Information for visitors

If your institution is a member of the SCONUL Access scheme you may be entitled to obtain a library card from us for either borrowing or reference access depending on your status. Please check with your home library in the first instance. Be aware you need to bring a passport sized photograph.

If your institution is not part of the SCONUL Access scheme:

Students at other HE institutions may still be eligible for a free vacation reference pass. This gives unlimited access to the libraries and resource centres during the University of Birmingham vacation periods only. Please bring your current University card with you on application.

For academic staff you may be entitled to a free reference only card. This card will be valid for 12 months and provides unlimited access to our libraries and resource centres. Current proof of your academic status from your home institution will be required on application and for subsequent renewals.

Additional information is available on the using other libraries section. 

Please note: Visitor access to the Main Library is restricted from Monday 27 April to Friday 5 June 2020 inclusive during the revision and exam period due to pressure on study spaces for our students.  During this period we are unable to admit day visitors or card holders of the following types:

• Blue library reference card holders
• SCONUL Access Band R blue library reference card holders

We are also unable to assist SCONUL Access members who wish to register for a library card. Normal service for these categories will resume on Saturday 6 June 2020.

Members of the public over the age of 18 are entitled to 10 visits in a twelve month period. Each time you visit you will be asked for current photographic identification such as a driving licence or a passport. Registration for day visitors is available between 08:00 and 21:00 (08:00-19:00 in the summer vacation). See our opening hours page for more information, including the opening hours of our site libraries. 

College and sixth form students may register as day visitors but need to bring a letter of introduction from their teacher or tutor, printed on school or college headed paper. Further details can be found on our FE support page.

Please note: Visitor access to the Main Library is restricted from Monday 27 April to Friday 5 June 2020 inclusive during the revision and exam period due to pressure on study spaces for our students. During this period we are unable to admit day visitors.

If you wish to use our libraries on a more regular basis you may apply for external membership. For further details please see our external membership information page. You can apply for membership using our online form (some applications are subject to approval). Membership fees for Alumni members are charged at a reduced rate. 

Please note: Visitor access to the Main Library is restricted from Monday 27 April to Friday 5 June 2020 inclusive during the revision and exam period due to pressure on study spaces for our students. During this period we are unable to admit day visitors.

Privacy policy

The data collected on these forms will be processed in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. Please contact Library Services if you have any queries or need to change or amend your details.

We no longer have a special arrangement with NHS Trusts and all applicants will need to apply for external membership. Please see 'Fee Paying Membership' above for further details.

NHS staff working at the Dental Hospital are automatically entitled to join the Dental Library free of charge (this category of membership does not include borrowing membership of any other University of Birmingham libraries).

Access to electronic resources is available to non-members of the university in an extremely limited form via FindIt@Bham's guest access facility. Guest access is the same whether you are based on campus or using FindIt@Bham from home.

For information, please see WiFi.

We offer photocopying facilities across our libraries, as well as free to use book scanners. 

Additional information on charges, reporting problems and disability support can be found on the printing, photocopying and scanning page.