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British Library. Admissions to Reading Rooms

Summary Also known as Readers Passes. Personal and Business Research. British Library (Information).

Access is granted to the collection to those who cannot find the material they require in other libraries.

Admission is by interview and applicants must demonstrate that: * Materials are not available elsewhere.
* Their work requires access to a large research library.
* They need access to public records.

Research on behalf of a company or place of work:
Applicant must provide evidence such as a letter which:
* Confirms that access to the Library is required.
* Gives a brief description of the materials required.
* States the applicants position in the organisation.

Personal research: There is no qualification to use the British Library.
Personal applicants would be expected to have exhausted the possibilities offered by collections in public and specialist libraries.
Applicants would be required to:
* Confirm the subject of their research and the other libraries they have tried.
* Supply a list of references of the items that need to be consulted.
The library would also expect the applicant to have used catalogues, indexes and other research tools.

Applicants should bring:
* Identification bearing your signature (i.e bank card, driving license, passport);
* Proof of home address (ie bank statement, utility bill).

Opening Hours: Reader Admissions Office:
Monday 10.00am-6.00pm;
Tuesday 9.30am-8.00pm;
Wednesday 9.30am-6.00pm;
Thursday 9.30am-6.00pm;
Friday 9.30am-4.30pm;
Saturday 9.30am-4.30pm.

Directions: See British Library entry.

Accessibility: see British Library entry.

Parent organisation: British Library