Public membership

Apply for library membership online

Services for public members

• Borrowing

  The type of membership you have will determine your borrowing rights. We have borrowing and reference only memberships on offer - please review our membership options below. Users will be able to borrow books and documents, request Sussex theses and apply for paid interlibrary requests. Public members are not be able to borrow DVDs or chromebooks. 

• Printing and IT

  Unfortunately because of the system in place at the University, PC, photocopying and printing facilities can only be used by current Sussex staff and students with a Sussex ID.

  You can make use of our free Wifi or access limited online resources from our two dedicated visitor PCs.

  If you wish to scan items you can do this directly on your mobile phone. The University Educational Enhancement Team recommend the Camscanner app.

• Wifi

  Library visitors can get free Wi-fi access on campus via 02. You can find out how to connect here.

• Online resources - Library access only

  All public members can use many of the Library's online resources as part of a scheme to improve access. This service can only be accessed from within the library using dedicated visitor PCs.

  What resources can be used?

  We allow access wherever licensing agreements permit. See our list of Online Resources available for visitor access for more detail.

  How do I use this service?

  1. Before visiting the Library, check that the electronic resource you wish to use is available within this scheme.
  2. Ask at the Service Desk about using our 'visitor access' service and complete a short declaration form - make sure you have your Library Membership card with you.
  3. A member of staff will accompany you to one of the visitor access PCs and log you in. 
  4. You can send information/items to your own web-based email account. To email files to your own account, first save them to the Drive: C:\walkin-temp\ directory on the PC.
  5. Please let staff at the Service Desk know when you are leaving so that we can sign you out.
• Online resources - Open access

  We have many open access resources that are freely available online, from anywhere, without needing to become a member or visit our building. 

• Refreshments

  The Library Cafe serves drinks and food 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday during term time. Vending machines are also available nearby. We have a hot water tap and microwaves for you to use and extensive seating area where you can consume refreshments that you have brought with you. Drinks and cold food are allowed into the Library, but we kindly ask that hot food is not taken past the entry barriers into the Library itself. Please refer to the Library regulations for more information.

  You can find other places to purchase food and drink by visiting our Where to eat pages.

• Collecting a Library Card

  Once we receive your online application we will create a Library card for you which can be collected from the Library Service Desk during staffed hours. Library cards can take up to 3 working days to process so please wait until you receive an email stating that your card is ready to collect before making your journey. 

 Joining the Library

You are welcome to apply for free reference only or Schools & Colleges membership in person at the Library Service Desk.

Apply for library membership

Membership Types	Who is it for?	Loan allowance	Charge
External Borrowing	Members of the public who wish to borrow books from the Library.	10 books and 4 documents
External Reference	Members of the public who wish to access the building and physical collections, but do not want to borrow items.	No borrowing	Free
Reciprocal Membership		5 books and 4 documents / reference only (dependant on your SCONUL band)
Schools & Colleges	Individuals currently in school or attending an FE institution. You will need to show your college ID card when collecting. See our Schools & Colleges Guide.	No borrowing	Free

• Membership for partner institutions

  There are several options, depending on how you are studying.

  Students on franchised courses

  If you are a student on a franchised course you will be registered with the University and will have full access to University resources.

  Students on validated programmes

  If you are a student on a validated programme, you can apply for External Reference or External Borrowing membership through the online shop.

  Staff and tutors teaching on validated programmes

  If you are a member of staff or a tutor teaching on a validated programme you are able to apply for free associate membership, entitling you to borrow up to 5 books and 4 documents at any one time.

• Visiting faculty based at Sussex

  Visitors to the University who have been formally invited by Human Resources are entitled to use Library facilities once they have collected their University identification card from the Print Unit.

  Visitors to the University who have not been formally invited by Human Resources are classified as unofficial visitors. You can apply for external membership, please see the Membership options for visitors tab above for more information. Charges for borrowing should be paid on application or can be charged to the unit issuing the invitation by prior arrangement.  

  E library.membership@sussex.ac.uk to find out more.

• SCONUL - Access for members of other UK universities

  If you are a part-time or placement student, online distance learner, full-time student or an academic at another UK Higher Education institution you may be eligible to join the University of Sussex Library under the SCONUL Access scheme. Please see the SCONUL website or ask for further information at your home institution.

  Once you have been approved for the SCONUL Access Scheme you can apply online for Reciprocal Library Membership through our online shop and send us confirmation of your SCONUL approval via email: library.membership@sussex.ac.uk 

• Students attending Access courses in Sussex and Surrey colleges

  Students attending Access courses in Sussex and Surrey colleges may be entitled to join the University of Sussex Library under our reciprocal arrangement. Please contact us for further information.

• School and college group visits

  The Library welcomes organised visits from groups of students at local schools and colleges wishing to use the Library and its resources for study purposes. We can provide your students with the opportunity to find out more about a university library and the chance to experience university life. We offer tours of the Library and interactive workshops for your students to gain a greater understanding of the skills needed for study at university level.

  Library tours

  An organised tour of the Library for groups of students takes a maximum of 30 minutes and concentrates on the Library building, its range of spaces and how to use an academic library. Supervised students are welcome to stay in the Library and study, but will only have access to material on the open shelves and the public access library catalogue terminals. We prefer to have a maximum of 10 students on a tour.

  Library skills workshop

  We offer workshops which can last for up to an hour. These include quizzes, search skills exercises, interactive presentations and a display of library materials. Our workshops aim to:

  • raise awareness of the types and range of materials found in an academic library
  • improve search and evaluation skills
  • discuss the issues surrounding plagiarism and referencing.

  If you have groups of students doing the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), these workshops will give your students the opportunity to develop their skills and encourage further research.

  Arranging a visit

  Please note that we cannot offer visits during our peak times or during exam periods. For further information and to arrange your visit, please email library@sussex.ac.uk.

Visiting the Library

• Accessibility
  • There are steps at the main entrance to the Library, which may be unsuitable for some users. A step-free entrance is located at the north end of the building - follow the signs to IDS. 
  • The lift located at the rear of the building can be used to access all floors except the basement. 
  • There is also a lift providing access to the North Basement. 
  • The Library Service Desk has been fitted with desk top hearing induction loop and is accessible by wheelchair users. There are wheelchair accessible toilets on each floor.
  • Information on support for Library services 
  • Information on any building works that may affect accessibility on campus.

  

• Finding library material

  You can use Library Search to locate resources. Select a resource to check the availability and location of library stock. There are dedicated terminals to search for resources on the ground floor opposite the Library Service Desk.

  If you have borrowing rights, you will be able to borrow items using the self-service machines or directly at the Library Service Desk. 

• Library Service Desk

  

  The Service Desk is located inside the Library, to the left of the entry and exit barriers. The Service Desk operates during staffed hours and staff at the desk will be happy to help, should you require any assistance.

  Come to the desk with any general enquiry, or to collect new Library cards, interlibrary loans theses.

  Self issue machines are located opposite the Service Desk for book and document borrowing.