Admissions
Location: Ground Floor, Berkeley Library (PDF 101KB)
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 and Postgraduates from Other Universities
- Undergraduates from Other Universities
- Other Applicants
- Special Arrangements for Manuscripts and Maps
- Special Arrangements for CDETB TAP Students
Members of Trinity College Dublin
All members (staff and students) of the University are admitted to the Library of Trinity College 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.
- Visiting readers can access a large collection of e-journals and databases using designated computers within the Library
- Remote access to e-journals, databases etc. for visitors is not permitted under publisher/provider license agreements
Trinity College Dublin Graduates – New Applications
Graduates of Trinity College Dublin may apply for a Graduate Reader's Card after their Commencement:
- 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
- No borrowing permitted
- Automated Storage Requests can be placed using this card
- Graduate Readers can access a large collection of e-journals and databases using designated computers within the Library
- Remote access to e-journals, databases etc. for graduates is not permitted under publisher/provider license agreements
Trinity College Dublin Graduates – Card Renewal
If you need to renew your Graduate Reader's Card, please contact the Library Admissions Desk 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 the Library of Trinity College 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 the Library of Trinity College Dublin.
The ALCID card issued by your home institution is valid for entry to the Library of Trinity College Dublin. ALCID readers who need to place Automated Storage Requests should also apply for a TCD Library Visiting Reader's Card.
Click here to register for the Automated Storage Request System 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). The Library of Trinity College 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 the Library of Trinity College 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 101KB) during its opening hours. Please bring your Music PAL card and proof of identity.
Music PAL visitors should be familiar with regulations at the Library of Trinity College 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 its 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 the Library of Trinity College Dublin.
Applicants should apply in person to the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library during its 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
Undergraduates are normally not admitted to the Library unless a particular item is only available at the Library of Trinity College Dublin.
Applicants should apply in person to the Admissions Counter, Berkeley Library during its opening hours with:
- A letter of introduction from your home university library specifically stating details of the material to be consulted (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 (with photo ID) during its 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 CDETB students from other colleges
Reading access is granted to CDETB students in the Trinity Access Programme for the duration of their course.