Reference access to the Library is offered free of charge to anyone with a need to use an academic library.
Open hours for external users are 9am - 9pm Monday - Sunday. There may be periods when the library is closed to external users and non-members (e.g. during student assessment periods).
The Library is closed to non-members from Tuesday 22 April until Saturday 31 May 2025.
We are unable to process new applications for paid general public membership until 1 June 2025, due to the Library being at full capacity during our assessment period.
The Library Helpdesk is open 10am - 6pm Monday - Friday, 12pm - 6pm Saturday - Sunday.
All external users are required to follow Library Regulations.
Please note that printing and computer facilities, including access to electronic resources, are not available to external users. Power sockets for your own equipment, guest Wi-Fi and eduroam are available.
You can browse our collection on LibrarySearch.
Memberships are available as below for borrowing from our print collection.
Royal Holloway/University of London alumni are eligible to join Senate House Library which includes access to a range of e-resources.
For more information please contact library@rhul.ac.uk
External Memberships
Members of the public
Memberships are available for 4 months (£20) or 12 months (£55).
We are unable to process new applications for paid general public membership until 1 June 2025, due to the library being at full capacity during our assessment period.
Alumni
Royal Holloway alumni are entitled to external membership free of charge (renewable after 3 years). Proof of study at Royal Holloway will be required.
Students and staff from other institutions
SCONUL
Students and staff from participating institutions may apply for the SCONUL Access Scheme to use Royal Holloway University Library.
You will need to apply for SCONUL membership through your home institution on the SCONUL website before applying at Royal Holloway.
Band A, B and C users are entitled to borrowing access. Band R users are entitled to reference-only membership.
University of London Libraries Access Agreement
Students at University of London institutions that are not eligible for SCONUL Access may apply for reference-only membership of Royal Holloway Library through the University of London Libraries Access Agreement.
Access25
Postgraduate Research students and staff at participating M25 Consortium libraries which are not part of the SCONUL Access Scheme can join the library (with borrowing access) via the Access25 Scheme. You will need to apply for Access25 membership through your home institution before applying at Royal Holloway.
CABI
CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International) staff are entitled to external membership free of charge (renewable after 3 years). Proof of employment will be required.
Renewal (all memberships)
Please complete this form to renew your external membership.
