Information for visitors
All visitors are welcome to use our libraries during standard opening hours|. For those who wish to become external members of the library, there are a number of membership| options depending on status (including membership of SCONUL| access).
Owing to licence agreements visitors are not entitled to use our electronic resources, though they may of course use our library catalogue| to search for items in the libraries.
Reference use of Royal Holloway Library is free to members of the general public, visitors from other educational institutions and staff and students from other institutions of the University of London. Details of how to gain borrowing rights can be found at the bottom of this page under obtaining external membership|.
If you are only making occasional reference visits to the Library please ask to sign the visitors' book.
Computer facilities, including access to electronic information sources, are not available to visitors and external readers.
External members
Rules for external members
You should only use the Library for material which you cannot obtain in your home institution library.
An external reader borrowing card enables you to borrow up to ten books (from both normal and one week loan categories) from the open-access shelves. However, you cannot use the Restricted Loan Collection or borrow journals. You cannot reserve items on loan. You cannot request online searches or make use of the Inter-Library Loans Service. If you need detailed help from our staff or need to use our special collections or theses you should make your visit during normal office hours.
You will be expected to observe the Library Regulations|. Fines will be applied at the current rates for overdue items and recalled items not returned when requested. Failure to observe the Library Regulations will result in the right to use the Library being withdrawn.
Computer facilities, including access to electronic information sources, are not available to visitors and external readers.
However, free access to the College's wireless network is available to those UK academic users whose institutions offer the Janet Roaming service. Please check that your institution offers this service then follow the advice in the Janet Roaming user guide before you visit Royal Holloway.
Members of the public and students on taught courses
Borrowing membership (with limited borrowing rights) of Royal Holloway Library may be obtained by purchasing an external reader borrowing card which costs £55.00 per year (£20.00 for four months).
If you would like to obtain a card please go to the Library Enquiry Desk with proof of identity. You will be asked to complete an application form and to provide a passport-size photograph. It may not always be possible to approve and prepare a card immediately. If it is not possible the card should normally be ready within 24 hours.
Use of the Library will only be made available to persons under the age of 18 at the discretion of the Director of Library Services. If you are under 18 but wish to apply, please bring a letter from an appropriate person, such as the headteacher of your school if you are still at school, stating why you need the facilities of an academic library.
Royal Holloway Alumni
Ex-members of Royal Holloway can obtain alumni membership for three years, which allows users to borrow items free of charge.
If you would like to obtain a card please go to the Library Enquiry Desk with proof of identity and past membership of the College. You will be asked to complete an application form and to provide a passport-size photograph. It may not always be possible to approve and prepare a card immediately. If it is not possible the card should normally be ready within 24 hours.
SCONUL Access members and University of London staff and researchers
Borrowing membership ( with limited borrowing rights) of Royal Holloway Library is free to academic staff and research postgraduates of the University of London, or from other institutions with a valid SCONUL Access card.
If would like to obtain borrowing membership please go to the Library Help Desk to complete an application form for an external reader borrowing card. You will be asked to provide proof of identity and proof of your status at your home institution (your library card from your home institution may be sufficient). Also, you will be asked to provide a passport-size photograph. It may not always be possible to approve and prepare a card immediately. If it is not possible the card should normally be ready within 24 hours.
Members of the University of Surrey
Borrowing membership (with limited borrowing rights) of Royal Holloway Library is free to members of the University of Surrey.
If you would like to obtain borrowing membership please go to the Library Enquiry Desk to complete an application form for an external reader borrowing card. You will be asked to provide proof of identity and proof of your membership of University of Surrey (for example, you could use your the University of Surrey library card). Also, you will be asked to provide a passport-size photograph. It may not always be possible to approve and prepare a card immediately. If it is not possible the card should normally be ready within 24 hours.