Admissions
Location: Ground Floor, Berkeley Library (PDF 63KB)
Telephone: +353 1 8961657
E-mail: Iris Bedford
On this page:
Members of Trinity College Dublin
All members (staff and students) of the University are admitted to Trinity College Library Dublin reading rooms on production of their Trinity College Dublin ID card.
TCD students without their ID cards will be given a temporary one-day card (a "day ticket") on payment of a €2 adminstrative charge.
Visiting Readers
Visiting readers will be admitted to use the Library's collections (without borrowing rights) for study and research, provided they belong to one of the categories below or can demonstrate that the Library is a library of "last resort" for their material.
Trinity College Dublin Graduates
Graduates of Trinity College Dublin may apply for a Graduate Reader's Card:
- Complete this application form (PDF 12KB)
- Return in person to Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library (PDF 63KB)
- No borrowing permitted
- Automated Stack Requests can be placed using this card
The card is processed in approximately one week and an e-mail is sent when the card is ready to be collected from the Admissions Counter.
Staff and Postgraduates from ALCID Member Institutions
An ALCID (Academic Libraries Co-operating In IrelanD) card enables access to the collections of participating libraries, but without borrowing rights, and subject to their rules and regulations.
ALCID member institutions:
- Dublin City University
- Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies
- Dublin Institute of Technology
- Mary Immaculate College
- Mater Dei Institute of Education
- National College of Art and Design
- National University of Ireland, Galway
- National University of Ireland, Maynooth
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- Royal Irish Academy
- St Angela's College, Sligo
- St Patrick's College, Drumcondra
- Trinity College Dublin
- UCD
- University College Cork
- University of Limerick
Eligible members of these institutions should apply to their home library for an ALCID card to visit Trinity College Library Dublin.
ALCID cards are available for:
- Full-time academic staff
- Academic-related staff
- Registered students reading for higher degrees
ALCID readers should carry their home institution ID card at all times together with the ALCID card when visiting, and be familiar with regulations at Trinity College Library Dublin.
In addition, ALCID readers may place Automated Stack Requests by applying for a Visiting Reader's Card:
- Complete this application form (PDF 12KB)
- Return in person to Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library (PDF 63KB)
Music PAL Card Holders
Music PAL facilitates access to music information and materials available across a broad range of libraries and archives throughout the island of Ireland. Member libraries collaborate to provide easy access to music resources held in their collections (though without borrowing rights, and subject to their rules and regulations). Trinity College Library Dublin is a participant.
Further details about the scheme are available on the Music PAL website. This includes a list of participating libraries. Members of these institutions should apply to their home library for a Music PAL card if they wish to use the Music collections of Trinity College Library Dublin.
Music PAL card holders should apply for a TCD one-day card (a "day ticket") at the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library (PDF 63KB) during its opening hours. Please bring your Music PAL card and proof of identity. In some circumstances a Visiting Reader Card may be issued to allow access to Automated Stack Requests.
Music PAL visitors should be familiar with regulations at Trinity College Library Dublin.
Staff and Postgraduates from Other Universities
Apply in person to the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library (PDF 63KB) during its opening hours with:
- Letter of introduction from Head of Department or Research Supervisor
- Home university ID card
A temporary card can be issued immediately.
Undergraduates from Other Universities
Trinity College Dublin Term-Time
Undergraduates are normally not admitted to the Library unless a particular item is only available at Trinity College Library Dublin.
Apply in person to the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library (PDF 63KB) during its opening hours with:
- Letter of introduction from home university library stating details of the material to be consulted
- Home university ID card
The one-day card (a "day ticket") can be issued immediately.
Admission may be refused during exam periods and other times of particular pressure on the Library's resources. Students from Irish private colleges will only be admitted on Saturdays.
Trinity College Dublin Vacation-Time
Apply in person to the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library (PDF 63KB) during its opening hours with:
- Letter of introduction from home university library (Dublin institutions)
- CONUL card (institutions outside Dublin)
- Home university ID card (British institutions)
The one-day card can be collected immediately.
Other Applicants
All other applicants must demonstrate they are unable to obtain the material needed for their research elsewhere. During busy periods access restrictions apply. Admissions may be confined to Saturdays only.
Special Arrangements for Manuscripts and Maps
Access to special collections for external readers will normally only be permitted by prior arrangement. Contact Library staff in the Manuscripts and Archives Research Library or Glucksman Map Library directly.