• SCONUL access is a co-operative scheme that support learning, teaching and research.  It provides access and borrowing to more than 130 higher education libraries and other institutions and their collections in Ireland and UK.

Who is eligible to apply?

  • Full or part-time academic staff and research postgraduates. Full-time postgraduates on taught programmes.
  • Part-time and distance learning students on courses running for a minimum of one academic year.  Full-time students on placement for six or more weeks if they are on courses running for a minimum of one academic year.
  • Full details and how to apply for SCONUL
  • Once your application is approved, you will receive an approval email with further details on how to take part in the scheme. Bring this email and your valid home institution ID card to the library you wish to visit. They may issue you with a library card for future visits. Please note: once your application has been approved, you can use any of the listed libraries. You need not reapply for each library.
  • Please refer any queries to libinfo@ul.ie

Library Link: CONUL Access Scheme  (the new name for ALCID) is a co-operative access scheme agreed between Irish academic libraries. UL library is a member of the Library Link scheme. The scheme allows access to the collections of participating libraries on production of a Library Link membership card.

  • If you need to visit other libraries not included in the above schemes, you will need a letter of introduction.
  • A letter of introduction usually only provides access for one day or short-term access, and must specify the reason for the visit. Ongoing access is rarely permitted.
  • A letter of introduction does not guarantee that you will be granted access to the stated library. It is provided on a goodwill basis. Some libraries may refuse access at busy or exam periods, or for other reasons e.g. space restrictions, seat shortages etc.
  • Please contact libinfo@ul.ie to request a letter of introduction

If you live at a distance from UL or other university libraries, remember to check out your local public library for easy access to a place to study and borrow popular reading materials when off-campus

The Inter-Library Loans (ILL) service can assist you in obtaining material that is not held directly in the library. This service is aimed at academic staff, postgraduate students and final year undergraduate students.