Visit

Keep your belongings safe!: How to take care of your personal belongings in the Library.

Existing members

University of Warwick staff and students

You automatically become a member of the Library when you start your course or your appointment
Your University ID card is also your Library card. You will need this to get into the Library and to borrow items. To avoid creating delays at the entrance gates please have your card ready to scan on the card readers

Lost University ID cards

Use the online form to report a lost or stolen card or report to staff at University House reception desk during normal office hours. For more information visit Lost cards.

Important information: Until you report your card as lost, the card will remain valid and so you are liable for e.g. any access to buildings, any books borrowed from the Library using the card.

Children or dependents in the Library

There may be an occasional need for children (under the age of 18) to accompany academic staff or students when they visit the Library. The Library cannot, however, assume responsibility for the safety of children. We require that customers closely supervise their children all times, as the Library is an adult environment and it is not an appropriate venue for young children for a prolonged period. Library staff may have to ask customers to leave if they feel that their children are disturbing other customers or are not adequately supervised.

Computers in the Library are provided for the use of students and staff, with a valid customer name and password and should not be used by children.

External visitors

All external visitors

Library visitor access is limited to the Main Library, no access to other Library sites (on or off campus) is included. The Librarian or approved representative reserve the right to refuse access to any external customer
Access to resources: most materials are readily accessible within the Library. Certain materials, such as some University of Warwick PhD theses, Special Collections and Store items are closed access. To arrange, in advance, to view these items, please contact library@warwick.ac.uk or telephone 024 7652 2026
Plan your visit: in term time the Library is very busy particularly between 11:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, and as study spaces are limited, if possible please visit outside of these times
All Library visitors are required to comply with the Library rules and regulations
All external visitors can apply for an external borrowers' membership

Prospective University of Warwick students

Prospective students may join the Library as external borrowers before their course begins.
Prospective postgraduate students can apply for membership from 1st July each year and prospective undergraduate students from 1st September
An external borrower may borrow up to 5 items at any one time
The card will be valid from the date of issue until the end of the first week of the Autumn term when a student card should have been issued
Reference-only Membership is permitted if you wish to use the Library before the set date.
You may apply for membership providing you show photographic proof of your identity and a letter confirming your offer of a place on a University of Warwick Postgraduate or Undergraduate course. An application form will need to be completed for the registration to be processed
Access to e-resources, where licences permit, is provided on the single computer reserved for this purpose on Floor 1 of the University Library, to registered customers visiting the University Library in person

Warwick Alumni members

If you are a Warwick Graduate you can become a member of the Alumni Association and apply for a smart card to use the Library as an external borrower
As an external borrower you may borrow up to 5 items at any one time, although items from our Short Loan Collection are not available for borrowing by Warwick Graduates' Association members
Access to electronic resources, where licences permit, is provided on the single computer reserved for this purpose to registered customers visiting the Library and is located on Floor 1
To access your Library Account online you should log in as a visitor

Staff and students from other universities

Warwick University is a member of the SCONUL Access scheme which allows customers from other universities and colleges to access the Library. Please contact your own institution for details of how to register
Staff members and postgraduates from other universities and colleges who participate in the SCONUL Access Scheme will be able to borrow 5 books for two weeks, while undergraduates will be able to use the library for reference
To join the Library as a SCONUL member, you will need to bring a print of your SCONUL approval email along with your Library card or photo ID card from your home institution. You will need to visit during Main Library Helpdesk opening hours (Monday-Sunday 08:30-21:30). To check if the Main Library is open before your visit, please see our opening hours
Requests for borrowing or copying of material held by the University of Warwick Library can be initiated via your own library. Further details

Retired staff

If retired staff wish to access the Library they should join the Retired Staff Association by submitting an application form. If they wish to access the Library, retired staff should request a University of Warwick retired staff card from central HR. The card will enable retired staff to enter the Library and to borrow books.

Access to e-resources, where licences permit, is provided on the single computer reserved for this purpose on Floor 1 of the University Library, to registered customers visiting the University Library in person. The e-resources are to view only. Please ask at the Floor 1 Helpdesk for login details. Please note that External Borrowers are unable to access the full range of electronic resources due to licensing restrictions.

Constitution of the Retired Staff Association. See also Constitution of the Retired Staff Association.

Members of the public

Members of the public aged 18 and above may have access to the Library to consult our collections for reference use only. A day visitor pass gives reference access to the Library for the day of issue and are issued during staffed service hours only. You will need photographic proof of your identity to obtain a day visitor pass.

A Library reference card can also be issued for up to a period of 12 months by providing photographic proof of identity. You will need to see Library staff at the floor 1 helpdesk during staffed service hours only.

School and FE college visitors

Sixth Form students can request individual access to the Library providing they have a personalised, individual letter of introduction printed on school headed paper with an original signature from an appropriate representative of the sixth form (photocopies are not acceptable). Students will also need to and show photographic proof of their identity.

Reference Cards are currently only issued Monday - Thursday 08:30 - 17:30; Friday 08:30 - 16:30.

*photographic ID may include, but is not limited to: passport; driving license; identity card; school or college identity card; bus pass showing name and photo; Citizen Card; work ID badge