Becoming a Reader is free!*

Why do our Readers keep coming back? Because they get more work done here than they do anywhere else. 

Anyone is welcome to come and use the Reading Rooms for their reading, writing, revising, researching, and thinking. By joining the Library as a Reader, you gain access to over 150,000 collection items and become part of a rich community. Readers can use the Reading Rooms every day from 9am - 10pm.

If you wish to become a Reader, you don't need to apply in advance. Just download a Reader form and bring it into the library, or pop into the library to complete one. Please note you need to present the form in person and bring two forms of ID, one photographic (passport, driving licence, etc) and one as proof of address (household bill, bank statement, etc). 

* We firmly believe that no-one should be prevented from using our collections, so it's free to join as a Reader. But it costs £100,000 a month to run Gladstone's Library, so we need to raise over one million pounds every year. The Reading Rooms, with their beautiful woodwork and historic collections, are a large part of our running costs.

We ask everyone applying to use the Reading Rooms to make a £10 voluntary donation to support our ongoing work. This not only covers the cost of your card but ensures that the collections and Reading Rooms remain accessible to future generations.

You may feel you can give more, and if so please do! If you'd like to support the Library on an ongoing basis, please see our Friends programme.

Only need to use the Reading Rooms for a day or so?

You can sign up for a Researcher day pass! These are completely free as long as you return them at the end of each day. You will need to fill in one of our Researcher forms and bring photographic ID and proof of address. Email [email protected] for more information.

Want to use the Reading Rooms but you're under 16?

Simply email [email protected] to ask about our Young Researcher pass. This is for younger users who will be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. As part of the Library's safeguarding commitments, we aren't able to permit users under 16 to use the Reading Rooms unaccompanied.

Renewals and Replacements 

Renewals

If your Reader card has expired, and you would like to renew it, please ask at the Reading Rooms Enquiry Desk during staffed hours (9am - 5pm every day) where a member of the library team will be able to renew your card.

Please bring with you one form of ID with a photograph when renewing your card. If your address or personal details have not changed, we can print and renew your card straight away – you will not need to fill out another form.

If your address or personal details have changed, you will need to fill out a ‘Reader’ form so we can update our records. Please also bring with you a valid proof of address (e.g. a utility bill, bank statement, official correspondence). Electronic copies of proof of address are acceptable. 

Replacements

If you have lost your card, we are able to issue a replacement card to you for a £10 charge. Payment should be made in person, either by cash or card.

Please ask a member of the library team at the Reading Rooms Enquiry Desk for a Replacement Card form.