Over 18,000 students from local schools and colleges will be able to use University libraries giving them year-round access to study spaces and specialist books.
The new membership scheme will give 16–19-year-olds from the city and its surrounding areas entry to the University libraries at Falmer, Aldrich and St Peters House – each holding a collection reflecting the courses taught on the University’s Brighton campuses.
St Peters House library, near City campus, houses an extensive art and design collection over five floors and is recognised as being of national importance. Aldrich library, at Moulsecoomb campus, supports subjects ranging from biochemistry and engineering to construction, politics and criminology. Falmer library has resources on subjects including health sciences and education.
University User Services Librarian Mary Bartholamew, who was an enthusiastic advocate for the scheme, said that she hoped that opening library services to local students would benefit young people who may not otherwise have a suitable environment to study.
She said: “This will help to support student development and progression onto further study or employment and hopefully provide a positive experience of university libraries to 16 to 19-year-olds who may not have had previous experience of a higher education environment. We are also open at times when school libraries may be closed.”
Vicky Johnson, Head of guidance at BHASVIC, spoke of the positive impact that the membership scheme would have: “I think the use of university libraries could have a huge impact on some students, especially those for whom family situations don’t allow for the time and situation to create ideal study spaces or situations. I see the potential in this to influence and raise aspiration as they ingratiate themselves in the diversity of university students and the culture of learning that universities bring. Not to mention the access to literature that enhances their subject knowledge.”
Although the 16-19 external library membership does not include borrowing, the collections can be browsed and utilised for reference purposes. The collections can be searched via the library catalogue.
School and college students can access the library collections and non-bookable library study spaces throughout the year including vacations by showing their University of Brighton external library membership card.
Any 16-19 year old interested in applying for a membership can fill out the application form in the ‘Visiting the library, external membership and alumni services’ section on the University of Brighton’s website., where further information including opening hours can be found.
