Access to Other Libraries

Staff and students of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth and St Patrick's College, Maynooth may use other Irish university libraries to consult material not held in the Library.

Undergraduates and Higher Diploma students may apply at the Information Desk for a letter to consult material in another library. This is usually a one-day letter of introduction which will be available for collection after 2.30pm the following working day.

Full-time academic staff and postgraduates can avail of the ALCID scheme which gives reading facilities to participating Irish libraries.

Staff, research students, full-time postgraduates and part-time and distance learning students can avail of the SCONUL Access scheme which gives borrowing facilities to participating libraries in Ireland and in the UK. Undergraduates can also avail of the SCONUL Access scheme for a reference only service to participating libraries in Ireland and the UK.

Before visiting a library, it is advisable to check their website for their opening hours, access requirements and other local conditions.

ALCID (Academic Libraries Co-operating in Ireland)

ALCID is a co-operative access scheme between the libraries of Dublin City University, University College Cork, National University of Ireland Galway, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Royal Irish Academy, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Limerick, Mary Immaculate College, Mater Dei Institute of Education, St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Dublin Institute of Technology and St. Angela’s College Sligo.

ALCID enables reading access to the collections of each of the participating libraries, without formality, on production of a common ALCID membership card for full-time academic staff, academic-related staff and registered students reading for postgraduate degrees.

To obtain an ALCID card, please complete the form (PDF) and take it to the Information Desk. Please ensure that you have your National University of Ireland, Maynooth card with you as staff will need to check this before issuing your ALCID card. Your ALCID card, which is renewable annually (or when your National University of Ireland, Maynooth card is renewed if this is in less than a year's time), will then be issued to you.

Please note that when you visit other university libraries using your ALCID card you will be subject to their regulations, which may differ in detail from those of National University of Ireland, Maynooth. It would be wise to familiarise yourself with those regulations as any serious infringement of them may result in the imposition of penalties in your own university library. You will be asked to show your National University of Ireland, Maynooth card when you visit another member Library. A Brief Guide to ALCID Libraries is available.

SCONUL Access

The National University of Ireland, Maynooth is a member of SCONUL Access. SCONUL Access is a co-operative venture between most of the higher education libraries in Ireland and in the UK. It enables staff, research students, full-time postgraduates and part-time and distance learning students to borrow material from participating libraries. It also provides for a reference only service for full-time undergraduate students. Click here for a list of participating libraries.

To avail of the scheme, simply return a completed application form to the Information Desk. If eligible for the scheme, your SCONUL Access card will be available for collection from the Information Desk after 2.30pm the following working day. This card will be valid for up to three years, or until your course or contract ends if earlier.