All registered staff and students of the University of Aberdeen are entitled to free membership of the University Library. Details of borrowing entitlements are available.
Students are automatically made members when they register with the university.
Staff should bring their ID card to the library and registration can be done on the spot. You may then borrow immediately.
Honorary staff are also entitled to library membership. Please bring your Honorary staff ID card to any service point (in the Sir Duncan Rice Library please come to the Information Centre on Floor 1) where we will ask you to complete a membership form and process your library membership. Queries to Circulation Services Manager.
Retired staff should consult Human Resources to determine their eligibility for Library membership.
Temporary Services Staff, who are not issued with an ID card but who have a contract with a University department, should go through your department to obtain a completed membership proposal form and the appropriate fee before bringing these together with suitable photo ID to the library, where you can complete an individual membership form.
Your ID card is also your Library card.
Academic and research staff and postgraduate research students from other UK Higher Education Institutions
Please see information about the SCONUL Access scheme. Details of borrowing entitlements are available.
Undergraduate students from other institutions
You are welcome to use the facilities and consult printed material at any time. You cannot normally borrow material. You can register to use the Walk-In Users Service and gain access to a restricted number of our databases. Access is from dedicated PCs on Floor 1 and Floor 2 in the Sir Duncan Rice Library.
If you wish to use the Sir Duncan Rice Library for the purposes of using the printed collections or the Walk-In Users Service, you must provide proof of identity, including address, before an access pass is issued. Taylor Library also requires proof of identity to issue an access pass.
Some categories of part-time and distance learning and placement students may be entitled to borrow as members of Sconul Access. Details of borrowing entitlements are available.
NHS staff may join the University Library. Please see separate page for more information. Details of borrowing entitlements are available.
Members of the public - Individuals
Individuals, other than registered staff and students of the University of Aberdeen, have free access to the Library for personal reference and research. If you wish to use the Sir Duncan Rice Library or Taylor Library you must provide proof of identity, including address, before an access pass is issued.
If you wish to borrow from the Library stock, you may do so through your local public library or by paying to become an external user. Please provide written identification, including name and address, when taking out external membership. Details of borrowing entitlements are available.
Please note: external users, whether borrowers or not, have NO free access to the Inter-Library Loan service. Members of the public can register to use our Walk-In Users Service and gain access to a restricted number of our databases. Access is from dedicated PCs in the Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Members of the public - Corporate
Please contact Linda McIntyre at the Sir Duncan Rice Library on 01224 273824
3 Month Membership
£15 Subscription + £30 Deposit = £45
The deposit is returned when all books have been returned, provided there are no outstanding fines etc.
This membership can not be renewed after the 3 months are up. If you wish to continue as a member, an annual membership must be taken out.
Annual Membership
Aberdeen graduates: £20 subscription plus £30 deposit = £50.00
Others: £40 subscription plus £30 deposit = £70.00
The deposit is returned when all books have been returned, provided there are no outstanding fines etc.
Friends of the Library
Individual External users who join the Friends of Aberdeen University Library can also join the Library. The same conditions apply as to 3 month and annual memberships. The library borrowing membership costs detailed below are in addition to Friends' subscriptions.
Aberdeen graduates: Annual fee of £15 plus £30 deposit = £45.00
Others: Annual fee of £25 plus £30 deposit = £55.00
All Life Members of Friends: Free borrowing
