There are a variety of ways that you can gain access to resources not currently held in Royal Holloway Library’s collections.
First, we recommend that you check the collection at Senate House Library. All Royal Holloway students and staff can register online for a free Senate House Library membership. You can access most of their online content remotely. If you are still unable to access the resource then we recommend using the Inter-Library Loan service. Alternatively, the SCONUL access scheme allows you free access to another UK University library. The Accessible Copies service is for requesting a copy of a resource in a specific format to meet an accessibility requirement. More information on each of these options, and more, is available below.
All Royal Holloway students and staff can sign up online for a free Senate House Library membership. The membership is free. Please note, there are a small number of databses and eresources which can only be accessed on site at Senate House Library. For the latest updates on their services visit the Senate House Library website.
Please note that all memberships are for 12 months. You can renew your membership within 14 days of the expiry date.
Register online for Senate House Library membership. Please ensure you use the registration form for Royal Holloway.
Useful links:
Returning Senate House Library books on campus:
There is a drop box on campus at the Depository (see the campus map) where Royal Holloway staff and students can return books borrowed from Senate House Library. The drop box is located in the fence by the green gates at the entrance to the Depository site. Please note:
- The box is open 24/7
- Fines money cannot be taken at the Depository, nor can fines disputes be dealt with there.
The Inter-Library Loan service allows you to access items from other libraries. This service is free for Royal Holloway students and staff. Please make sure you carefully read the instructions on how to place an inter-library loan request.
SCONUL Access is a scheme which allows many university library users to use study spaces or books and journals at other libraries which belong to the scheme. Some library users may be able to borrow print books from other libraries too. You can use Library Hub Discover to check the collections of other libraries before you visit.
How to join
- To join SCONUL Access and find out which libraries you can use, please visit their website. All information about applying for the Access Scheme is available on the SCONUL website.
- You apply using your Student ID number and full Royal Holloway email address (the one including your full name).
Using the SCONUL scheme
- Please do not visit an institution until your application has been approved.
- If you have previously used the SCONUL scheme then please check the expiration date, you may need to reapply.
- Participating institutes may change so be aware that prior access does not guarantee access in the future.
- Due to a high volume of applications it may take up to 4 weeks to process an application.
- Please check the SCONUL website to find out what rules apply at the library you wish to visit. Different libraries have different borrowing and access rules.
- Once approval has been granted it is recommended that you contact the library ahead of your planned visit to confirm they can provide access as opening times and rules may change at short notice.
- Please remember access granted under the Scheme is a privilege and not a right.
The Accessible Copies service is for requesting a copy of a resource in a specific format to meet an accessibility requirement. Any student or staff member at Royal Holloway who has a relevant additional need is entitled to use the service. Service users do not need to have registered their disability with the University or with the Disability and Neurodiversity team. However, those who are registered will usually have use of the Accessible Copies service as part of their disability adjustment plan. For details of the scheme and to place an accessible copies request visit the Accessible Copies service website.
Open Access is when academic resources are published and made freely available online. You can find some Open Access collections listed on our Library Resources A-Z, and some Open Access resources will appear Library Search. You can also try the Directory of Open Access Journals and Google Scholar to discover more.
Other libraries, institutions and archives hold specialist collections you may be able to access to support your research. You will need to contact these directly to arrange access. If you need any help with this then you can contact your subject’s Teaching and Engagement Librarian.