Who can use the Queen Square Library

Who can register?

The Queen Square Library primarily serves the staff and students of UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. We also welcome registered users from across UCL and UCLH, though some of our services are only available to local users.

UCL staff and students with a valid UCL ID card are automatically registered with UCL Library Services. 

NHS staff from UCL-affililated Trusts can also register to join UCL Library Services, though registration is not automatic. Many external users may also register to join UCL Library Services. NHS users and other external users should visit the UCL Library Services membership webpages for more information and joining instructions.

What services are available?

Find out more about Eligibility and Entitlement to UCL Services for different types of library user.

The core services provided by the Queen Square Library are listed below. Most of these services can be accessed by any of our registered users but exceptions are noted below. Please also see special information for ION distance learning students, alumni and external visitors. 

• Interlibrary loans - registered library users from UCL or one of UCL’s affiliated NHS Trusts can submit interlibrary loan requests, following these instructions. For anyone based at ION or NHNN, interlibrary loan requests will be handled by the Queen Square Library and for other users interlibrary loan requests will be handled by their UCL home library.
• Literature searches - staff based at ION or NHNN can request advice and assistance with literature searches. We cannot undertake literature searches for students but please contact us for general search advice. Users who are not from ION or NHNN should contact their UCL subject librarian or their own institution’s library for search advice.
• Training - staff or students from UCL or UCLH can book onto UCL Library Services training courses. Those based at ION or NHNN can also request training from the Queen Square Library.
• Access to e-resources - UCL users may access UCL e-resources using their UCL credentials. NHS users may access NHS e-resources using NHS OpenAthens. NHS users who are also registered library users can also use additional UCL services for NHS members. For other types of user, more detailed information is available about access to UCL e-resources and other UCL services.

Visitors

Visitors who have a need to use our specialised collections are permitted to use the library for reference only. In advance of your visit you must apply online and pay a membership fee if one is required. Please visit the membership website for details of the options and charges. 

Visitors are expected to be largely self-sufficient in their use of the library. While we are happy to offer a brief introduction, we cannot offer training or undertake research on your behalf. Unfortunately, printing and copying facilities are not available for visitors at the Queen Square Library site. 

Please note that the Queen Square Archives (QSA) is subject to different access arrangements, please consult the QSA website for details.

Alumni

UCL Alumni have a range of services available, including eligibility to join UCL Library Services (which includes membership of the Queen Square Library) and walk-in access to UCL e-resources. 

Distance Learning students

Students on all ION courses are welcome to use the Queen Square Library and we are happy to help distance learning students as well as those physically based in Queen Square. The library space and print collections are available only to those who can visit the library in person (we are not able to offer a postal service). However, we are fortunate that UCL’s online collections are increasingly extensive so much of our content is available remotely. To borrow from the Queen Square Library, simply bring along your UCL ID card (contact the Education Team for more information about how to obtain your UCL ID).