Visitor access to our Library Services

7 min read

The University of Chichester Library Service is committed to open access for staff, students, and its wider communities.

Members of the public may use all open access material for reference use only. We also offer a ‘Walk-in Access’ scheme for use of Microsoft Office, our electronic resources, and Wi-Fi access to the internet. To arrange this please visit the reception desk and bring both a photo ID and a proof of address. If you wish to have borrowing rights then you may apply to become an Associate Member.

Visitor access

Associate membership

Annual fee: £25

To apply for membership please bring both a photo ID and a proof of address to the main reception. Membership entitles the user to borrow 10 items at any one time. These items must be either the 28 day or 7 day loan types.

Staff and students from over 170 university and higher education institutions in the UK and Ireland may use our libraries as SCONUL access visitors. Check the list of SCONUL access member libraries to ensure your institution participates.

Your printed e-mail confirmation plus your own institution’s library card is required. To find out more about the scheme, who is eligible, what services are available and how it works, visit http://www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access.

Access to the UK Higher Education (Eduroam) Wi-Fi network is available for users from participating institutions and allows secure access to the Internet.

Alumni are entitled to Associate Member status free of charge. To apply for membership please bring both a photo ID and a proof of address to the main reception. Membership entitles the user to borrow 10 items at any one time. These items must be either the 28 day or 7 day loan types.

Retired members of staff from the University are entitled to Associate Member status free of charge. To apply for membership please bring both a photo ID and a proof of address to the main reception. Membership entitles the user to borrow 10 items at any one time. These items must be either the 28 day or 7 day loan types.

Staff are entitled to a free annual library card available from SIZ reception desks at Bishop Otter or Bognor Regis LRCs. Please bring two forms of ID (one photographic).

Chichester Theological College and Diocesan Members:

  • Former Chichester Theological College members
  • Diocesan members of the See of Chichester
  • Diocesan members of the See of Portsmouth
  • Diocesan members of the See of Guildford

are all entitled to free Associate Membership in order to borrow items. We advise that new users bring proof of their identity or contact the Library prior to their first visit so that a library card can be prepared (email help@chi.ac.uk)

Business, educational, and charitable organisations who wish more than one person to become members of the library can apply for Corporate Membership. This offers Associate Membership for a maximum of ten employees.

Please apply in writing to the University Librarian (details below). Once an application is approved, the organisation will be invoiced. After payment has been received, named members will be issued with a Library Associate Membership card providing access to our Libraries. Library cards are not transferable and individuals are responsible for items issued to them.

Corporate membership annual fee: £200

Please apply in writing to the University Librarian:

Learning Resource Centre
Bishop Otter Campus
College Lane
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 6PE

For the University of Chichester’s current Partner Schools, the Library Service is pleased to provide Associate Membership for a maximum of ten staff members for £160 per annum. Small schools may prefer to take discounted individual Associate Membership of £20 per annum per person. Please contact the library team at help@chi.ac.uk if this is of interest to you.

Dome Enterprise Centre (DEC) members are entitled to free Associate Membership. To apply for membership please bring both a photo ID and a proof of address to the main reception. Membership entitles the user to borrow 10 items at any one time. These items must be either the 28 day or 7 day loan types.

Summary of fees #

 Category Borrowing Rights Price

 Day Visitors

 No n/a

 Academic Visitors

 Yes Free

 Alumni

 Yes Free

 Chichester Diocese

 Yes Free

 Retired staff

 Yes Free

 Chichester Academy Trust staff

 Yes Free

 Bursary Students

 Yes Free

 PGCE/MA pre-course continuing students

 Yes Free

 M Phil (Probationary)

 Yes Free

 Pre-entry courses

 Yes £10

 Intermitting students

 Yes £10

 Associate membership

 Yes £25

 Corporate Membership

 Yes £200
Was this article helpful?
Updated on January 13, 2026