Joining the Library
All of our libraries are available not only to our staff and students but other members of the community can also join including SCONUL, schools students and teachers, NHS and more.
Members of staff who have a permanent or fixed term contract will be issued with a smartcard and are automatically eligible to join the library.
New members of staff can upload a photo to the University App to create their Digital University ID. Once the photograph is uploaded, new and replacement staff smartcards can be requested from the University Library for later collection by using the following form: https://bit.ly/NclStaffSmartcard
Registered students of Newcastle University are issued with their smartcard on registration and this is valid for the length of their course.
Several student registration events are held each year. Students can also obtain a smartcard in person from Student Services (King's Gate Level 2). For replacement student smartcards, please go to King’s Gate Student Services or use the following Student Smartcard Request form: https://bit.ly/NclStudentSmartcard
Guest and visiting members of staff may be eligible for borrowing or consultation facilities dependent upon the length of their visit.
Retired members of staff are eligible for borrowing facilities on verification of retired status.
Graduates of Newcastle University and King's College Durham may join the library for an annual fee of £20. This includes borrowing facilities in all three libraries, access to Special Collections and use of some databases.
If you don't require borrowing facilities we can issue you with a consultation smartcard.
Alumni membership smartcards are for access to the University library during core desk services opening hours, they do not open night doors on campus or give out of hours library access.
Alumni Library membership - application and renewal
Library Help: I am a graduate of Newcastle University - can I join the Library?
Consultation
Through a reciprocal agreement with Northumberland and Durham universities, staff and students can use Newcastle University Library for reference use only. You will need to bring your own university smartcard for all visits.
Outside of core desk services opening hours, and when the Library is self-service, access to the building is via a valid Newcastle University smartcard only.
Borrowing
If your home institution is a member of the SCONUL Access Scheme you can apply to join Newcastle University Library free of charge.
Borrowing
Newcastle University Library is a member of the SCONUL Access Scheme. SCONUL Access is a reciprocal scheme which allows many university library users to access other academic libraries in the UK and Ireland. If your home institution is a member of this scheme, you are eligible to join Newcastle University Library free of charge. Please see the SCONUL Access Scheme for more information on how to apply.
Library Help: Can I join Newcastle University library through the SCONUL Access Scheme?
Consultation
Reference access for staff and students from other UK and Irish institutions is through the SCONUL Access scheme. Please note that full time undergraduate students only qualify for reference access under the SCONUL Access Scheme. You will need to bring your SCONUL email and home university smartcard for all visits.
Students from international universities (excluding Ireland) please see occasional visitors section below.
Outside of core desk services opening hours, and when the library is self-service, access to the building is via a valid Newcastle University smartcard only.
The University has an agreement with the NHS to allow its staff who are employed within the North East and North Cumbria to become members of the Library. If you are a new member of NHS staff or your smartcard needs replacing or renewing you will need to apply via our online registration form.
Library Help: I am a member of NHS staff - how do I join the Library?
Sixth form access
The University Library offers reference facilities to sixth form schools and sixth form colleges in the North East of England. Students can access the library's wide range of information resources as well as use the library's study spaces. Access is available during Library Help Desk opening hours except for University exam and revision periods.
Sixth form access application form
Library Help: I am a local sixth form student, how can I use the Library?
Teachers and school librarians
Free borrowing facilities are available to teaching staff and librarians from local schools participating in the Education Outreach programme. Teachers whose schools and colleges are part of the Partners Scheme are entitled to borrowing rights free of charge.
Community affiliate smartcards are for access to the University library during core desk services opening hours, they do not open night doors on campus or give out of hours library access
Library Help: I am a teacher/librarian from a local school - can I join the Library?
Members of professional and learned institutions in the North East of England, which accredit courses at Newcastle University, may join the university library.
Smartcards are valid for 1 year, most professional memberships are entitled to borrowing facilities free of charge. However, renewals are not automatic and a new application must be made each year.
Community Affiliate and Consultation smartcards are for access to the University library during desk services opening hours, they do not open night doors on campus or give out of hours library access.
Library Help: I am a member of a professional institution, how can I access the Library?
The Library is happy to accept applications from individuals outside the University, for either borrowing or reference access. Those who require access must be able to demonstrate a particular need, and include reasons why they would like to use the Library's resources.
Please note that in accordance with publishers' licences, access to many electronic journals and databases is restricted to members with a Newcastle University login and password, and the Inter Library Loans service is not available to external members.
Individual application to join the Library
Consultation application to join the Library
Individual membership smartcards are for access to the University library during core desk services opening hours, they do not open night doors on campus or give out of hours library access
The primary role of Newcastle University Library is to support the teaching and learning of the University. However, occasional visitors are welcome to consult our collections if materials are not readily available elsewhere.
Unless your visit is part of an open day or open event, individual walk-in visitors' to the Philip Robinson or Walton Library must have pre-arranged a visitors pass by contacting us via Library Help or calling the Philip Robinson Library or Walton Library at least two days prior to your planned visit.
If you wish to use the University Library on more than one occasion, membership of the University Library will be required. Please see Individual membership section above.
Research Libraries UK is a consortium of 34 of the major research libraries in the UK and Ireland. As a member, Newcastle University is part of the RLUK Access Scheme and walk in access to our print resources is available to academic staff and researchers from other RLUK member institutions.
For a list of participating members, please visit: https://www.rluk.ac.uk/members. To gain access, show your home institution smartcard at the Philip Robinson Library Welcome Desk during core desk services opening hours. Lending is available through the SCONUL Access Scheme.
Newcastle University Library reserve the right to restrict access to Occasional and RLUK member visitors during busy exam periods so it is advisable to check ahead before your visit to Newcastle.