Registration, Using the Library

Security

All passes must be shown to Security staff and bags left in the lockers before entering the Reading Room. The lockers are situated right outside the Reading Room. They require a £1.00 coin returnable deposit.

Bags

Small purses with personal belongings may be allowed in at the discretion of staff. All other bags and laptop cases (other than clear carrier bags) are not permitted.

• Personal belongings including laptops and other equipment are brought in at your own risk.

Food and drink

Food and drink are not permitted into the Reading Room. This includes water.

Mobile phones

Members and staff would appreciate it if mobile phones could be switched off, or at the very least be switched to silent during your visit. Please leave the Reading Room before answering a call.

Registration before use

On entering the Reading Room, please present your membership pass to staff at the Reading Room Counter and fill in a registration card.
This is an essential condition of using the library and is to ensure that we follow health and safety rules. It also allows us to monitor the number of spaces available in the Reading Room throughout the day.
There are 45 study places available in total, and a dedicated study area for consulting Special Collections materials.
Please collect your pass if you plan to leave the building, either for a break or for the day. Be aware that when busy we will only reserve reader spaces for up to an hour.

Care of the collections

Please take care when using materials from our collections and help us to preserve them for future generations. Many items are irreplaceable and once their physical form is damaged the information is lost forever.