Information Services

School Students and Staff

University of Edinburgh Library can provide reference facilities to final-year school students in connection with specific project work. Teaching staff and school librarians are welcome to register as external users, or as University of Edinburgh graduate members, as appropriate.

Restricted access to the Main Library and the Law Library for Reference users during exam period 

 

From Monday 8th April - Thursday 16th May 2024 inclusive, access to the Main Library and the Law Library will be restricted for Reference users. This also includes those with SCONUL Reference Only cards. This is due to the revision and exam period at University of Edinburgh and consequent high demand on study spaces. 

Heritage Collections users are not affected by this.   

Normal access arrangements will resume on Friday 17th May 2024. 

If you feel an exception should be made in your case, please email library.account@ed.ac.uk stating the reasons for an exception to be made: 

Library Membership

University of Edinburgh Libraries are fully open to all categories of external membership.

If you wish to join or renew your existing membership, please  e-mail us at  library.account@ed.ac.uk (Please state you wish to join/renew and include in your email your name,  category of visitor and existing card reference number starting ‘200..’ if applicable). 

We will reply to you with important information for access within a maximum of 7 days. Please wait for our reply before visiting our libraries.*

*We may not be able to process your membership if you do not follow these steps.*

 

 

 

 

Membership

Final-year school students undertaking projects in connection with Advanced Higher, GCE A Level and Scholarship Level studies can register as reference users.

Membership Notes
Reference (consultation only) Free. Membership will normally expire on 30th June.
External borrower - teaching staff A fee applies. Membership lasts for 3, 6 or 12 months.

What do I need to bring?

Membership Documentation
Reference (consultation only) Photographic ID plus proof of address* or Edinburgh Libraries Passport (ELP)-(ELP scheme is CURRENTLY CLOSED. We will honour existing valid ELPs.)
External borrower - teaching staff Photographic ID plus proof of address*

*Proof of address must be dated within the last 3 months.

Edinburgh Libraries Passport (ELP)- CURRENTLY CLOSED TO NEW APPLICATIONS.

Students whose school participates in the Edinburgh Libraries Passport scheme (ELP) should approach their school librarian in the first instance to get an ELP card. This card should be stamped with the school stamp and taken to any University of Edinburgh Library site when joining. We will consider applications from school librarians  by email when the ELP scheme is closed and proof of address is not possible. Individual students should email library.account@ed.ac.uk before visiting. 

Group visits

Please email the IS Helpline to request admission to University of Edinburgh Libraries. The application should list the names of the students and the subject/s they are studying.

Lothians Equal Access Programme for Schools (LEAPS):

Special arrangements are made for students in schools taking part in the LEAPS scheme, especially those attending the Summer School.

What does my card entitle me to?

Details of what your card entitles you to at the University Library can be found on the following page.

Your card can be used in the Main Library and all site libraries. Access to departmental or class libraries is not available.

Some site libraries may have special arrangements in place for school students. Please contact the library site before visiting.

Replacement cards (lost, stolen or expired)

If your reference card or external borrower's card is lost, stolen or damaged you can get it replaced with an online payment of £10. Please email library.account@ed.ac.uk for more details.

If your card expires you must apply for a new one. Please email library.account@ed.ac.uk and we will send you all the relevant information for a replacement. All required documentation must be provided. 

 

Privacy Notice for Library Self-Registration

This privacy notice explains what personal information the University holds about those joining as library members. It explains why we hold this information, what we do with it, how long we keep it for and if we share it with third parties.

Privacy Notice for Library Self-Registration