LibGuides: Using the Library: Accessing Lanchester Library as a visitor

What sort of visitor are you?

After registration, you can:

Access to the Lanchester Library for reference and study purposes
Access the library's guest Wi-Fi through your own device. You can refer to the information under different types of visitors for the details of how to log on as a guest.
Access our library catalogue on various standalone units around the library. However you will not be able to access any electronic resources listed on the library catalogue
Photocopy by purchasing a photocopying card at our welcome desk. You will not be able to use any other IT facilities e.g. library PCs, laptops and printers for printing and scanning that require student/staff log in.

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.

Coventry University is a member of the SCONUL Access reciprocal scheme. This scheme allows students and staff from member universities to visit (and, in certain cases, borrow) books from libraries at other UK higher education institutions who are also part of the scheme.

The SCONUL website lists HE institutions currently taking part in the scheme.

How to apply

Register online at the SCONUL website - simply enter your student / staff status type (undergraduate etc.) and select our university
Once you submit your application it is then reviewed by your home institution and, if approved, they will send you an email.
Bring your approval email, together with your ID card for your home institution, to our library welcome desk. We will ask you to complete an application form and then we will create a membership card for you. This card will operate the entrance gates, giving you access to the library at any time it is open.

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.

Former students Coventry University can join the library as an Alumni Member – Friends of Coventry University (FOCUS).

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.

To apply, please bring some photographic ID and proof of address to the library welcome desk and ask for an application form.

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.

Members of the public over 18 years old can visit Lanchester library on 3 separate occasions with no charge. Please bring some photographic ID and proof of address to the library welcome desk and ask for a day pass. If you would like to visit the library more regularly, you can apply for our membership.

Types of Membership

Reference access only - We offer an annual visitor pass which costs £5. Again, photographic ID and proof of address is required. We will ask you to complete an application form and then create a membership card for you which will give you access to the library any time it is open.
With borrowing entitlement - You can join Lanchester library as an Associate Member. This membership costs £60 per year. You will be given a card which allow you access to the library any time it is open and borrow up to 5 items at any one time. You must apply by email to s.bharaj@coventry.ac.uk. Once accepted please bring some photographic ID and proof of address to the library welcome desk and ask for an application form.

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.

Coventry University has links with a number of local schools and colleges. Sixth form students at these partner institutions can apply for a FREE Phoenix Partnership access card which lets them visit Lanchester library for reference and study purposes.

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 (8am-7pm). 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 gill.evans@coventry.ac.uk or sukhbinder.bharaj@coventry.ac.uk

Advice for Guest Members with borrowing rights

If you have joined Lanchester library as a guest member in one of the following groups your membership gives you borrowing rights:

Associate member
Alumni member
SCONUL member band A, B or C

Once your application has been processed, you will be emailed a user name and login which will allow you to access 'Locate', the library catalogue. As well as searching for items, you can also remotely manage your library account via Locate (for renewals etc.)

You may borrow up to 5 items at a time. All policies regarding overdue charges, maximum loan period etc. are the same for guests as for enrolled students - see our Borrow page.

To log in to Locate as a guest member, please use the dedicated log in page http://locate.coventry.ac.uk/assoc (link will open in a new page). Click on 'Guest' in the top right corner of the page and click again once it changes to 'Log in'. You will then be asked for your log in details.

Using the Library: Accessing Lanchester Library as a visitor

How to join - Visitors

What sort of visitor are you?

Advice for Guest Members with borrowing rights

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