time undergraduate | Reference |
Not all members of the scheme accept users from all user bands. To check whether your membership band is accepted by a library you are interested in joining please check the list of SCONUL Access participating libraries.
What can I get under this scheme?
You will be able to access and borrow from participating libraries if you are eligible to join - check the list of SCONUL Access participating libraries.
IT facilities and electronic library resources are not normally included in the scheme and there may be some limits imposed on the types of material that can be borrowed.
What do I need to use the scheme?
- You must be a current member of the University of Reading Library in one of the categories in the table above
- You must be in good standing with the Library ie have no debts or be barred
- You must complete a SCONUL Access application form
How do I join the scheme?
- Check that the library you wish to use is a participating member of the scheme - check the list of SCONUL Access participating libraries. Not all libraries are members of the scheme and not all members of the scheme accept users from all user bands. Each library participating in SCONUL Access chooses which types of users to accept under the scheme. To check whether your membership band is accepted by a library you are interested in joining please check the list of SCONUL Access participating libraries or consult Nick Hollis, Circulation Services Manager.
- Complete a SCONUL Access application form.
- Bring the completed form to the University of Reading Library or post it to the Circulation Service Manager - see Contacts & support for our postal address.
- You will receive a validated SCONUL Access membership card - this will be valid for up to three years, or until your course or contract ends, whichever is earlier.
How do I use the scheme?
- Take both the SCONUL Access card and your Campus/Access or Library card with you when registering at other participating libraries.
- Check the website of other participating libraries for opening hours and any local conditions eg times of registration or need to supply a passport-size photograph.
- The library will issue you with a library card
- There is no limit to the number of SCONUL Access libraries you can join.
- Membership lasts until the expiry date of your SCONUL Access card, either three years or the expiry date of your Library / Student Access card, whichever is the shorter.
- Abide by the rules of the library you wish to use. You will be responsible for any fines or replacement costs incurred.
Further information
- More information about the scheme and which libraries are members can be found on the SCONUL Access website
- For local guidance contact Nick Hollis, Circulation Services Manager