February 2021
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic we have suspended all forms of membership to our library. Below are the membership types that are currently suspended. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.
Walk in User Access
University of Suffolk Ipswich Library offers two levels of free access to visitors and external borrowers. Access is provided on the basis of occasional and reasonable access. This is defined as access up to one day, and is not usually given on a daily basis.
The types of access we offer are:
If you wish to visit, please contact the library, 1 working day in advance, for visits on weekends or Mondays you will need to contact us by Friday morning.
Access will be approved on a case-by-case basis. Once you have confirmation that your access has been granted, please go to the Waterfront Reception to collect your visitor pass.
Accessing e-Resources
University of Suffolk e-Resources are generally available for personal research. Access is made available in line with publisher licensing and authorised use for 'walk-in users'.
Access will only be available within the Library, is only for 1 working day, and only accessible once the Walk in user agreement has been completed and signed.
A username and password will be available from the Library helpdesk once the form is completed.
Please note, we can only provide usernames and passwords for IT use during our core opening hours.
Alumni Membership
University of Suffolk Alumni are able to continue to access library services after graduation. There is an annual fee of £15 that entitles you to:
To apply for membership, please complete our online external borrowers application form found below.
Please note: an up to date electronic passport style photograph is required to be attached to the form before you are able to submit the form for approval.
SCONUL and Other Universities
University of Suffolk Library is a member of the SCONUL access Scheme.The scheme covers most of the university libraries in the UK and Ireland, and you can select the institution you wish to visit during your application.
If your home institution is a member of this scheme you are eligible to join University of Suffolk Library free of charge.
Applications are made online, and approved by your home institution. You will receive an email confirming the level of access you are granted under the scheme. To find out more about SCONUL banding and borrowing rights take a look at the SCONUL guidance here.
To visit University of Suffolk Ipswich Library please complete our online application form found below.
Please note, to apply and submit the application form you will need:
Public Membership
Members of the public who are undertaking further study or personal research, and require access to our resources in our collections, but which are not available through the public library service, may join the library for an annual fee of £25. There is also a one-off registration fee of £25.
Your membership will entitle you to :
To apply for membership please complete our online external borrowers application form found below, with an attached letter outlining the reasons for your membership request and research area. Your application will then be assessed. We regret that we are unable to provide general access to our study spaces.
Please note: an up to date electronic passport style photograph and your justification letter is required to be attached to the form before you are able to submit the form for approval.
Partner College Staff
Staff working at any of the colleges partnered with University of Suffolk may also join our library. This includes staff at West Suffolk College, Suffolk New College, Lowestoft College and Great Yarmouth College. There is an annual fee of £20 which entitles you to:
To apply for membership, please complete our online external borrowers application form found below.
Please note: an up to date electronic passport style photograph is required to be attached to the form before you are able to submit the form for approval.
Retired Staff
Retired staff may also join the library. A fee may be charged, depending on the length of your employment at University of Suffolk; £15 if service is less than 5 years, free if over 5 years. This entitles you to:
To apply for membership, please complete our online external borrowers application form found below.
Please note: an up to date electronic passport style photograph is required to be attached to the form before you are able to submit the form for approval.
Organisations and Corporate Gropus
Organisations, and corporate groups may also join the library for an annual fee per individual of £25. There is also a one-off registration fee of £50.
Your membership entitles you to:
Please note: these services can only be used if the research is for personal use - and non commercial purposes. Commercial services are available through the British Library directly.
To apply for membership please complete our online external borrowers application form found below, with an attached letter outlining the reasons for your membership request and research area. Your application will then be assessed.
Please note: one form per member will need to be completed.
All images included in this guide are available through Creative Commons licensing CC-BY-2.0