SCONUL Access visitors

What is SCONUL Access?

SCONUL Access is a reciprocal scheme which allows university library users to borrow or use books and journals at other libraries which belong to the scheme. SCONUL covers most of the university libraries in the UK and Ireland.

You will need to apply for SCONUL via the SCONUL Access website. Your home library processes this; you will then receive a SCONUL email of authorisation putting you in band A, B, C or R. If you are not eligible for SCONUL access, you can instead use our Day Reader pass.

Reading and Reference access

SCONUL Access visitors (band R) reading and reference access allows you to: 

• Access the Arts and Social Sciences Library

• Read print books within the library and request print books from other libraries for consultation at the Arts and Social Sciences Library via our Book Retrieval Service 
• Use our free wifi on your own device and these freely available research resources. Unfortunately, you will not be able to use our PCs, printers or eResources. 

Register for borrowing

SCONUL Access visitors in bands A, B and C (except band R full-time undergraduates) can also apply for a borrowing card. This will allow you to: 

• Borrow up to 5 print books simultaneously  

• Access the Arts and Social Sciences Library and Wills Memorial Library 

• Read print books within the library and request print books from other libraries for consultation at the Arts and Social Sciences Library via our Book Retrieval Service 
• Use our free wifi on your own device and these freely available research resources. Unfortunately, you will not be able to use our PCs, printers or eResources. 

You can register for a borrowing card by emailing lib-access@bristol.ac.uk with:

• a copy of your SCONUL email of authorisation
• a completed SCONUL Borrower Card 2026 (Office document, 880kB) form
• a scan or digital photo of the front and back of your university/library ID card
• a recent, colour, ID photograph of yourself as jpeg attachment (to passport-standards, see Photo instructions (PDF, 288kB)).

Preparing for your visit  

How to check if the book you need is available and order books from other libraries.  

SCONUL Access is a joint agreement between most UK universities. It allows students and staff to use other academic libraries when they are travelling or away from their usual campus.

We allow all SCONUL Access users to access the Arts and Social Sciences Library during staffed hours without needing to apply. Arrive with a form of ID and we will let you in for a day's use.

If you have SCONUL Band A, B or C status, you will also gain access to the Wills Memorial Library and can borrow up to 5 books simultaneously.

Depending on your status, you may also to be able to access other libraries and borrow up to 5 books simultaneously from our collections.

To apply to the University of Bristol, you will need:

• Authorisation email from SCONUL (received after applying for SCONUL Access)
• Passport photo
• University card