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  3. Joining the Open University Library

Joining the Open University Library

All Open University staff and students can access the full range of the library's online resources using their usual OU computer username and password. 

You must register separately to borrow physical items from the library at Walton Hall. If you are campus-based staff or a research student we can set this up for you with your campus ID card. Other students can still visit the library any time during opening hours. If you find something you would like to borrow, go to the Enquiries desk on the ground floor. Here, staff can set up a library card for you while you wait.

Help on how to use online resources and on how to borrow, renew and return items at Walton Hall is available from Help & Support.

Students and staff who require access to physical materials and are not able to visit the library in Milton Keynes can arrange to visit Libraries near you.

Anyone can

Library Services requires all customers to abide by our Terms and Conditions.

OU students and staff

  • If you have applied to join the SCONUL Access scheme, library registration is completed as part of your SCONUL application.
  • To borrow books from the library at Walton Hall, you will need an OU library card. If you are a current OU student or a staff member who does not have a staff ID card, you can register for a library card when you visit the library. It will be issued for you while you wait.
  • OU research students and OU staff who have a staff ID card need to activate the barcode on the back of your staff ID card, using the registration form.

OU Retired staff and Alumni

OU Retired staff and Alumni who would like to borrow from the physical collections at Walton Hall will need to register for a library card. Please ask at the Enquiries desk in the library building when you next visit. Staff can print your OU Library card while you wait.

Alumni joining the Walton Hall Library will not have access to licensed online resources, but can still use a wide range of publicly available resources. Retired staff retain access to a selection of the Library's online resources.

Help on how to use online resources and on how to borrow, renew and return items at Walton Hall is available from Help & Support. 

Students and staff from other educational establishments

Students and staff from universities which are members of the SCONUL Access scheme can join the OU Library and borrow materials. If your home institution provides Eduroam WiFi you will be able to use it in the Library at Walton Hall, providing you have set up EduRoam prior to visiting the OU Library

Before visiting the Open University Library

  1. If you have not done so already, you will need to apply via your home institution for a SCONUL Access acceptance email.
  2. When your home institution has approved your SCONUL Access application, you will receive a SCONUL Access approval email. You can use the same SCONUL Access approval email to apply to different libraries; you do not have to apply for SCONUL each time you want to join a new host library.

When you visit

Please bring a valid SCONUL Access approval email and your current University library ID card or Student Card with you. The Staff on the Enquiries Desk will be able to print your OU library card for you on the day of your visit. An OU library card will allow you to borrow items from our print collection using the self-issue machines.