News release

From the University Library

28 April 2005

96% coverage for academic access scheme

SCONUL Research Extra, the scheme that allows academic staff and research postgraduates to borrow from other academic libraries, has been joined by 96% of all UK Higher Education institutions - just a year after it was started.

"Launched in 2003, SCONUL Research Extra is the largest academic access scheme in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, and allows members of an extended academic community to share publicly funded resources by extending borrowing privileges to all participating libraries.

"Initially supported by a core of 60 universities and other higher education colleges, SCONUL Research Extra has now achieved the participation of 156 out of a possible 162 eligible institutions.

"Since its inception, the SCONUL Research Extra scheme has resulted in 8622 academics and research students registering with other university libraries; and a total of 92,547 loans and renewals being issued.

"Suzanne Enright, Chair of the Executive Board of SCONUL and Director of Information Systems and Library Services at the University of Westminster says: 'SCONUL Research Extra represents a new era of cooperation within the higher education community; reducing the number of restrictions on researchers accessing resources. For the future, we look forward to SCONUL Research Extra becoming an integral part of work of the Research Libraries Network.'" - SCONUL Press Release

The University of Southampton was one of the initial group of Universities to join the scheme - for more information, including details of how you can register for a borrowing card, see our SCONUL Research Extra page.