Short-term membership

Individuals can use the Library for reference purposes by purchasing a day membership. There is also the option to purchase a 7 day carnet, which allows the user to make 7 visits over the following 12 months.

Photographic identification and proof of address are all that is required to take up these options. Please click here for more information about ID requirements.

Please note that all paid memberships are non-refundable.

University of London students and staff

Current students and staff (including Emeritus Professors) at one of the following Colleges and Institutions are eligible to use Senate House Library free of charge on production of a current institutional ID card. Click here for information on borrowing allowances.

To pre-register online please click here .

University of London Distance Learning students unable to attend the library in person can register by contacting the Membership Team at shl.membership@london.ac.uk.

† Students and staff of Birkbeck College should check the Birkbeck Library website for access arrangements and documentation required to register.

* Students and staff of the LSHTM should check the LSHTM library website for access arrangements and documentation required to register.

University of London alumni

Retired academic staff and individuals who graduated with a University of London degree are eligible to join Senate House Library at the rates below (all inclusive of VAT). All memberships include an 8 book borrowing allowance unless stated otherwise.

Alumni Plus

Senate House Library is pleased to announce the introduction of Alumni Plus, a membership which gives off-site access to a range of major E-Resources. For a detailed list click here.

Alumni Plus members - access your E-Resources here

Alumni Membership

If you graduated within the last three years, a further option is available:

Proof of graduation, such as a certificate or transcript, is required as evidence of graduation. Please note that an expired College ID card is not sufficient. Retired academic staff should bring a letter from their former employer. In addition, photographic ID and proof of address are required. Please click here for more information about ID requirements.

To pre-register online please click here.

For offsite eResource access details click here.

Please note that all paid memberships are non-refundable.

University of London International Programme students

Students studying with the University of London International Programme are entitled to one free visit to view the collections held in Senate House Library. Students wishing to join the library, may do so at the following rates (inclusive of VAT).

Photographic identification and proof of address are required. Please click here for more information about ID requirements. In addition, we require proof of enrolment with the University of London International Programme (an official document stating student number, name of course, and year of study will suffice). Membership comes with standard 8 book borrowing unless stated.

To pre-register online please click here.

Please note that all paid memberships are non-refundable.

Members of Learned Societies

Members of the Learned Societies with whom Senate House Library has a special arrangement are eligible to join Senate House Library at the rates below. (all inclusive of VAT). Currently these Societies are the British Psychological Society and the Royal Institute of Philosophy. Membership comes with standard 8 book borrowing unless stated.

Evidence of current membership with one of the above Societies is required in order to join. In addition, photographic ID and proof of address are required. Please click here for more information about ID requirements.

To pre-register online please click here .

Please note that all paid memberships are non-refundable.

Students and staff at other UK universities

Current academic staff and postgraduate research students (eg: PhD, MPhil) at UK universities

For current academic staff and postgraduate research students (eg PhD, MPhil) at UK universities, in receipt of HEFCE funding, who have a valid SCONUL Access card (Band A)*

Photographic ID (such as a passport or driving licence) and proof of address (such as a recent utility bill or bank statement) are required, along with a current university ID card, and evidence of your status as an academic staff member or research student at your university. Your university ID card is usually sufficient. However, if this does not specifically indicate that you are academic staff or a research student, a letter from your academic department to this effect will suffice.

All other categories of student at UK universities

Students and staff at UK universities, in receipt of HEFCE funding, are eligible to join Senate House Library at the rates below (all inclusive of VAT). Membership comes with standard 8 book borrowing unless stated

Please note. The above charges apply for SCONUL Access Bands B* and C*.

Photographic ID and proof of address are required. Please click here for more information about ID requirements. A valid university ID card or a letter from your academic department is required as evidence of student status.

To pre-register online please click here.

* MA/MSC level students are SCONUL Band B. For a full explanation of SCONUL Access Bands, please click here.

Please note that all paid memberships are non-refundable.

Imperial College Students and Staff

Taught postgraduate students from Imperial College wishing to access Senate House Library are required to complete and submit an application form PRIOR to visiting Senate House Library.

All applications must be validated by a member of Imperial Library staff.

Membership will be offered by academic year. Please see the Imperial website for further information - click here

Please present the signed validation form at the Membership Desk along with your Imperial College card to obtain your membership.

PhD/MPhil Students and academic staff can join under our SCONUL Access and HEFCE schemes - click here

For information on getting to the library click here

To browse our collections click here

Students and staff from overseas universities

Students and staff from universities outside of the UK are eligible to join Senate House Library at the following rates (all inclusive of VAT). Membership comes with standard 8 book borrowing unless stated .

Academic staff and individuals studying for a research degree (eg PhD, MPhil) at overseas universities

Photographic ID (such as a passport or driving licence) and proof of address (such as a recent utility bill or bank statement) are required, along with a current university ID card, and evidence of your status as an academic staff member or research student at your university. Your university ID card is usually sufficient. However, if this does not specifically indicate that you are academic staff or a research student, a letter from your academic department to this effect will suffice.

All other categories of student at overseas universities

Photographic ID and proof of address are required. Please click here for more information about ID requirements. A valid university ID card or a letter from your academic department is required as evidence of student status.

To pre-register online please click here.

Please note that all paid memberships are non-refundable.

Institutional and corporate membership

We offer Institutional and Corporate membership tailor-made to your organisation’s needs.

Our most common package, Corporate Membership, consists of four borrowing cards (each with a borrowing allowance of 8 books) for £701.36 (inclusive of VAT). Only one package is permitted per organisation. Additionally, we can provide Institutional membership for organisations with greater numbers. Please contact the Membership Services Team for further details.

We also offer a popular membership package for Study Abroad Programmes.

Please contact us at shl.membership@london.ac.uk for more information and to discuss your organisation’s requirements.

Please note that all paid memberships are non-refundable.

Private researchers and members of the public

Private researchers and members of the public can join at the following rates (all inclusive of VAT). Membership comes with standard 8 book borrowing unless stated

Photographic identification and proof of address are all that is required to take up these options. Please click here for more information about ID requirements.

To Pre-register online please click here.

Please note that all paid memberships are non-refundable.

Friends of Senate House Library

Friends of Senate House Library are eligible to join at the rates below (all inclusive of VAT).

Photographic identification, and proof of address are required. Please click here for more information about ID requirements. Please note, membership of the Friends of Senate House Library is required prior to taking up this type of membership. For more information, and to join the Friends of Senate House Library, please click the following: http://www.shl.lon.ac.uk/friends

Please note that all paid memberships are non-refundable.

Archive and manuscript users

A free day ticket is available for researchers only using archives and manuscripts. This ticket is not valid for access to the rest of the Library nor any of the other collections or digital resources. It is available for people who are not able to use the library under any other existing access arrangement.

Access must be arranged at least one working day in advance with Special Collections. Appointments need to be made before 4pm on working days. Messages left after this time will be dealt with the following working day. Proof of address and photo ID must be shown on arrival at the Library.

Please apply in person to the Membership Desk, 4th floor, if you wish to join. Remember to bring the required documentation with you. Please click here for information about ID requirements.

See information about getting to the library

If you or your group require further information, please contact the membership team:

Or visit the Membership desk in person to discuss your options and to join Senate House Library.