/prod01/prodbucket01/media/training/BBL6-3492X1127.jpg)
Information for Visitors
Visiting Bill Bryson Library
Our libraries and collections are provided to support the research, teaching and learning of the Durham University community. We are also pleased to welcome external students, researchers and visitors to Bill Bryson Library.
To our Archives and Special Collections, visit our webpages for more information.
Day Visitors and Reference Access
Subscription Borrowers and Alumni
SCONUL and North East University Members
Retired, Emeritus, Casual and College Mentor Staff
Schools, 6th Form and EPQ Students
Study Group (ISC – Stockton) Students and Staff
If you need additional information, you can contact us through our live chat service or by emailing library@durham.ac.uk
External visitors are welcome between 9am and 6pm, seven days a week. If you are under 18, you need to be accompanied by an appropriate adult or be an authorised Schools, 6th Form and EPQ Student check our webpage for any closures or changes to these times before you travel.
During peak periods (for example, the exam period in April and May, and induction period in October), the library will be closed to visitors as we have a high demand for study spaces. We appreciate your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you to the library outside of these times. Specific dates will be added to the top of this page as required. Dates when we are closed to visitors will be added to the top of this page.
Visitors may be accompanied in the Library by children. Please see our Users Accompanied By Children Policy for more information.
IT and copying facilities:
- Visitors are able to access free Wi-Fi through Eduroam (if supported by their institution) or the Cloud.
- We are unable to provide computers or laptops for external visitors (including SCONUL) to use. You are welcome to bring your own laptop.
- There is on-site access to a selection of our online resources for external visitors. Please ask at the Help and Information Desk if you wish to access these.
- There is a scanner for visitor use.
- There are no facilities for visitor printing or photocopying.
There is a charge of £10 if a replacement for a lost visitor card is required.
We require everyone to follow our expectations of behaviour. For more information, see our Code of Conduct.
Day Visitors and Reference Access
All visitors can sign in and use the library on a reference only basis. This is recommended for standalone or infrequent visits. You will need to bring valid ID, such as a driving licence, passport or ID card, for all visits and a member of our team will sign you in at our Help and Information Desk and issue a day pass. There is no limit to how many times a visitor can sign in.
If you will be visiting Durham University Library regularly, you may wish to apply for an annual Visitor Card by completing a Visitor Campus Card Application form. Applications for campus cards are recommended only for frequent visitors.
Subscription Borrowers and Alumni
If you are not a member of the University and you wish to borrow books from the Library, you can register as a subscription borrower. This allows you to borrow up to 7 items at a time, at a cost of £90 per year. Alumni of Durham University can register as subscription borrowers at a discounted rate of £60 per year. Complete a Visitor Campus Card Application form to apply.
SCONUL and North East University Members
Durham University is a member of the reciprocal scheme Sconul Access. This enables many University users to access other academic libraries in the UK and Ireland. Please see the SCONUL Access information pages to check if you are eligible. If you will be visiting Durham University Library regularly, you may wish to apply for a visitor campus card by completing a Visitor Campus Card Application form.
Retired, Emeritus, Casual and College Mentor Staff
Retired Staff: Staff who are retired from Durham University will need to apply for a DURSA account first, which will give you an @dunelm email address and access to licensed online collections. You can then apply for a library card via the library’s Visitor Campus Card Application form, which allows you to borrow up to 7 items.
Emeritus staff: You will be issued a campus card upon receiving your Emeritus status, which allows you to borrow up to 7 items.
Casual Durham staff and College Mentors: You will be issued a campus card upon joining the University, which allows you to borrow up to 7 items.
Schools, 6th Form and EPQ Students
If you have been on an organised school visit and induction with our Learning Team, you are welcome to use Bill Bryson Library independently for reference use. You will be given a card to show you’ve been to the induction - please bring this with you on each visit and ask to be signed in at the Help and Information desk. If you wish to arrange a school visit, please contact our Learning Team. School and 6th Form pupils are not eligible to apply for campus cards.
Study Group (ISC – Stockton) Students and Staff
Your Campus Card gives you access to Bill Bryson Library and enables you to borrow books.
As partners you are able to use Durham University Library. You will be able to get a campus card from Computing and Information Services and can borrow up to 7 items. You will need to register your student email address at our Help and Information Desk. For more information see the Common Award webpages. E-resources that you are permitted to use can be accessed via the dedicated Common Awards Hub. If you have any queries regarding this access, please contact your tutor or college administrator.