Admissions: External Readers

Students from Other Universities

External students are not normally admitted to the Library unless a particular item is only available at the Library of Trinity College Dublin. In all cases an official letter of introduction from a student's home university is required for admission.

Applicants should apply using the link below at least two weekdays in advance of the required visit date. Immediately after making the application, applicants should e-mail a copy of a letter of introduction to libadms@tcd.ie on headed notepaper and signed by an official from their home university specifically stating details of the material to be consulted. Undergraduates should normally obtain this from their own institution's library; postgraduates would normally ask their course supervisor or tutor to sign the letter.

Applicants must produce a valid student ID card from their home institution when they collect the Visiting Readers Card from the Admissions Counter in the Library (former Berkeley Library) foyer, during its opening hours.

Admission may be refused during exam periods and other times of particular pressure on the Library's resources.

Application Form - Students and Staff from Non-ALCID Institutions

Staff from Other Universities

Applicants should apply using the link below at least two weekdays in advance of the required visit date. Applicants may be asked to supply a letter of introduction signed by their Head of Department/Research Supervisor.

Cards are collected from the Admissions Counter in the Library (former Berkeley Library) foyer, during its opening hours.

Application Form - Students and Staff from Non-ALCID Institutions

Other Applicants - Members of the Public, Students from Private Colleges, etc.

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 via e-mail to libadms@tcd.ie at least two weekdays in advance of the required visit date.

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.