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Using Other Libraries

Staff and students may benefit from being able to use other libraries. For instance, you may find it useful to join the public library in Galway. Library staff at the Library & IT Service Desk can offer a range of options for accessing other university libraries.

We can provide a letter of introduction for students wishing to use other university libraries.  However, the letter will not guarantee access, and students are advised to contact libraries before visiting, or check their web pages.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students will usually be granted reference use of other higher education libraries during the vacation period of the host institution. You should make sure that you have a current university ID card with you when visiting another university library.  Always check with a library before you visit.

Please keep in mind that access to other university Libraries is resticted in line with government guidelines around COVID-19. 

University Library Co-operations

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) (formerly GMIT) Access

NUI Galway Staff and Post Graduate students will be granted external user access to the ATU library which entitles them to:

  • Access the library at ATU
  • Borrow up to 5 items for 2 weeks
  • Access to online library resources is available on-site only using guest wifi and the users own device

Regular Library rules, such as overdue fines and payment for lost items, will apply.

To request access to the ATU library:

NUI Galway staff and post graduate students should send an email to servicedesk@nuigalway.ie including:

  • ID number
  • Subject area you are interested in accessing at the ATU library
  • Your request will then be processed within 48 hours and further instructions provided
ATU Staff and Research Post Graduates

ATU staff and post graduate students will be granted external user access to the NUI Galway James Hardiman Library which entitles them to:

  • Access the James Hardiman Library at NUI Galway
  • Borrow up to 6 items for 4 weeks which is equivalent to SCONUL Band A
  • Access online library resources on a limited number of PCs located in the library
To request access to the NUI Galway library:
  • Send request through the Library at ATU
  • Give at least 2 days advance notice
  • Once approved the requester can then go to NUI Galway library with their current ATU ID card
  • An NUI Galway library access card will be issued to be used for access to the library and for borrowing

 Note: This is a pilot scheme that will be reviewed every 6 months.

ALCID Research Extra

ALCID Research is a co-operative access scheme between Irish higher education libraries. It gives access, but not borrowing rights, to academic staff and postgraduate students.

ALCID Research is a co-operative scheme, which allows access to Irish university libraries. However, it does not allow borrowing.

To apply:
When visiting other libraries:
  • Make sure that you have your NUI Galway ID card.
  • Check web pages of the institution you intend to visit for opening hours and other information before your visit.
ALCID Libraries:

For a full list of ALCID libraries and details, view information from CONUL. 

SCONUL Access

Staff and students can apply online for SCONUL privileges, which allows access to and borrowing from university libraries in Ireland and the UK. Note that borrowing privileges are not extended to full-time undergraduate students. Borrowing privileges vary from one university to another, so always check their web pages.

SCONUL Access is a reciprocal access scheme granting borrowing privileges to library users of higher education libraries in Ireland and the UK.  Each member library chooses the type of user to accept and  borrowing privileges associated with the user group.  NUI Galway offers borrowing to all three bands, see table below for information on bands and borrowing privileges. Go to the SCONUL Access website for details of more than 150 participating libraries and check which types of user are accepted by individual member libraries.

Band
Group
Borrowing Privileges

Band A

Staff & Research Students

4 Books for 14 days with 5 renewals

Band B

Part-time Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Distance learning & placement students

4 Books for 14 days with 5 renewals

Band C

Full-time Taught Postgraduates

4 Books for 14 days with 5 renewals

Band R

Reference access to full-time undergraduates and some other users not covered by the banding agreement

 No borrowing privileges

The following Irish universities are members of the scheme:

Dublin City University [Band A] 

University College Cork [Bands A C]

University College Dublin [Band A]

University of Limerick [Bands A C] 

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland [Band A]

National University of Ireland, Maynooth [Bands A B C]

Queen’s University, Belfast [Band A]

University of Ulster [Bands A B C] 
How to apply:

To request access to another library in the scheme:

  • Visit SCONUL Access and complete the online application process
  • You must use your NUIGalway.ie email address on the application
  • Your application will be forwarded for approval from the James Hardiman Library, NUI Galway
  • Once approved you will receive a confirmation email
  • You must retain this email as you will be asked to produce this email at the library you are visiting

Note: The scheme does not provide automatic rights to access computer facilities, including access to electronic journals and databases.