Local Libraries

The following are libraries that will permit Memorial University students, faculty, and staff to access their collection and grant borrowing priviledges free of charge.

Harlow Area

Essex County Public Libraries
Library membership is free and open to all. Users can request interlibrary loans from other libraries in the UK. Branches have free wi-fi and public computers with internet. There are about 75 branches, but the two nearest the Harlow Campus are:

  • Old Harlow branch - 30 High Street, Old Harlow, CM17 0DW (about a 5 minute walk from Harlow Campus)
  • Harlow branch - The High, Harlow Town Centre, CM20 1HA (about a 45 minute walk or 20 minute bus ride from Harlow Campus)

Harlow College Learning Resources Centre
Located on Velizy Avenue, Harlow Town, CM20 3EZ (about a 45 minute walk or 20 minute bus ride from Harlow Campus). Memorial University faculty, staff, and students may obtain borrowing priviledges.

Cambridge

Anglia Ruskin University Library
Visitors may access the collection. The library may give borrowing priviledges to visitors for research purposes if they hold material not available from the public library. You will need to apply for borrowing priviledges in person showing photo ID and proof of age and address. They will also need a recent photograph to issue you a library card. There is a £2 charge per item for an interlibrary loan. Computer and wi-fi access is NOT available.

London

London School of Economics Library
Visitors can apply for borrowing priviledges for doing private and non-commercial research. To apply, ID and/or proof of address is required. Users can request interlibrary loans from other libraries worldwide. The library is located on 10 Portugal Street and the nearest tube station is Holborn, on the Central line or Piccadilly line.

City of London Business Library
The leading library in the UK for business information. Everyone is welcome to use the City Business Library and no membership is necessary. The library provides free internet access. The library is located in Guildhall on Aldermanbury, and the nearest tube stations are Bank or St. Paul's on the Central line.

National Art Library (Victoria & Albert Museum)
To use the Art Library, all visitors must apply for a free "Reader Ticket", valid for 3 years. To register, ID and/or proof of address required. Most items are in storage rather than on open access and need to be requested via the Library's catalogue before your visit. The V&A is located on Cromwell Road, and the nearest tube station is South Kensington on the Piccadilly, Circle and District Line.

Guildhall Library
Everyone is welcome to use Guildhall Library and no membership is necessary. The extensive collection specializes in the history of London, including business history. The library has free wi-fi (passwords available from the Enquiry and Help Desks) and public computers with internet. To consult some rare books and manuscripts, ID is required. The library is located on Aldermanbury, and the nearest tube stations are Bank or St. Paul's on the Central line.

British Library
Everyone is welcome to visit the British Library, including exhibition galleries, or to tour the building. However, to use the Reading Rooms at St. Pancras you will need to register for a free "Reader Pass" valid for 1-3 years. To register, ID and/or proof of address is required, and anything which supports your application, like a business card or student card. Full details of the items you wish to see are also needed. Most items in the library’s collection are kept in storage and must be requested, and its recommended you request them in advance of your visit. The library is located on 96 Euston Road, and the nearest tube stations are King's Cross/St Pancras or Euston.

London Metropolitan Archives
The London Metropolitan Archives is home to an extraordinary range of documents, images, maps, films and books about London both at the archive and online. It is free to use and open to everyone. To access original material you must register for a free "History Card". ID and/or proof of address required. It's located on 40 Northampton Road, and the nearest tube station is Farringdon on the Circle, Metropolitan, or H'smith & City line.