All RWCMD staff and students are automatically members of the Library – see details of what you can borrow and information about our resources for different subject areas. Your College ID card is your Library card. Please get in touch if you need any help accessing your account.
We have reciprocal borrowing agreements with several other local libraries, see below for details of this and membership options if you are not a member of the College.
Reciprocal agreements with other libraries
We have reciprocal borrowing agreements with Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of South Wales (USW). Further information for RWCMD students about reciprocal borrowing is available at the Library. RWCMD staff and postgraduates should see the information below about SCONUL Access.
Undergraduates from the institutions above are welcome to join the Library at RWCMD to borrow up to two items (1 week or 3 week loans, with some exclusions) at once *. We need to see your university ID (which will become your RWCMD Library card too) and will give you an application form to complete. We recommend that you visit for the first time between 9:00 and 17:00, Monday-Friday, when more staff will be available to help you. Please see our contact details and location and let us know if you are making a special trip or have any questions. Membership is for one academic year at a time and will terminate on 31 May.
* Please note: undergraduates from USW are automatically entitled to membership. Undergraduates from Cardiff University or Cardiff Met will need a letter of introduction from their own library.
SCONUL Access
RWCMD is a member of SCONUL Access. This is a co-operative scheme between many higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland. It enables staff and students from one institution’s library to borrow material from others. Undergraduate students cannot always borrow but may have access for reference purposes at these libraries. An online application must be completed and this will be checked and approved by your own institution’s library (who will confirm that you are in ‘good standing’ with them). For further details: ask at your library or go to the SCONUL Access website to register.
RWCMD staff and postgraduates should register on the SCONUL Access website. Your application will be received by the Library team, who will check that you have no outstanding charges or items before approving it. We aim to do this within two working days. Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns. We advise you to contact any library you are intending to visit in advance to check the process for registering.
We welcome staff, researchers, taught postgraduates and distance learners from participating higher education institutions to join the Library at RWCMD and borrow 5 items (1 week or 3 week loans, with some exclusions) under the SCONUL Access scheme. Please bring a copy of your SCONUL Access and email and be aware that at busy times we may not be able to set up your account immediately. We recommend that you visit for the first time between 9:00 and 17:00, Monday-Friday, when more staff will be available to help you. Please see our contact details and location and let us know if you have any questions.
Undergraduates from other institutions not covered by our reciprocal agreements can use us as general visitors.
Junior Conservatoire and Young Actors Studio
Members of staff should have a Library account automatically. Students in Year 7 and above can request Library access via Junior Conservatoire / Young Actors Studio. Please see our guide to Library services for Junior students and staff for full details of the membership scheme and advice on requesting and returning items.
General visitors
We welcome researchers and interested visitors who may use us for reference only. It is advisable to contact us before you intend to visit.
External membership
Members of the public may be eligible to join the Library as external members on payment of an annual fee of £50 and at the discretion of the Head of Library Services. This will allow a borrowing entitlement of up to 5 items at a time, excluding short loans. Requests should be made in writing (by email or letter) in advance of your visit. Please do get in touch.
DAW membership
Individuals or groups wanting to borrow sets of plays should see our pages about the Drama Association of Wales (DAW) collection at RWCMD.