SHARES
University of Edinburgh Library is a participant in the SHARES program, which began as a collaborative effort of the Research Libraries Group (RLG) over 20 years ago. One benefit of the program is that it gives students and staff of participating institutions on-site access to collections and services at the other SHARES institutions.
No 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 suspended 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. We apologise for any inconvenience.
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
UK participating institutions
SCONUL Access is now the main reciprocal access scheme for SHARES institutions in the UK. Staff and students from participating SHARES institutions in the UK should use the SCONUL Access scheme for access to University of Edinburgh Library instead.
All others
| Membership | Notes |
|---|---|
| Reference (consultation only) | Free. Membership lasts for 1 year. |
What do I need to bring?
Please bring the appropriate ID as outlined below. You will be unable to register unless you have all the requested documentation.
UK participating institutions
Please see information about required documentation and ID on joining the library via the SCONUL Access scheme:
All others
| Membership | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Reference (consultation only) | Current institutional ID card AND proof of address. |
* If your institutional ID card does not include a photograph you must also provide photographic ID. Proof of address must be dated within the last 3 months.
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 library card can be used in the Main Library and all site libraries. Access to departmental libraries or class libraries is not available.
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.
All users requiring a new or replacement card should email library.account@ed.ac.uk, to receive further information before visiting.
WiFi Access
The University of Edinburgh is a member of the JANET Roaming Service, normally known as eduroam. Eduroam allows university staff and students of participating institutions to login at other eduroam participating institutions.
You must speak to your home institution's IT support before visiting University of Edinburgh, as you may have to register or set up the service at your home institution before being able to use it elsewhere.
Visitors to University of Edinburgh who are experiencing technical problems with eduroam should consult their home institution's IT support.
JANET roaming service (eduroam)
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.