Access and Library Link Guide

 Visiting the Edward Murphy Library 

Reader Category Access 
NCAD Students & Staff Unlimited access within EML opening hours.
NCAD Graduates Must sign in at the issue desk and can use the library for reference & study. Maximum five visits per month.
External Undergradutes You must bring a letter from your college library requesting access and hand it in at issue desk on arrival. Letters must specify the date of the visit and new letter is required for each visit.
External Postgraduates and Staff Postgraduate students and staff from participating instiutions can access the EML through the Library Link: CONUL Access Scheme. Other postgraduate students and third-level staff should contact the Issue Desk for further information.
External Membership An external membership scheme is available. See the 'Externals' tab for further information.
Public Public access is only by prior arrangement with the issue desk and only after 4.30 pm during term time.  Visitors must sign in at the issue desk on arrival. Maximum of five visits over any four-week period. Maximum 30 visits over 12 months.
Please note that access for visitors will only be granted for purposes of research involving use of the library collection. We cannot accomodate access for facilities only.

Visiting Other Libraries 

If you are a registered NCAD student who wishes to visit another academic library, and do not qualify for the Library Link scheme, we can provide a Letter of Introduction on request.

In order to do this, we will need to have the following information: your name, the name of library you wish to visit, the date of your planned visit, and the material you wish to consult.

We advise that you consult the website of the library you intend to visit before requesting a Letter of Introduction, as they may have additional requirements or access restrictions. 

Requests for Letters of Introduction can be sent to the Assistant Librarian, Katy Milligan: milligank@staff.ncad.ie. 

Library Link: CONUL Access Scheme 

NCAD Library is a member of Library Link: CONUL Access Scheme (formerly known as ALCID), a co-operative access scheme in operation across a number of institutions. The Library Link: CONUL Access Scheme membership card gives access to the card holder to the participating libraries across the Island of Ireland. All full-time staff, doctoral and masters (research & taught) students can avail of the Library Link: CONUL Access Scheme.

A Library Link card entitles the bearer to read-only access to participant libraries - ie you cannot borrow materials from them.

To obtain a Library Link card, please call to the Issue Desk with your NCAD Student or Staff card, or email libraryloans@staff.ncad.ie

Please note:

Membership of the Library Link scheme is for one year, commencing in September. You must have your NCAD Student or Staff card with you as well as your Library Link card when you visit another library. Before visiting another Library Link institution, check for any special arrangements for visiting readers, and for opening hours. 

The participating institutions for the academic year 2024/25 are:

  • Dublin City University
  • Technological University Dublin
  • Mary Immaculate College
  • Maynooth University
  • Queen’s University Belfast
  • RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Royal Irish Academy
  • Royal Irish Academy of Music
  • Trinity College, Dublin
  • University College, Cork
  • University College, Dublin
  • University of Limerick
  • University of Galway
  • Ulster University
  • Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
  • National College of Art & Design 

Visiting TCD or UCD?

If you plan to visit the libraries of TCD or UCD, you will need to complete an additional registration form in advance of your visit. Please see TCD's admission information page, where you will find a link for NCAD students and staff to follow, and UCD's admission page for staff and students from other Universities. 

External Membership

Former students or those with no previous connection to NCAD are welcome to join the library as external members. Readers in this category are entitled to borrow two books for two weeks; four DVDs for one week, and two journal issues for two weeks.

NCAD Alumni: 

€75 for 12 months (6 month membership is also available)

Members of the Public: 

€120 for 12 months or €60 for 6 months.

Non-accredited CEAD students:

€40

If you are interested in joining, please contact libraryloans@staff.ncad.ie