External Visitors

Our libraries may be open to SCONUL Access members, alumni, local teachers, further education lecturers and researchers.

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Our libraries may be open to SCONUL Access members, alumni, local teachers, further education lecturers and researchers.

External Visitors

You may be able to use the University of East London (UEL) libraries if you are a member of the SCONUL Access scheme, a UEL alumnus, a local teacher or further education lecturer, or a researcher.

Your eligibility determines whether you can borrow books, use library facilities or access resources. Read the section that applies to you before visiting.

SCONUL Access

If you study or work at another participating higher education institution, you may be eligible to use UEL libraries through the SCONUL Access scheme.

How to apply

Follow these steps to apply for a UEL library account.

  1. Apply through your home institution. 
    Your institution must approve your SCONUL Access application and send you an approval email.
  2. Complete the UEL library account application form.
    Upload your SCONUL Access approval email and a passport-style photograph.
  3. Wait for your application to be processed.
    We aim to process applications within two working days, although this may take longer depending on staff availability.
  4. Wait for your collection invitation.
    We will email you when your application has been processed and your UEL library card is ready. Do not visit to collect your card until you receive this invitation.
  5. Collect your card.
    Visit a library helpdesk during staffed hours. Bring your invitation email and your home institution ID card. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the helpdesk closes.
  6. Check the library helpdesk opening hours before travelling.

Using the library

Once registered, you can use UEL libraries during their opening hours. You must show both your UEL library membership card and your home institution ID card.

Access may be restricted to UEL staff and students during examination periods. Check this page before visiting.

Borrowing books

Your SCONUL Access membership band determines what you can borrow.

  • Bands A, B and C: You can borrow up to five items at a time. You cannot place requests or access short-loan materials. You can borrow books only during staffed hours.
  • Band R: You can use library resources and spaces for reference only. You cannot borrow items.

Online resources and computers

SCONUL Access members cannot access UEL's online library resources or use library computers.

You can bring your own device and connect to the internet using the EduRoam or Cloud networks.

Questions about SCONUL Access

Visit the Ask Us library support page for answers to common questions.

Alumni

Alumni are former UEL students and staff.

As a UEL alumnus, you can use any UEL library free of charge for reference.

You can also borrow up to five books at a time for an annual fee of £50.

How to activate your account

  1. Pay the annual fee online through the UEL E-Store if you want to borrow books.
  2. Visit the library helpdesk at Stratford or Docklands during staffed hours.
  3. Bring your Alumni Network Passport ID and proof of your address.
  4. Check the library helpdesk opening hours before visiting.

Local teachers and further education lectures

If you teach at a Newham state-funded school or work as a further education (FE) lecturer and would like to use UEL libraries, contact the campus managers first. Email library@uel.ac.uk to discuss your access.

You can use UEL libraries for reference and study free of charge.

If you want to borrow books, you can borrow up to five at a time for an annual fee of £50.

How to activate your account

  1. Pay the annual fee through the UEL E-Store if you want to borrow books.
  2. Visit a library helpdesk during staffed hours.
  3. Bring proof of payment, valid work ID and proof of your address. Your address document must be a recent utility bill or council tax bill dated within the last three months.
  4. Wait for your application to be processed before visiting to use the library. Access will not be granted until processing is complete.
  5. All external visitors must sign in at the Security Helpdesk before entering the libraries.

Researchers

If you are a researcher aged over 18 and want to consult UEL library resources, contact the campus managers before visiting. Email library@uel.ac.uk to discuss your research needs.

Before contacting us, use Ex Libris Discovery to identify the materials you want to consult. Include details of these materials in your email. Your application must be processed and approved before you can access the library.

All external visitors must sign in at the Security Helpdesk before entering the libraries.

Library rules

These rules help everyone use UEL libraries, collections and facilities fairly and safely. All library users must behave responsibly and considerately.

Access and identification

  • Carry a valid UEL, SCONUL or alumni identity card when using the libraries. Show it to library staff or security staff when asked.
  • If you have forgotten or lost your student ID, report to the library security desk and sign in. Replace your ID as soon as possible. You may be refused access in future if you do not.
  • Never lend your ID card to another person or use it to let someone else enter the library, including another student.

