LibAnswers

Access25 is the M25 Consortium’s scheme that allows mutual access to the teaching and research collections at more than 50 libraries in London and southeast England.

Who can use the scheme?

Postgraduate research students and staff of member libraries of the M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries are eligible to join the scheme.

View the directory of M25 Members here.

This scheme is particularly beneficial for scholarly/specialist libraries looking to access the collection of a HE Institution. If you belong to an HE institution in the M25 Consortium and wish to access another HE institution’s library, you are recommended to use the SCONUL Access scheme instead.

If you are a King's Staff Member or King's PGR Student:

You can apply for an Access25 paper card.

This will allow you to access other M25 libraries participating in Access25 - local variations apply.

Please check the M25 webpages for a list of participating institutions as well as access restrictions and additional notes for each of them. 

1. Before starting your application to request an Access25 paper card, please make sure you have completed an Access25 application form. You will be asked to attach this completed and signed form as part of your request.

2. When you have your completed and signed Access25 application form, please attach it and send it to us by filling out an Access25 card request for King's staff & King's PGRs students form.

You must be a King's staff member (on an open or fixed term contract) or a King's postgraduate research student, registered for a qualification awarded purely by research. You must also have an active King's library account to proceed, with no outstanding fines.

During your visits to other M25 libraries participating in Access25 it is also required to have your King's ID with you.

If you are a staff member or PGR student from any other member library of the M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries (non-King's):

King's Libraries & Collections, as well as most of the M25 member libraries, accept Access25 cards when supported with the user's ID card from their home institution.

Please contact your institution’s library to find out if they are a member of the M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries and to apply for an Access25 card.

Access25 cardholders are allowed access to our 5 main King's libraries during library staffed hours: The Maughan, New Hunt’s House, Franklin Wilkins, Weston Education Centre and IoPPN Libraries.

You can access them simply by showing your Access25 card, together with your institutional ID. No application is required for your visit.

• Borrowing materials from King's libraries

If you are in possession of an Access25 card from your institution, you can also apply for a King's library borrowing account.

A card will be issued that will give you swipe access outside of staffed hours (subject to library opening times) and you will be able to borrow up to 5 books (you can take out up to five books in one go but you’re only allowed to have a total of five books on your account). If you don’t need to borrow books, there is no need to complete this form.

Please note: this is will only allow you access to the libraries, not other King's Buildings.

Before starting your application, please make sure you have available:

• A copy of your Access25 card.
• A copy of your Institutional ID.
• A passport style photograph.

You will be asked to attach the above as part of your request to receive an Access25 King's ID card.

If you wish to proceed, please complete an Access25 King's ID card – Library Joining form.

For all external library users, please note:

• Access to a limited selection of e-resources is available via a few public access (VERA) PCs.
  Please speak to library staff for access.
• Reference access is available to all our print resources.
• Visitors to King's libraries can use many of the same printing and photocopying services available to staff and students. Full details of this service and instructions on how to register for your own guest print account can be found here. These facilities are available in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
• Wi-Fi is available through The Cloud. See here for registration details.
• The eduroam wireless network service may also be available if you belong to a participating institution. Eduroam login details can be used to access this network at King's library sites.