Join our library

Current BCU students, staff and researchers

Enrolled students and staff with a permanent contract have automatic access to the library. Your ID card is also your library card.

Get started

External library membership

We offer a range of library membership schemes to enable those who are not currently members of the university to use our services. If you need advice on the best membership for you please contact us and we will be happy to advise you. Please note that we do not provide any walk-in access for non-members, or any membership outside of the categories below.

• Alumni
• SCONUL Access
• Royal College of Organists
• Fee Exempt Users
• Associate Staff

Alumni

As a graduate, you can register for free access to the physical library space for up to 24 months from the completion date of your course.

Membership details

• Borrow up to four items at any one time
• Study in the drop-in quiet zones in our libraries
• Connect to the 'BCU Open Wifi' on your own device
• View Open Access electronic resources (please note that this membership does not include the full range of electronic resources subscribed to by the library).

After the 24 month period has ended, there will be an annual £35 non-refundable charge payable online when you collect your library card. Example: if you graduated in July 2023, you will be eligible for free membership until July 2025. After July 2025, the annual fee will apply.

Apply for Alumni Library Membership

Alumni membership will provide you with access to any of our libraries, subject to the following:

• You'll need to provide proof of alumni status, name, current UK address (dated within three months of application), and a photograph.
• You'll need to bring your library card and proof of ID with you every time you want to access the library.
• A replacement charge of £10 is made for lost cards.

Applications will be processed within ten working days from receipt of your application form.

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SCONUL Access

The SCONUL Access scheme allows students and staff from participating universities to join our library. Services will vary depending on the band of membership which you are entitled to. More information about bands is available on the SCONUL website.

Membership details

• Borrow up to four items at any one time (Bands A, B, C only)
• Study in the drop-in quiet zones in our libraries (Bands A, B, C, R)

You can also connect to the ‘BCU Open Wifi’ on your own device. Electronic resource access via the library is limited, however you can search for Open Access resources via the Library Search on the homepage.

Before applying to Birmingham City University, you will need to become a member of the SCONUL Access scheme. Unfortunately we can't process any applications without this membership. Once you have received an email from SCONUL confirming your membership, please apply below. 

Apply for BCU SCONUL membership

SCONUL membership will provide you with access to any of our libraries, subject to the following:

• You'll need to provide proof of your SCONUL membership (e.g. acceptance email), name, current UK address (dated within three months of application), and a photograph.
• You'll need to bring your library card and proof of ID with you every time you want to access the library.
• A replacement charge of £10 is made for lost cards.

Applications will be processed within ten working days from receipt of your application form.

If you are a BCU student looking to visit other libraries, please apply via the SCONUL website.

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Royal College of Organists

Members of the Royal College of Organists are invited to join Birmingham City University libraries at no charge.

To join, please complete the application form below.

Apply for RCO membership

RCO membership will provide you with rights to borrow up to four physical items (e.g. sheet music). You can choose either postal loan membership or membership to visit us in-person. 

• You'll need to bring your BCU library card and proof of ID with you every time you want to access the library.
• A replacement charge of £10 is made for lost BCU Library cards.

You can connect to the ‘BCU Open Wifi’ on your own device. Electronic resource access via the library is limited, however you can search for Open Access resources via the Library Search on the homepage.

We also offer postal loan membership - please select this option when completing the application. We are able to post out up to four items from the RCO collection.

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Fee Exempt (retired staff etc.)

Some Individuals associated with the institution (including retired members of BCU staff, External Examiners, RBCA life members, and external mentors who are affiliated with Birmingham City University) can apply for fee-exempt membership.

Fee-exempt membership is at the discretion of Library & Learning Resources. If you would like to discuss whether you would be entitled to fee-exempt membership, please email us or phone us on 0121 331 5282.

Apply for fee exempt membership

Fee exempt membership will provide you with access to any of our libraries, subject to the following:

• You'll need to bring your library card and proof of ID with you every time you want to access the library.
• A replacement charge of £10 is made for lost cards.

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Associate Staff

If you have been issued an Associate staff card by the university, you will need to separately apply for library membership.

Ask your line manager or head of faculty for a letter (an electronic version is fine) confirming your position and employment dates at the university. We will need to know the end date of your contract to enable access to the library system. This can be extended if your contract continues.

Come to the library Help Desk during staffed hours with this letter and your Associate ID card, and we will arrange membership for you. The process takes around ten minutes.

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If you want permission to film or take photographs in one of our Libraries then please fill in the application form. Please take note of the terms and conditions outlined at the top of the form before you fill it in.