Other libraries
If an item you need is not held in Birkbeck Library, you may still be able to access it by visiting another library via the SCONUL Access scheme or University of London Access scheme or requesting it via our Interlibrary loan service.
Browse other libraries and archives
You can find out more below about how to access other libraries. It's important to check membership arrangements and instructions before you visit other libraries, as you may need to take additional documents (e.g. Birkbeck ID cards do not have an expiry date, so you may need documents to prove your end-of-course date).
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Online access to material
- In the first instance, it's always worth checking to see if the item you need is freely available on the internet via the Open Access Button.
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Searching other library collections online
- You can use the following websites to check library collections across the UK:
- Archives Hub: to search archive and manuscript collections in UK higher education institutions
- Journals and other periodicals search: to check the journal holdings of nearly 178 institutions, using the Advanced Search of Library Hub Discover, select document type: 'Journals & other Periodicals'
- Library Hub Discover: to search the combined catalogues of the UK's major research libraries previously known as COPAC and 178 academic institutions.
- MASC25: to check special collections in London
- You can use the following websites to check library collections across the UK:
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SCONUL Access Scheme
- The SCONUL access scheme covers most of the university libraries in the UK and Ireland. At this time, not all universities are participating, so check before you visit! We strongly advise you to join this scheme.
- Eligibility:
- full-time undergraduate students: you can join SCONUL for reference-only access.
- part-time undergraduate students, full-time taught postgraduate students, research students and staff: you can join SCONUL to borrow from other libraries in the scheme.
- short course and certificate of higher education students: if you are studying 60 credits or more per year, you can join SCONUL.
- visiting members of Birkbeck Library, including third-party users, are not eligible to join SCONUL via Birkbeck.
- How to apply: you need to apply online (please read our application guidelines).
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Senate House Library, University of London
- Senate House Library, right next door to Birkbeck in Bloomsbury, is the central library of the University of London, with an extensive collection of items and special archives.
- Accessing Senate House Library: all Birkbeck staff and the students, can use Senate House Library for free, to borrow books and access their online resources. Join Senate House Library, you can either go in person with your Birkbeck card or register online.
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Other University of London Libraries in Bloomsbury
- Consult your academic subject resources guide to identify which libraries are most relevant to your studies.
- The University of London Access Agreement allows Birkbeck students to access other University of London libraries for reference and allows Birkbeck research students and academic staff to borrow from some institutions. (Please note: Senate House Library is excluded from this agreement.) Students may need to take a Certificate of Enrolment/confirmation of enrolment, which you can print from your My Birkbeck profile, in the 'My Studies and Timetable' section.
- Other University of London libraries include:
- Institute of Education (IoE) Library
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Library: national collection for social sciences.
- School of Advanced Study (SAS) the SAS comprises:
- Institute of Advanced Legal Studies
- Institute of Classical Studies
- Institute of Commonwealth Studies
- Institute of Germanic Studies
- Institute of Historical Research
- Institute for the Study of the Americas
- Warburg Institute.
- Each institute has different access arrangements, so please check online before you visit.
- School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Library: you need to join the SCONUL Access Scheme before visiting SOAS Library. If you are not eligible to join SCONUL, you will need to complete a Confirmation of Status form and take it to Birkbeck Library for authorisation.
- University College London (UCL) Library: Birkbeck undergraduate and postgraduate students can register to use UCL Library between 9.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 5pm on Friday. Please get your Programme Enrolment Certificate printed before visiting. Academic staff and MPhil/PhD students are advised to join the SCONUL Access Scheme before visiting UCL Library.
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Other libraries and archives in London
- Check each library website for information on accessing collections.
- British Library
- Imperial College
- London Library
- London Metropolitan Archives
- National Archives at Kew
- National Art Library at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
- Royal Geographic Society
- University of Westminster
- Wellcome Library
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Libraries and archives in the UK
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International libraries
- Biblioteca Nacional (National Library of Spain)
- Bibliothèque Nationale de France (National Library of France)
- Deutsche Bibliothek (National Library of Germany)
- The European Library offers access to the combined digital and hard-copy resources - books, magazines, and journals - of the 43 national libraries of Europe.
- Library of Congress (US)
- Libraries.org via Library Technology a directory of libraries throughout the world