External users

Anyone can use study spaces and have reference access to the Library's physical collections at Royal Holloway for free.

Members of the library and members of the college can borrow from the library for free. Membership of the library is available to anyone for a fee.

College computers and laptops on loan are only available to members of the college.

Types of membership

Students and staff of other universities and partner organisations

SCONUL Access Scheme

Students and staff from participating institutions may apply for SCONUL access to Royal Holloway University Library. Undergraduate students are given reference only access. Postgraduate students and staff are granted borrowing access, with restrictions dependent on SCONUL band.

SCONUL participants do not have access to e-resources or laptops on loan, but they can use eduroam by signing in with their institution login.

You will need to apply for SCONUL membership through your home institution before applying for SCONUL membership at Royal Holloway. Please bring your SCONUL acceptance letter and ID card from your home institution with you when you apply at Royal Holloway.

University of London staff and research students

Staff and research students at University of London have borrowing rights at Royal Holloway University Library and may borrow up to 10 items at any one time from the 1 week and 3 week loan collection.

M25 Consortium staff

Staff that are part of an M25 Consortium Institution have access to the Royal Holloway University Library and may borrow up to 10 items at any one time from the 1 Week or 3 Week loan collection.

Find out if your institution is part of the M25 Consortium.

CABI staff

CABI staff are entitled to free borrowing privileges at Royal Holloway Library. If your application is approved, you may borrow up to 10 items at a time from the 1 week or 3 week collections.

Members of the public

External membership with borrowing access is open to all members of the public for a fee of £20 for 4 months and £55 for 12 months. Borrowing access allows loans of up to 10 books from the 1 week and 3 week collection. Applications for borrowing access for external memberships are subject to the librarian’s approval. On loan items are not available for you to borrow.

Alumni

Alumni membership is free and open to anyone who has graduated from Royal Holloway University or Bedford College, provided you have no outstanding fines or loans on your student account. Alumni membership allows loans of up to 10 books from the 1 week and 3 week collection. 24 hour loan items are not available for you to borrow.

Please bring your former College Card or degree certificate with you when you apply for membership.

How do I apply?

Come to the library in person with a passport-sized photograph, a completed application form and supporting documentation - details of which are on the application form. Members of the public will need proof of current address dated within the previous 3 months (in the form of a bill or bank statement) and photo id.

Library membership application form

Submit your application form in advance via email for quicker service.

All memberships are granted on a yearly basis. You will need to apply again to renew.