SCONUL Access - Visiting Other Academic Libraries

Durham University Staff and Students

Members of Durham University are normally allowed access to academic libraries across the UK and Ireland as part of an access agreement called SCONUL Access.  This means you could use a local academic library in your home town for study during the vacation, or, if you are on a distance-learning course, borrow from a local library rather having to make a trip to Durham, for example.

Which libraries can I use?

You can access over 180 other university and higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland.

Use the SCONUL Access website to find institutions near you that allow access and please follow our procedures below on how to apply for access.

Before visiting another library, make sure you take any required documentation or identification with you. In all cases, you will need to take with you at least your SCONUL Access card (for those who joined the scheme by issue of a SCONUL Access card) or the email verification sent to you when you applied via the SCONUL Access website, as well as your Durham University Campus Card.

What can I do?

All University members are allowed reference access to participating libraries.  Borrowing from them depends on your status - whether you are an undergraduate, a member of staff, a taught postgraduate, and so on.  Here is a summary of what is generally allowed:

How to apply for access

• To be eligible to apply, you must be "in good standing" with Durham University Library, which means you will have no overdue loans or unpaid fines.  Please ensure that all overdue books are returned and all fines paid prior to making your application to join.
• For the online application process, you will need to provide details of your Durham University email address as well as the Library barcode which appears on your Durham University Campus Card; this is a 14-digit number, beginning "20104". 
• Apply online via the SCONUL Access website.
• Once your application has been accepted, print out the email verification document you will receive.
• You will need to register at each library you want to visit.  It is best to check what the requirements are at the library in question before your first visit, as some libraries will require a passport photo, for example.
• At the least, you will need to take with you to the appropriate library the relevant email verification document (or your SCONUL Access card for those who joined the scheme by issue of a SCONUL Access card), as well as your Durham University Campus Card, which carries your Library barcode.

There are a number of other schemes in operation which you may be eligible for; please check below:

Undergraduates

• County Durham & Tees Valley Health Libraries Alliance (Phase 1 medical students)

Research Postgraduates

• RLUK (Research Libraries UK)

Academic Staff

• RLUK (Research Libraries UK)
• Durham and Teesside Health Libraries Alliance

General (applies to all library users)

• British Library reader pass
• Inspire - for users who wish to gain access to specific collections held in libraries in the North East which do not fall into the above categories.