The Research Reserve is located on the lower ground floor of the Main Library. It can be accessed via the lift/stairs beyond the main Help Desk on the ground floor. The items in the Research Reserve form a valuable part of our research collections. University of Birmingham academic staff and students can browse the collections in the Research Reserve.
The Allport Room is our reading room, where you can view or collect reference-only items such as theses from the Research Reserve.
Opening hours: Allport Room
The Allport Room is closed on Bank Holidays and University closed days.
Requesting
- University staff and students can request Research Reserve items, for a physical copy or digital scans, using FindIt@Bham.
- If you are a visitor, please contact us via email to request Research Reserve items. We will send you confirmation when the items have been retrieved for you to consult.
- If you are an external member with a library account, please request your Research Reserve items via FindIt@Bham. When signing in to FindIt@Bham, you should select the option for ‘External Borrowers’. If you have not already set up a password, please contact us via email.
- More information on requesting Research Reserve items.
Allport Room facilities
- Book scanner for scanning to USB and email.
- Microform scanner for saving to USB and network drive, and sending to email and print.
Please contact us to check availability if you are making a special journey to the library to use the microform scanner.
Browsing access
- This service is only available to University of Birmingham academic staff and students.
- You must have an induction tour before receiving browsing access to the Research Reserve. The tour will introduce you to the collection, and allows you to browse the Research Reserve safely on subsequent visits. Tours take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You must book at least 24 hours ahead. Book your tour online.
- After your induction, you can browse the Research Reserve during Allport Room opening hours (see above). You must report to the Allport Room before entering the Research Reserve.
- If none of the regular tour times are suitable for you, please contact us via email.
The door to the Allport Room.
The lift to the lower ground floor.