Visitor access
If you're not based at UWE Bristol you can still visit the Library, join the Library and borrow books free of charge.
COVID-19 update for external users
Update: Thursday 10 February 2022
We are open once again for visitors. Please ensure you regularly visit our Coronavirus pages for Library users.
Join the Library
- Please read the library's code of conduct.
- If you are already registered with a local public library, bring your LibrariesWest or Active Card* to a UWE Bristol library during staffed hours and we will add your card to our system.
- Otherwise, complete the online application to join the library.
* LibrariesWest comprises all the public libraries in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
Services available to members of the public
Reference use of print books and journals
You can visit any campus library during staffed hours, search for books and journals on the library shelves and read them on the premises.
Photocopying facilities are not available to members of the public.
Borrow and reserve books
You can...
- Access any of our campus libraries during opening hours (or external borrower access hours for Frenchay Campus Library).
- Borrow up to 5 items, excluding audio-visual materials and laptop loans.
- Make 2 reservations at a time.
We replaced our self-service machines whilst you’ve been away. Our new machines do not work with your existing visitor card. This will be resolved once our scheduled IT improvement project is completed. For now, to borrow books you will need to visit the library desk during staffed hours. Thank you for your patience with this.
Returning
Due to the pandemic, we have a large number of books on loan. We are starting to ask for these to be returned.
If you have any books on loan, please return them to one of our libraries. We will waive any fines for late return relating to lockdowns and restrictions. Library staff will need to manually waive this on the system, so please speak to us at our help desks or get in touch if this applies to you.
If you are unable to visit our libraries, please contact us for details of our freepost service for returns.
Internet access
UWE Bristol participates in the Eduroam service, which provides wireless internet access for visitors from participating institutions.
Visitors can access WiFi in all public locations at UWE Bristol (including in the library) using "_The Cloud".
PCs and printers
You may be aware that we are working on a project with our IT Services colleagues, to allow you access to our PCs and printers. We have had to prioritise improvements and fixes for our current staff and students during the pandemic, to ensure that our core user group could access the materials they need to complete their studies. As a result there is a delay to this work.
Once our planned improvements take effect, you will no longer need to request temporary log-in details. You will be given your own personal log-in details to access PCs and some electronic resources (depending on licence restrictions).
We will also be able to offer visitor printing again, which has been unavailable since our coin-operated machines were withdrawn.
Guest access to databases
Guest access to databases is currently unavailable.
Alumni
UWE Bristol Library supports you in continuing your learning after graduation from UWE Bristol, be it for professional development, academic research, or personal interest.
Join the Library
You can join the Library after you graduate for free. You'll be able to borrow books and use the study spaces and facilities at any of our four campus libraries during opening hours (or external borrower access hours for Frenchay campus library).
You can borrow up to 5 items and make 2 reservations.
Access electronic materials
Guest access to databases is currently unavailable due to ongoing technical issues. We are working to restore access.
Alumni have guest access to databases. This service provides access to a wide range of our databases, but not all of them, due to licence restrictions. See the list of guest-access databases: A-Z.
This service is only available from library PCs on-site. Access to the computers may be limited during busy times. At present we have no off-site access to our databases.
Contact us
If you need help using our services or want to discuss ways we might be able to help you then please contact us.
Business
UWE Bristol Library supports local business, in particular start-up and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are associated with UWE Bristol.
You can join the Library for free. You'll be able to borrow books and use the study spaces. Our books cover all the subject areas taught at UWE Bristol, including extensive business and law collections.
Access electronic materials
Guest access to databases is currently unavailable due to ongoing technical issues. We are working to restore access.
Members of the public have limited guest access to databases. This service is only available from library PCs on-site. This service is licensed only for academic, non-commercial use.
Not all online information is locked up behind subscription barriers. An increasing volume of academic research (including journal articles, conference papers and technical and experimental data) as well as official, business, and ‘trade’ information, is freely available on the internet for anyone to consult and use.
Explore our online reading list on free to access resources to support business. You can also access UWE Bristol’s own open-access Research Repository for open access to all of UWE Bristol's research output.
Contact us
If you need help using our services or want to discuss ways we might be able to help you then please contact us.
Students and staff at schools and colleges
We welcome visits from schools and Further Education colleges. Find out what resources we can provide and arrange a visit.
