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Membership

It's easy for staff, students, alumni, and members of Birkbeck to join the Library, and we provide different levels of access for visitors from other universities and members of the public. 

Birkbeck staff, students, and alumni

Birkbeck staff and enrolled students can visit the Library, borrow materials, and access all digital resources. 

Alumni and other members of Birkbeck can visit the Library and may borrow materials, but have limited access to digital resources. 

Find out more about what materials you can access and how many items you can borrow.

Students 

  • Enrolled students: your Birkbeck ID card, which you can order once you are fully enrolled, gives you access to the Library to study, borrow and operate our printer copiers. 
    • If you are only provisionally enrolled and do not yet have a Birkbeck ID card, you can bring your offer letter/email on each visit to the Library. Alternatively, bring a form of photo ID for a one-day reference pass.
  • Break-in-studies/exams-only students: if you are enrolled, you will still have full Library access, if not please contact your programme administrator. 
  • Prospective MPhil/PhD researchers: if you need Library access to write your research proposal, your faculty/school can request a one-day, reference-only Library pass. You will need to bring your letter/email on each visit to the Library. 
  • Find out more about the number of items students can borrow. 

Student Assistants

  • Student Assistants who want to access the Library with the student they support should complete the online membership form for 'reference' only access.
  • As an additional ID you will need to upload the following:
    • an email sent by the Library disability and dyslexia service team confirming your expiry date, or a photo of your current staff card from the non-medical help institution you work for, e.g., ClearLinks, Randstad.
    • a small photograph for your library card.
  • When completing the membership form you do not need to specify the name of the student you are assisting. Enter your own address, phone number, and email. The expiry date will either be on the email sent by the Library disability and dyslexia service or 30 September and the current year.

Staff

  • Your Birkbeck ID card gives you access to the Library. 
    • If your Birkbeck ID card has no library barcode on it, complete the online application form and upload your contract or letter of employment, and a passport-sized photo. We will contact you when your membership card is ready. You will need to show ID to collect your card.
    • If you do not have a Birkbeck ID card, complete the online application form and upload your contract or letter of employment, and a passport-sized photo. We will contact you when your membership card is ready. You will need to show ID to collect your card.
  • Find out more about the number of items staff can borrow. 

Alumni

  • If you have an award from Birkbeck (certificate, diploma, degree), you can apply for Alumni Library access by logging into My Birkbeck, go to the section headed 'Library Services,' then click on the link for Alumni Library Access.
  • You should log in with your old student account (or use the password reset request if you can’t remember the details). If you can't remember your username and password please contact the Library User Support Team. 
  • If you graduated a long time ago and do not have a student record on My Birkbeck, please contact the Information Services User Services Team.
  • To renew your alumni membership, you should click on the ‘Extend access’ button which will be displayed on MyBirkbeck within 60 days of your card’s expiry date.
  • Please see the Alumni guide for how to make the most of alumni membership.
  • Find out more about what resources alumni can access. 

Governors, Fellows or life members of Birkbeck

visitors from other universities

We welcome staff, students, and visitors from other universities. You will find details about how to apply below. We process applications within 48 hours and will contact you when your membership card is ready. You will need to show your University ID to collect your card.


    Visitors from other higher education institutions 

    • SCONUL Access Scheme
    • UK publicly funded higher education institutions
      • Anyone studying or working at a UK higher education institution may apply for reference membership with Birkbeck Library. This includes students from University of London institutions.
      • You need to apply online by completing the online form and uploading a passport-sized photo and a scan of your home institution's ID card. The uploaded confirmation documents must be scanned in full.
    • Access 25 scheme
      • Access25 is the M25 Consortium’s scheme that allows mutual access to the teaching and research collections at more than 50 libraries in London and Southeast England.
      • You need to apply online by completing the online form and uploading a passport-sized photo and a scan of your Access 25 card. The uploaded confirmation documents must be scanned in full.
    • University of London Worldwide Programme
      • You cannot access Birkbeck Library as a University of London Worldwide student, but you can join Senate House Library.
      • You can use Birkbeck Library as a member of the public.

    Academic visitors and research students 

    Bespoke Membership packages For Educational Institutions

    • We can create bespoke membership packages for organisations that will usually include the use of most materials in the Library and may include borrowing by your members and staff. 
    • Costs: 
    • Reference only (per student, excluding VAT): 
      • four months - £40
      • six months - £55
      • nine months - £70
      • twelve months - £95.
    • Borrowing up to five items (per student, excluding VAT): 
      • four months - £75
      • six months - £95
      • nine months - £135
      • twelve months - £170. 
    • To arrange a Birkbeck Library membership package for your organisation, email our User Services Manager. 

    Members of the public

    We welcome members of the public who can access study spaces and use the Library’s printed materials for a fee. You will find details about how to apply for our public memberships below.


    Passes available

    • Members of the public can visit the Library to use printed materials and access study spaces.
    • If there are materials you would like to access in Birkbeck Library, you can purchase the following membership:
    • You need to provide a passport-sized photo and proof of ID and home address (for instance a valid driving license, utility bill, or passport) when applying online. Documents uploaded must be scanned in full.
    • Payments should be made in person on receipt of the membership card.
    • We will contact you when your weekly/monthly/yearly membership card is ready. We process applications within 48 hours. You will need to show a form of ID to collect your card.

    University of Sanctuary

    As a University of Sanctuary, Birkbeck offers free library membership to London’s sanctuary community.

    Application for Membership

    • As a University of Sanctuary, Birkbeck offers free library membership to our sanctuary community in London. If you have a forced migrant background and would benefit from accessing an academic library, sign up today and book your induction.
    • Can I apply?
      • You need to be referred by the Access and Engagement Department at Birkbeck, a Birkbeck academic, or one of our charitable or local partners. You need to be over the age of 18.
    • How do I apply?
    • The Access and Engagement Department at Birkbeck will review the applications. Once your Birkbeck Library membership card is ready, the Library will invite you to book an induction.
    • If you would like to refer someone to this scheme or have any questions, please email with 'Access to Birkbeck Library' in the subject line.

    For further information on Library Regulations, policy documents, and forgotten or lost library cards, visit our Library guides and policies page.