Conduct and personal belongings

  • Treat staff and other library users with respect. Intimidation, aggression, verbal abuse, racial harassment, sexual harassment and other intimidating behaviour are not acceptable. Incidents may be dealt with under the University's Disciplinary Procedures and can result in the withdrawal of access to library facilities.
  • Keep your belongings with you. Unattended possessions that present a security, health or safety risk may be removed and handed to security staff as lost property.
  • Library, Archives and Learning Services (LALS) does not accept liability for lost work or late work submissions caused by service failures beyond its control.

Using of library spaces

  • Maintain silence in designated silent areas and keep conversations to a minimum in quiet areas.
  • Use earphones when listening to audio. Sound must not be audible to other people.
  • Keep mobile phones on silent. Do not make calls in silent study rooms or areas. Follow staff instructions to lower your voice or move elsewhere to take a call.
  • Dispose of rubbish in the bins provided and help keep the library clean and tidy.
  • Do not sleep in the libraries, rearrange furniture for sleeping or bring in bedding. Staff will wake anyone found sleeping, regardless of the time. If you need accommodation support, contact the Hub.
  • Do not carry out work intended for studio or workshop spaces in the library. This includes modelling, cutting, gluing, painting and large drawings.
  • Do not damage or steal library property. Anyone who does so may be subject to the University's Disciplinary Procedures.

Equipment

  • Library staff may make equipment, including PCs, or materials available to another user if they have been left unattended for more than 15 minutes.
  • Do not bring personal domestic appliances, including kettles, bedding, quilts or electric heaters, into the library.
  • Do not bring personal electric transport devices, including e-scooters and hoverboards, into the library.

Food and drink

  • Only cold snacks are permitted in the libraries.
  • Cooked food, strong-smelling food and takeaway meals are not permitted. Staff may ask you to remove these items even if you are not eating them.
  • Do not consume alcohol on library premises.
  • Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is prohibited inside the libraries. Use designated smoking areas on campus.

Borrowing and returning items

  • You need a valid UEL identity card to borrow items using the self-service machines. If you do not have your card or it does not work, speak to library staff.
  • Keep borrowed items safe. You are responsible for replacement costs for items that are lost or damaged beyond repair.
  • Do not lend items borrowed from the libraries to other people.
  • Return items when you receive a recall notice from LALS in your UEL email account.
  • Return all borrowed items when you complete your studies at UEL.
  • If the security alarm is triggered, LALS or security staff may ask to examine your bags and belongings. You must comply with these requests.
  • Standard borrowing notices are sent to your UEL email address. They cannot be sent to a non-UEL email address.
  • LALS may occasionally contact you using the personal details you have provided to UEL. LALS accepts no liability for missed notices or other information caused by inaccurate or incomplete personal details, or by communication failures outside its control.

Children in the library

Only children of current UEL students and staff may enter UEL libraries. Other visitors cannot bring children into the libraries.

If you are a student bringing a child, you must complete and sign a Children in libraries form at the library security desk before entering.

The following rules apply:

  • Only children aged 16 or under may enter under this arrangement.
  • You are responsible for your child's safety and behaviour and must supervise them at all times.
  • Library and security staff cannot look after children for you.
  • Make sure your child does not disturb people using the library for quiet study. If your child disrupts others, you must take them out of the library.
  • Children cannot enter areas designated for silent study.
  • Children cannot use UEL computers or devices.
  • Parents or guardians whose children do not follow these rules, or who have previously caused disruption, may be asked to leave and refused access in future.

Prayer

Prayer rooms are available for students at both campuses. Students should use these facilities for prayer.

If a prayer room cannot be used on an occasion, individual prayer may take place in a quiet corner of the library, provided it does not disturb or inconvenience other students.

Filming and photography

You must obtain permission from the relevant campus library manager before filming or photographing library spaces.

  • Library staff may ask you to stop filming or photographing if you have not obtained permission.
  • Permission is granted on a case-by-case basis. Filming or photography must not disrupt people studying, and anyone captured in the footage or photographs must have consented to their image being used.
  • Do not wear wearable recording devices in library spaces. Staff will ask you to remove them.
  • Permission may be withdrawn if you fail to meet these requirements or any other conditions of approval.

Before you visit

  1. Check that your application has been processed, confirm your eligibility and bring the required identification and supporting documents.
  2. Check the UEL library page for helpdesk opening hours before travelling.
  3. If you are unsure which visitor category applies to you, or need advice about access, email library@uel.ac.uk.