External Library memberships

Current S5 and S6 pupils at secondary schools in Tayside can apply for free external Library membership.  School pupils must have an active membership in place to be able to visit or use the Library.

You need approved Library membership before using the Library independently, including for study or reference.  Please ensure you have your letter of authorisation before you visit us.

To apply, visit the Support Enquiry Zone on Level One of the Library and bring:

• your Young Scot card or National Entitlement Card
• a recent, dated letter on school-headed paper confirming your full name, the name of your school and that you are currently in S5 or S6, authorised by your teacher or school librarian

Once your membership is approved, bring your Library card whenever you visit. You may be refused entry if you do not have it with you.

Membership is intended to support individual study and use of the Library's printed collections. External member borrowing of print items is restricted to items not in use on reading lists.

All pupils must follow the Bernard King Library Building Code of Conduct. Membership or access may be withdrawn if someone's behaviour disrupts other Library users or the Library's facilities are misused.

Access at busy times

Access for school pupils may be temporarily restricted during University examination and peak assessment periods, or at other particularly busy times. This is to ensure that study space remains available for Abertay students. Any temporary restrictions will be communicated by Library Services and through on-site notices where practicable.

Pupils below S5

Pupils below S5 cannot use the Library independently but may attend as part of an arranged and supervised school visit.

School staff

Staff of secondary schools in Tayside may also join the Library free of charge. Please bring your school staff ID or other evidence of employment.

We also welcome class and group visits to the Library during April to June and December.  Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate school visits during our peak term times.

Visits usually last around 1 to 1.5 hours and can include hands-on guidance from Library staff to support a class assignment or introduce transferable information skills, such as searching for information, evaluating information sources and identifying different types of information sources.

To discuss a school visit, contact library@abertay.ac.uk.

You do not need SCONUL approval or Abertay Library membership simply to study or consult printed books during weekday daytime public-access hours.

Borrowing rights depend on your SCONUL Access category. Some members can borrow eligible printed books; others have reference access only.

To join Abertay through SCONUL Access, apply through the SCONUL Access website. Once approved, bring your approval email and your current home university staff or student ID to the Support Enquiry Zone on Level One to complete your Abertay registration. Registration applies to reference-only members as well as borrowers.

Wi-Fi access is available through eduroam.

Abertay has reciprocal Library membership arrangements with:

• Dundee and Angus College
• Fife College
• UHI Perth
• SRUC Elmwood Campus

You do not need to join the Library simply to study or consult printed books during weekday daytime public-access hours.

If you would like to borrow eligible books, students and staff from these institutions can register for free external Library membership. Bring your current college staff or student ID to the Support Enquiry Zone on Level One to apply.

NHS Tayside staff can join the Library free of charge.

To apply, visit the Support Enquiry Zone on Level One of the Library and bring:

• your NHS staff ID; and
• an additional form of photographic identification, such as a driving licence or passport.

Please note that membership does not allow access to Abertay licensed online resources such as databases, e-Books and e-journals.

Borrowing is limited to items in our print collection not in use for teaching on reading lists.  Print items may be consulted within the building for reference purposes.

Retired Abertay staff can join the Library free of charge using a National Entitlement Card.

Please bring your National Entitlement Card to the Support Enquiry Zone on Level One of the Library.

Retired staff can borrow up to six books from the Library's eligible four-week-loan collection.  Membership does not permit access to Abertay online licensed resources such as databases, e-Books and e-Journals.

Members of the public may use the Library for reference and study during weekday daytime public-access hours without charge or membership.

School pupils need approved Library membership before visiting independently. See “School pupils and school staff” above for eligibility and application requirements.

You need external Library membership to borrow eligible printed books.

External members may borrow eligible items from the printed collection. Reading-list items, one-week-loan items and reference-only items cannot be borrowed by external members.

External membership, including paid membership, does not provide access to Abertay’s licensed electronic resources, including databases, e-journals and e-books.

If you have a National Entitlement Card

You can become an external Library member and borrow eligible items free of charge.

Please bring your National Entitlement Card to the Support Enquiry Zone on Level One of the Library.

If you do not have a National Entitlement Card

Subscription rates are:

• £12.50 for six months
• £25 for 12 months

Visit the Support Enquiry Zone on Level One of the Library and bring photographic identification and proof of your address, such as a driving licence, passport or utility bill.