LibGuides: Visitors' guide to the Library: Membership

The University is closed from 5pm on Friday 20th December 2024 and will reopen at 8am on Thursday 2nd January 2025.

Applications have now been suspended until we reopen in January 2025.

Becoming a member of the Library

If you are aged 18 or over and you're thinking of registering to use the Library, there are three types of membership.

Associate Member (Reference) - if you want to come in and work in the libraries but don't need to borrow any books
Associate Member (Borrowing) for free - if you want to borrow books and you fall into one of the categories in the table below
Associate Member (Borrowing) by subscription - if you want to borrow books but aren't eligible under any of the categories, you can join for £30 per year.

Please use the online form at the bottom of the page to apply for new membership or renewing an existing membership.

If you are aged 16-17 (year 12 or 13 equivalent) and studying at a school or college you are eligible to register as a 16-17 (Reference) Member. Please complete this form (suspended until 02nd January 2025) to register. You will only be permitted entry to the library if you have successfully registered and received your membership card.

Get a replacement 16-17 Reference card

If you have lost or damaged or had your 16-17 reference card stolen and it is still valid, you will need to get another card in order to continue using the Library,

Please visit the Online Store for a replacement 16-17 Reference Card

For all membership categories, please ensure you have read and understood the Hallam Library Access Policy and the Hallam Library Code of Conduct.

Associate Membership

To apply for a new Associate Membership or renew an expired membership, please fill in our online application form (suspended until 02nd January 2025).

You will receive emails at each stage of the application so please check these regularly and respond promptly. You will be required to collect the card in person from the Adsetts Library Reception so remember to bring photo ID with you.

To avoid any delays, please make sure you provide the documents requested in the form and include a passport-style photo of the correct size and format. This means:

front facing
your full face must be visible, with no face coverings
no emojis or filters
no photos from another document, e.g. your passport.

The photo will be used on your Associate Member SHUcard so must be suitable for identification purposes.

Get a replacement SHUcard

If you have lost or damaged your SHUcard or had it stolen and your Associate Membership is still valid, you will need to get another card in order to continue using the Library.

Please visit the Online Store for a replacement SHUcard or scan QR code below

Become an Associate Member (Borrowing) by subscription

If you are over 18 and not eligible for Associate Membership under any of the categories above, you can apply to join as a subscription member. The subscription fee for 1 year's membership is £30.

You will need to upload your photo ID and proof of home address, e.g. passport and utility bill, when you complete the application form. The form will take you to the University's secure online payment platform.

Eligibility for Associate Membership (Borrowing) for free

Category of membership	Proof of eligibility	Length of membership	Loans	Renewals	Requests	Bookable Learning Spaces
Former students of Sheffield Hallam University	Original degree certificate (please note transcripts or letters from Faculties cannot be accepted) OR Alumni ID Photo ID Proof of home address Your library account from when you were a student must not have any unpaid fines or fees. Please note: this category is for physical access to the Library Building and to Borrow books only. You can create a graduate profile to access a limited number of online resources. Please visit the Alumni Use our libraries page for more information.	1 year from registration	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
Retired Sheffield Hallam staff	Photo ID Proof of home address Staff ID or recent payslip Your library account from when you were a member of staff must not have any unpaid fines or fees. Please note: this category of membership is open only to staff who have retired from the University, not former staff.	1 year from registration	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
Student or member of staff at another university (application for SCONUL Access Band A, B, C)	SCONUL Access approval email University student or staff card Proof of home address You need to apply for SCONUL Access and receive your approval email before you can apply for Associate Membership of Hallam Library.	Period of course or employment (maximum 3 years)	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
Student or member of staff at another university (application for SCONUL Access Band R) Reference Only	SCONUL Access approval email University student or staff card Proof of home address You need to apply for SCONUL Access and receive your approval email before you can apply for Associate Membership of Hallam Library.	Period of course or employment (maximum 3 years)	None	None	None	No
Lecturers at Sheffield College	Photo ID Proof of home address College staff ID or recent payslip (printed or electronic)	1 year from registration	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
Member of teaching staff on a Sheffield Hallam-validated course at one of the University's partner colleges	Proof of home address College ID	1 year from registration	5	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
Teachers from local schools	Photo ID Proof of home address School staff ID or recent payslip (printed or electronic)	1 year from registration	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
Sheffield City Council staff	Photo ID Proof of home address Council staff ID or recent payslip (printed or electronic)	1 year from registration	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
South Yorkshire Fire and Police officer	Photo ID Proof of home address South Yorkshire Fire staff ID or recent payslip (printed or electronic)	1 year from registration	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
Lecturers and tutors from the NHS	Photo ID Proof of home address NHS staff ID or recent payslip (printed or electronic)	1 year from registration	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
Centre for Sport and Exercise Science (CSES) Associates	Photo ID Proof of home address CSES identification	1 year from registration	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
Staff from Sheffield Health Promotion Centre	Photo ID Proof of home address Sheffield Health Promotion Centre identification	1 year from registration	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No
PhD students on placement at the Michael Carlisle Centre	Photo ID Proof of home address NHS identification	1 year from registration	3	46 weeks (max)	1 (max)	No