Visitor access

Access to the Lanchester Library for reference and study purposes is available to members of the public, college students and sixth form pupils. Please note that access to any electronic resources or group study rooms is not available under the following access / membership schemes.

Library staff have the right to refuse entry to anyone who cannot provide acceptable means of identification, does not have a valid reason for using the Library, or for any other reason whether in possession of a valid ID card or not.

All visitors under these access schemes must comply with the Lanchester Library rules and regulations which are set out in Appendix 3 of the University General Regulations.

Associate Membership

Members of the public can apply for Associate Membership at a cost of £80.00 per annum. An associate member will have unlimited access to the library for a year for reference and study purposes and will be allowed to borrow up to 5 items at any one time. Associate Members can also use the Document Supply Service for a charge of £7.50 per item.

All requests for Associate Membership should be sent to the Customer Services Manager.

For Wi-Fi access please ask at the Library Welcome Desk and staff will raise an online request to ensure Wi-Fi access for the duration of the card. Please note at busy times there may be a delay in providing access.

Alumni Access – Friends of Coventry University (FOCUS)

CU Alumni is an association for all graduates and former students who have studied at Coventry University. Former students who require library access and borrowing rights are entitled to join the library. FOCUS members will have access to the library for a year for reference and study purposes and will be allowed to borrow up to 5 items at any one time. The Document Supply Service is also available for a charge of £7.50 per item.

For Wi-Fi access please ask at the Welcome Desk for the Digital Services phone number. Please note at busy times Digital Services may not be able to grant this immediately.

Lanchester Library: College Student and Sixth-Form Pupil Access

College students or sixth form pupils who wish to visit the library for reference and study purposes on a regular basis can apply for a free Schools & Colleges access card.

To apply for a card the student must see their sixth-form/college head as the procedure is initiated via college/school staff who complete the student’s details on our secure online portal.

Once we receive the student’s details from staff we will email the student to invite them to the library welcome desk (9am-6pm Monday to Friday). The student must bring their school/college ID and we will create a university library access card for them.

Access to the library for school/college students is from 8am to 7pm.

Students must acknowledge they have read our regulations when applying for access.

The University Library takes the storage and retention of student data seriously. Please see our privacy notice and data retention policy regarding how we process and retain students’ information.

For more information please see the Schools website.

For further information on how to register your school please contact hayley.chevell@coventry.ac.uk or sukhbinder.bharaj@coventry.ac.uk.

Group visits

If you are a teacher and wish to arrange a visit to the library with a group of college or sixth form students, please contact Hayley Chevell.

SCONUL Access

Coventry University is a member of the SCONUL Access scheme. This scheme allows staff and students from other Higher Education institutions access to the library. Once your application has been processed by your home institution via the SCONUL website, you will receive an approval email with further details on how to take part in the scheme. A printed copy of your SCONUL access email and your home institution ID card should be presented to a member of staff at the ground floor library reception desk (anytime between 8am – Midnight) in order to receive your Lanchester Library access card.

To access the Wi-Fi at Coventry as a SCONUL user please make sure you have activated EDUROAM by downloading the installer. When installing please select your home institution. If you have any difficulties with EDUROAM please contact the IT helpdesk of your home institution.

If your institution does not participate in EDUROAM, please ask at the Library Welcome Desk.

Visitor Access

Visitors requiring regular use of the Lanchester Library for reference and study purposes are required to provide specific details of their reasons for requiring access. The annual cost of a Visitor pass is £10.00. This pass can be requested anytime between 8am – Midnight at the library welcome desk on the ground floor. Photographic identification and proof of address will be required (for example: passport or driving license and a recent utility bill or bank statement).

Visitors requiring occasional use of the Lanchester Library for reference and study purposes can apply for a 3 day pass. A 3 day pass at no cost can be requested anytime between 8am – Midnight at the library welcome desk on the ground floor. Photographic identification and proof of address will be required (for example: passport or driving license and a recent utility bill or bank statement).

For Wi-Fi access please ask at the Welcome Desk for the Digital Services phone number. Please note at busy times Digital Services may not be able to grant this immediately.