Associate membership criteria 

Associate membership is available for an institution which provides Higher Education in the UK which:

1. can demonstrate that it provides a professionally managed library service (but one which may not fully meet the criteria for full membership), and
2. holds UK taught degree awarding powers at above foundation level.

        Benefits of Membership

        SCONUL membership

        Associate Membership

This might include institutions which are structured as a private company.  We do ask that associate members have taught degree awarding powers at above foundation level and can demonstrate that the institution supports a professionally managed library service.

Decisions on membership ultimately lie with the SCONUL Board and their judgement is final. The Board reserves the right to refuse membership to otherwise eligible institutions should there be perceived to be a conflict of interest between the applying organisation and our charitable objectives.

Benefits of associate membership

Professional associations such as SCONUL provide a spectrum of benefits to members which include sharing information and good practice; providing training and career development opportunities; and delivering or facilitating shared services which provide direct support to members.

We also provide benefits on behalf of the sector as a whole which includes acting as a cradle of innovation by commissioning research, sharing intelligence and brokering conversations; and allowing the community to speak with a common voice through our advocacy and communications activities. Membership of SCONUL also supports members through engendering and developing a sense of community and belonging.

The benefits of associate membership are focused on sharing information and best practice, on training and support with professional development, and on the benefits of our advocacy and sector development work.  Staff at associate member institutions will also benefit from the support and sense of belonging that being part of the SCONUL community bring. 

They exclude access to services which have at their core the requirement for reciprocity, including the SCONUL benchmarking statistics and the SCONUL Access Scheme. Voting and elected positions are limited to institutions which are full members. Please see table below for the list of services available to associate members. Services and support are provided free unless otherwise stated.