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Who can use the Library

Staff and students from other universities

You will be unable to access the libraries during our revision and exam weeks in January and May/June.

If you work or study at another university, you may be able to use or borrow items from the Library through the SCONUL Access scheme.

If your university is not a member, you can still use the Library under certain conditions.

You won’t be able to access the Library during revision weeks and exam periods in January and May/June.

Apply for SCONUL Access

First, find out if your university is a member of SCONUL Access and get authorisation from your own university library by applying on the SCONUL Access website.

You can register online with us before visiting, or in person. On your first visit please go to any Library reception desk during core hours and bring your University ID and Sconul authorisation.

Membership does not include access to the computing facilities. A small number of Library computers are available for visitors, which offer access to the internet and restricted access to Library electronic resources.

What you can do through SCONUL Access

Full-time undergraduates can use Leeds University Library for reference only.

You are entitled to borrow up to 10 items through SCONUL Access if you are a:

  • member of academic staff
  • postgraduate researcher or taught student (either full- or part-time)
  • part-time undergraduate student
  • distance-learning student
  • placement student.

If your university is not a member of SCONUL Access

If your university is not a member of SCONUL Access, you can still use our libraries under certain conditions.

Staff and researchers from institutions that are members of RLUK can use the library free of charge for reference only. You can register online with us before visiting or in person. On your first visit please go to any Library reception desk during core hours and bring your University ID/library membership card.

Other staff and researchers are normally allowed one-day access without prior application upon production of their university ID. A twelve-month membership that allows you to borrow up to 10 items costs £200.

Undergraduates may use the Library for reference purposes during University of Leeds vacations only. Overseas students may be granted reference-only access for up to four months. There is no access to the Library during May and June. You can register online before visiting, or in person. On your first visit please go to any Library reception desk during core hours and bring some photo ID and proof of your student status.