External users
Types of membership | How do I apply? | Behaviours
Not a member of Royal Holloway? Use of study spaces and reference access to the Library's collections at Royal Holloway are free for all members of the public, and does not require becoming a member of our library. However, borrowing rights are only offered to those who have membership.
Please note that borrowing rights does not cover access to college computers, laptop loans or our online collections.
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Students and staff of other universities | Members of the public |
Alumni | Interrupted students
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. Post-graduate students and staff are granted borrowing access, with restrictions dependent on SCONUL band.
SCONUL participants do not have access to e-resources or laptop loans, however 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.
Visit this page for more information.
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.
For more information on the University of London Libraries Access Agreement please visit this page.
University of Surrey full-time students
Full time students at the University of Surrey 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.
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 by visiting their page, here.
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.
External membership with borrowing access is open to all members of the public. There is 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. External members cannot request items on loan, or request items on loan. Applications for borrowing access for external memberships are subject to the librarian’s approval.
You will need proof of current address dated within the previous 3 months (in the form of a bill or bank statement) and photo id when you apply.
Alumni membership is free and open to all those who have graduated from Royal Holloway University within the last 3 years.
Alumni membership allows loans of up to 10 books from the 1 week and 3 week collection. You cannot request items on loan, but you are entitled to request Inter Library Loans from the college at a fee.
In order to be accepted an Alumni must have no outstanding fines or loans on their student account. Any outstanding loans or fines must be cleared before membership is granted. Please bring your former College Card with you when you apply for membership.
For interrupted or withdrawn students, library access is revoked. In exceptional circumstances a reduced library service can be offered, but this must be agreed with the Library Customer Services Team and the relevant Academic Department. If you would like to discuss library usage as an interrupted student, please contact the Library Customer Services Team.
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Applications for membership can be made in person at the library. You will need to bring a passport-sized photograph, a completed application form and supporting documentation according to membership type e.g. your ID card from your home institution. More details of the required supporting documentation is specified on the application form.
Library membership application form
Application forms can be submitted in advance via email at LibraryCustomerServices@rhul.ac.uk to allow us to process your application quicker.
Applications for membership will be completed within 24 hours, Monday-Friday. If you require immediate borrowing access, please contact Customer Services to arrange a time to visit. To avoid delays, please bring all required documentation.
All membership will be granted on a yearly basis; you will need to reapply for renewal.
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All members are expected to adhere to the library policies and code of conduct.
Any fines incurred will need to be paid promptly. Any user who reaches the fine limit of £35 will have their membership revoked until all outstanding fines are cleared, and all overdue books are returned. Membership will then be reconsidered but is at the discretion of the librarian.
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