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Placement Students: Using Other Libraries

SCONUL Access is a reciprocal scheme which allows many university library users to borrow or use books and journals at other libraries which belong to the scheme. The scheme covers most of the university libraries in the UK and Ireland.

As a placement student, you are entitled to join the scheme and borrow material from reciprocal UK and Irish University Libraries.

To join SCONUL Access you will need to

  1. Fill in an application form online at: http://www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access
  2. Supply your Aston University email address and your Aston University ID number (or Library barcode) on your application form. 
  3. You will receive an email approving your application within 5 working days
  4. Take the email and your Aston uniCARD to the Library of choice. 
  5. Check the SCONUL website for any further conditions of registration for the library you wish to attend.

Search across libraries

Jisc Library Hub Discover exposes rare and unique research material by bringing together the catalogues of major UK and Irish libraries. In a single search you can discover the holdings of the UK’s National Libraries (including the British Library), many university libraries, and specialist research libraries. 

 

Join your local public library

When your placement is confirmed, it is worth checking out the local library facilities. 

  • City centre libraries generally have a business library available to members of the public.
  • They may have links with the local University library that you could make use of.
  • Search and browse newspapers, patents, annual reports, industrial news and much more
  • Free internet access
  • To join you will need to prove who you are and that you live locally to the library