What is UK Libraries Plus?
Information for Libraries

UK Libraries Plus is a co-operative venture between higher education libraries. It enables part-time, distance learning, full time postgraduate and placement students to borrow material from other libraries.

In addition, there is a provision for full-time undergraduate students and for staff to use other libraries on a reference only basis.

Membership is open to any higher education institution which is funded by one of the UK HE funding councils, and the vast majority are now members. The full list of participating institutions, and details on how to become a member, can be found via the buttons on the left.

Some answers to some common basic questions about the scheme:

Q Can students on courses validated by our university but taught elsewhere use UK Libraries Plus?

A If you consider such students to be full members of the university library with an entitlement to all services then you can also offer UK Libraries Plus membership. If the students are not entitled to full access to your library services, then UK Libraries Plus is not open to them. Do please look at operating principle 2 for the rule that covers this.

Q How many books should we be lending to students using our library?

A Most libraries tend to use the external borrower rate for UKLP users. Surveys suggest this is around half the normal undergraduate loan limit. We would hope that libraries could set a minimum level of 5 loans.

Q Should we be letting students reserve and renew online?

A Yes, if possible. Not doing so has been a source of complaint in the scheme user surveys.