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Using Other Libraries

As a researcher or student at Cardiff University you may be entitled to access library services at other higher education (HE) institutions under one of the following schemes:

Academic staff, research staff and research students

  • SCONUL Access (Band A) -  you can borrow from the print collections of participating UK or Irish higher education institutions
  • UWIC - reciprocal borrowing scheme for students and staff

Undergraduate students

  • CROESO - scheme which entitles you to visit and consult the collections of other higher education libraries in Wales throughout the year
  • SCONUL Vacation Access Scheme - you can access the libraries of participating UK or Irish higher education institutions during vacations
  • UWIC - reciprocal borrowing scheme for students and staff

Taught postgraduate students

  • SCONUL Access (Band C) - enables registered taught postgraduate students to borrow material from participating UK or Irish higher education institutions
  • CROESO - scheme which entitles you to visit and consult the collections of other higher education libraries in Wales throughout the year

Part-time, distance learning and placement students

  • SCONUL Access (Band B) - enables registered part-time, distance learning, and placement students to borrow material from participating UK or Irish higher education institutions

 

SCONUL Access

SCONUL Access is a reciprocal access scheme and grants borrowing privileges under different bands. 

Band A

SCONUL Access Band A membership enables academic and research staff and research students to borrow material from other SCONUL member libraries.

Band B

Band B enables registered part-time, distance learning, and placement students to borrow material from other SCONUL member libraries.

Part-time, distance learning students and full-time students on a placement of six weeks or more can apply to join SCONUL Access to borrow material from participating libraries, and use any other participating libraries for reference only.

Full-time undergraduates can apply to join SCONUL Access to use participating libraries on a reference only basis.

Band C

Band C enables taught postgraduate students to borrow material from other SCONUL member libraries. Please enquire at your home library for further information.

How to join SCONUL Access scheme

Complete the application form which can be obtained from your library or from the SCONUL web site. Take it to your library at Cardiff University. If eligible, you will be given a SCONUL Access card. When you visit another institution you will need to take your Cardiff University identity card and your SCONUL Access Card.

Check the opening hours of the institution you intend to visit and find out in advance what you will be entitled to access. Contact details for participating institutions as well as further information is provided on the SCONUL web site .

Use of IT facilities is not normally included as part of SCONUL Access.

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CROESO

This scheme entitles undergraduate and taught postgraduate students registered on higher education courses in Wales to gain access to the libraries of other higher education institutions in Wales. 

This scheme does not entitle you to borrow from the host library or use electronic resources. Before visiting, check the opening hours of the library you intend to visit. Please remember to take your Cardiff University identity card with you. 

For further information, please visit the CROESO web site.

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SCONUL Vacation Access Scheme

As an undergraduate or taught postgraduate you may access other UK and Irish higher education libraries which are members of the Standing Conference of National and University Libraries (SCONUL) during vacations using the SCONUL Vacation Access Scheme.

Before visiting, check the library opening hours at the institution you intend to visit.

Please remember to take your Cardiff University identity card when you visit.

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UWIC

There is a reciprocal arrangement between the University Library Service of Cardiff University and the library service of UWIC to share certain facilities and services for their respective user communities. (Notwithstanding any other arrangements extant under the CROESO or SCONUL schemes.)  

The two services undertake to extend to each others’ students and staff the library privileges listed below, subject to the conditions set out below.

At the UWIC library service

Conditions of access to the service

Cardiff University students will be individually authorised by a letter of recommendation from the University Library Service of Cardiff University and will present to UWIC Library staff that letter and evidence of their identity. 

Cardiff University staff will present to UWIC Library staff evidence of their identity and Cardiff University status.

They will then need to complete a Request to Join UWIC Libraries form.

Entitlements

Cardiff University students will on registering with the UWIC Library Service and agreeing to comply with the library regulations in force,  be able to: 

  • make reference use of printed library material;
  • borrow up to two items of long-term loan stock at a time; 
  • receive simple enquiry and orientation assistance from library staff; 
  • make use of the library catalogue;
  • use the self-service photocopiers.

Cardiff University staff will on registering with the UWIC Library Service and agreeing to comply with the library regulations in force,  be able to: 

  • make reference use of printed library material;
  • borrow up to five items of long-term loan stock at a time; 
  • receive simple enquiry and orientation assistance from library staff; 
  • make use of the library catalogue;
  • use the self-service photocopiers.