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Visitors' guide to the Library: Membership

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.

 

Membership

To apply for a new Associate Membership or renew an expired membership, please fill in our online application form.

We aim to approve applications within 48 hours.  Please allow up to 10 days for your Associate Member SHUcard to arrive. 

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

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.
1 year from registration
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

Student or member of staff at another university (application for SCONUL Access Band A, B, C)

 

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)
Sheffield City Council staff
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of home address
  • Council staff ID or recent payslip (printed or electronic)
1 year from registration

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

Teachers from local schools

  • Photo ID
  • Proof of home address
  • School staff ID or recent payslip (printed or electronic)
1 year from registration

Lecturers at Sheffield College

  • Photo ID
  • Proof of home address
  • College staff ID or recent payslip (printed or electronic)
1 year from registration

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

Centre for Sport and Exercise Science (CSES) Associates

  • Photo ID
  • Proof of home address
  • CSES identification
1 year from registration

Staff from Sheffield Health Promotion Centre

  • Photo ID
  • Proof of home address
  • Sheffield Health Promotion Centre identification
1 year from registration

PhD students on placement at the Michael Carlisle Centre

  • Photo ID
  • Proof of home address
  • NHS identification
1 year from registration
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

Electronic library resources for Hallam alumni

Sheffield Hallam graduates can continue to access a selection of online library resources off campus, including some electronic journals. Please visit the Alumni Use our libraries page for more information.  You don't need to become an Associate Member of the Library if you want to access these online resources but don't intend to visit the libraries.
Adsetts Library [map pdf]
Collegiate Library [map pdf]

Sheffield Hallam University
City Campus, Howard Street
Sheffield S1 1WB
Sheffield Hallam Library Signifier