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Ipswich Library User Guide: Visiting our Library

Visiting our Library and Associate Membership

 

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: 

  •  General access to desktop IT facilities, e.g. Microsoft Word and Internet
  •  Full walk-in user access to our licenced e-Resources for personal research use

If you wish to visit, please contact the library, one 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 one 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:

  • Unlimited access to the library during opening hours
  • up to four standard loans at any one time
  • access to our e-resources via our Walk-in User policy and guest IT access
  • unlimited reference access
  • facilitated interlibrary service via the British Library (additional charges apply)

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.

 

Access the Alumni application form

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:

  • an electronic copy of your SCONUL acceptance email 
  • a scanned copy of your institutional ID card 
  • an electronic passport style photograph 

Access the SCONUL application form

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, along with a one-time admin fee of £25 for the first year.

Your membership will entitle you to:

  • Unlimited access to the library during opening hours
  • borrow up to 4 standard loans at any one time, 
  • unlimited reference access,
  • facilitated interlibrary loan service, via the British Library (additional charges apply) and 
  • access to our e-resources through the walk-in policy and guest access to IT

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.

 

Access the Public application form

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:

  • Unlimited access to the library during opening hours
  • up to 4 standard loans at any one time,
  • access to our e-resources, via our walk in policy and guest IT access,
  • unlimited reference access.

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. 

 

Access the Partner College Staff application form

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:

  • Unlimited access to the library during opening hours
  • up to 4 standard loans at any one time,
  • access to our e-resources, via our walk in user policy and guest IT access
  • unlimited reference access
  • facilitated interlibrary loans service (additional charges apply)

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. 

 

Access the Retired Staff application form

Organisations and Corporate Gropus

Organisations, and corporate groups may also join the library for an annual fee per individual of £20. 

Your membership entitles you to:

  • Unlimited access to the library during opening hours
  • up to 4 standard loans at any one time,
  • access to our e-resources via our walk in user policy, and guest IT access*
  • unlimited reference access,
  • facilitated interlibrary service via the British Library (additional charges apply)*

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.

 

Access the Public application form

Student Union Staff

We are happy to offer free borrowing accounts to staff of the Student Union.

Your membership will entitle you to:

  • Unlimited access to the library during opening hours.
  • Up to 4 standard loans at any one time.
  • Access to our e-resources, via our walk in policy and guest IT access.
  • Unlimited reference access.

As these accounts are not set up automatically you will need to ask for membership. We will require your full name, P-number (this can be found on your ID card), and length of contract in order to create the account.

Please come to the library helpdesk during office hours and it can be processed on the day, otherwise please email the Library Helpdesk with the required information from your SU staff account.