Preparing for your visit to the University of Bristol Library
How to check that the book you need is available.
Before visiting, you will need to confirm the book you wish to study is available.
You will also need to confirm the location of the book. Our printed collections are housed across our library locations, but not every library is open to visitors.
If the book is within a library that is not open to the public, you can request it to be brought to the Arts and Social Sciences Library, where you will be able to review the text.
Day Reader pass
For visitors using a Day Reader pass, to ensure you can use the books you require:
Use library search to check the availability of a book
Use Library search to:
- Confirm the title is currently available
- Check which library location holds the book you wish to consult
If the title is held at the Arts and Social Sciences Library, you will be able to get the item from the shelves during your visit.
If the title is held at another library location, you will need to request the book to be transported to the Arts and Social Sciences Library. Please allow 5 working days.
Request a book to be brought to ASSL
If the item is an online resource, we will be unable to provide you access.
SCONUL Access with borrowing card (Bands A, B, C)
For visitors with a SCONUL Access borrowing card, to ensure you can use the books you require:
Use library search to check the availability of a book
Use Library search to:
- Confirm the title is currently available
- Check which library location holds the book you wish to consult
If the title is held at the Arts and Social Sciences Library or Wills Memorial Library, you will be able to visit these libraries and retrieve the item yourself.
If the title is held at another library location, you will need to request the book to be transported to the Arts and Social Sciences Library. Please allow 5 working days.
Request a book to be brought to ASSL
If the item is an online resource, we will be unable to provide you access.
SCONUL Access without borrowing card (Band R)
For visitors using SCONUL Access Band R (full-time, on-campus undergraduate), to ensure you can use the books you require:
Use library search to check the availability of a book
Use Library search to:
- Confirm the title is currently available
- Check which library location holds the book you wish to consult
If the title is held at the Arts and Social Sciences Library, you will be able to visit these libraries and retrieve the item yourself.
If the title is held at another library location, you will need to request the book to be transported to the Arts and Social Sciences Library. Please allow 5 working days.
Request a book to be brought to ASSL
If the item is an online resource, we will be unable to provide you access.
University of Bristol Alumni
For visitors who have University of Bristol Library alumni cards, to ensure you can use the books you require:
Use library search to check the availability of a book
Use Library search to:
- Confirm the title is currently available
- Check which library location holds the book you wish to consult
If the title is held at the Arts and Social Sciences Library or Wills Memorial Library, you will be able to visit these libraries and retrieve the item yourself.
If the title is held at another library location, you will need to request the book to be transported to the Arts and Social Sciences Library. Please allow 5 working days.
Request a book to be brought to ASSL
If the item is an online resource, we will be unable to provide you access.