Can I visit other university libraries?

There is a scheme which allows university library users to borrow or use books and journals at other university libraries which belong to the scheme. This scheme is called SCONUL Access. So, if you are studying at Derby but live elsewhere, you may want to visit other university libraries nearer to your home. 

How to apply

1) Click here to go to the SCONUL Access page.

2) Select what kind of student you are (full-time, part-time, undergraduate, postgraduate etc).

3) Select which university you are studying at (i.e. University of Derby). This will then show you a list of university libraries you are eligible to visit.

4) Select the one you want to go to.

5) Your application is sent to your home library (us!) to approve that you are a student in 'good standing', i.e. no large fines, long overdue books etc. If you have unresolved issues on your account, please make sure these are resolved before applying to avoid disappointment.

6) Once we have approved your application, you will receive a confirmation email.

7) Take that email and your Derby student ID to the university library you wish to visit.

Please note: Every library has their own rules for what they will allow you to access and borrow. Some also restrict visits from SCONUL members at certain times of the year, like busy exam periods, so it is always worth checking with the library you want to visit. Contact details for all member libraries are available from the SCONUL website.

What if I want to visit more than one university library?

Even though you have to choose a specific university library when you apply, once you have been confirmed you don't need to reapply again if you want to go to a different library - just take the same confirmation email and Derby student ID when you visit.

What if the university library I want to visit isn't available through SCONUL?

Some libraries may allow visitor access outside of the SCONUL scheme. If the library you want to visit is not available through SCONUL Access, it may be worth contacting them to ask if they allow visitors. You will usually require some form of photo ID for visitor access.