Library Membership: Joining the Library
Students
Campus Cards are issued to all students studying on an HE-level course or a full-time FE-level course. You will receive your Campus Card when you first register with the University. This also acts as your Library membership card.
Your Campus Card must be brought with you every time you use the Library, as this identifies you as a valid library user and allows you to gain access to the Library through our entry turnstiles.
You will not be able to borrow books without your Campus Card.
Your Campus card is not transferable and you will be held responsible for all items borrowed on it. Tell us immediately if you lose your card so we can temporarily close down your library account whilst you obtain a replacement card.
Further details about the Campus Card can be found on the IS website.
Please contact Kath Shakespeare, Team Leader - User Services, if you have any questions about membership of the University Library, on 023 9284 3245 or kath.shakespeare@port.ac.uk
Student borrowing entitlements, charges and fines
University Staff
All new members of staff should obtain a Campus Card on joining the University.
Using your Campus Card in the Library
The first time you come to the Library, you will need to have your campus card enabled for access and borrowing. Staff at the Issue Desk will process that for you on arrival.
Please contact Kath Shakespeare, Team Leader - User Services, if you have any questions about membership of the University Library, on 023 9284 3245 or kath.shakespeare@port.ac.uk
Obtaining your Campus Card
Guidance on obtaining your new Campus Card can be found on the Campus Card webpage.
Staff borrowing entitlements, charges and fines
External Readers
External membership of the University of Portsmouth Library is available to those who are not staff or students of the University.
Members of the public may use the University Library for reference purposes free of charge. Please bring some photographic ID with you and go to the Reception Desk. You will be asked to complete the Visitors' Book and will be issued with a Day Pass to enable you to access the Library.
To borrow from this library, you will need to become an External Reader and pay an annual fee. There are reduced rates for applicants who are Alumni of the University of Portsmouth. For more information, please see the Alumni website. There are some External Readers who are not required to pay fees: this includes retired staff, and students and staff registered at another institution who are entitled to join under the Sconul Access scheme.
Note that restricted access to the Library is applied during the academic year in the run up to the examination period. This Formal Exam Period usually falls in May each year, when access to the Library is limited to our students, staff and fee-paying External members only.
Please apply in writing to the University Librarian. For more information, see the External Readers Guide (below).
