Admissions
Location: Ground Floor, Berkeley Library (PDF 63KB)
Telephone: +353 1 8961657
E-mail: Iris Bedford
On this page:
- Members of Trinity College Dublin
- Visiting Readers
- Trinity College Dublin Graduates - New Application
- Trinity College Dublin Graduates - Card Renewal
- Staff and Postgraduates from ALCID Member Institutions
- Music PAL Card Holders
- Staff from and Postgraduates from Other Universities
- Undergraduates from Other Universities
- Other Applicants
- Special Arrangements for Manuscripts and Maps
- Special Arrangements for CDVEC TAP Students
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 – New Applications
Graduates of Trinity College Dublin may apply for a Graduate Reader's Card:
- Apply online here as a Graduate Reader
- 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 in the Berkeley Library (PDF 63KB)
- No borrowing permitted
- Automated Stack Requests can be placed using this card
Trinity College Dublin Graduates – Card Renewal
Graduates who have already been issued with Visiting Reader Cards (white plastic versions) can apply online to renew their card.
Click here to renew your Graduate Visiting Reader card online
Please note: You will need the details on your current Visiting Reader's card to complete the form. If you have lost your card please contact the Admissions Counter directly.
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
- University of Ulster
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.
Click here to apply online as an ALCID reader
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 temporary Visiting Reader Card online. The card takes a week to process and you will be contacted when it is ready for collection at the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library (PDF 63KB) during its opening hours. Please bring your Music PAL card and proof of identity.
Music PAL visitors should be familiar with regulations at Trinity College Library Dublin.
Click here to apply online as a MusicPAL reader
Staff and Postgraduates from Other Universities
Applicants should apply in person to the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library during it's opening hours with:
- A letter of introduction from your Head of Department / Research Supervisor
- Your current university ID card
Undergraduates from Other Universities
Term-Time Access
Undergraduates are normally not admitted to the Library unless a particular item is only available at Trinity College Library Dublin.
Applicants should apply in person to the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library during it's opening hours with:
- A letter of introduction from your home university library specifically stating details of the material to be consulted
- Your current university ID card
Admission may be refused during exam periods and other times of particular pressure on the Library's resources. Note: Students from Irish private colleges will only be admitted on Saturdays.
Vacation-Time Access
Applicants should apply in person to the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library during it's opening hours with:
- A letter of introduction from your home university library (Dublin institutions)
- A CONUL card (institutions outside Dublin)
- Your current university ID card (British institutions)
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.
Applicants should apply in person to the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library during it's opening hours.
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.
Special Arrangements for TAP CDVEC students from other colleges.
Reading access is granted to CDVEC students in the Trinity Access Programme for the duration of their course.