We welcome alumni and visitors to the University libraries at Penryn Campus and Falmouth Campus.
We have collections to intrigue, inspire and educate. The library collections are diverse, representing the subjects taught on each campus. Start by searching the collection to see what is available.
The Archives and Special Collections are also located at Penryn Campus. They house a unique and eclectic collection of original documents, books, and other media suitable for research purposes and creative practice.
If you would like to visit the libraries, or to sign up to a membership, check out the options below.
Visit a Library
Both Penryn Campus Library and Falmouth Campus Library are open to visitors. Our physical collections are split over the two locations.
Archives & Special Collections
Visit our archives for original records and specialised book collections. These unique, eclectic and inspiring sources can be important parts of your research process.
Library access for vistors and alumni
If you are a Falmouth University or University of Exeter graduate, you can join with an Alumni membership.
Alumni membership enables you to borrow up to 10 books at a time for a one-off fee of £35 (Falmouth University), or without charge (University of Exeter).
However, this membership does exclude online resources, videos, and DVDs due to academic licensing. With an Alumni membership, you can also access the Archives and Special Collections by appointment.
We welcome students and staff from other universities through SCONUL Access.
SCONUL Access is a reciprocal library membership scheme for some university libraries throughout the UK and Ireland. If you're a student or staff member at another university, this scheme may allow you to use our libraries.
For instance, if you're from Cornwall but study at another University outside the county, then SCONUL Access may allow you to use Penryn Campus Library and Falmouth Campus Library while you're at home during a vacation period.
Who's eligible for SCONUL Access?
- Your 'home' university needs to also partake in the SCONUL Access scheme. Most Higher Education libraries in the UK are part of the scheme, however not all of them offer access to all users. You can find a list of member libraries on the SCONUL Access website.
- Staff members (both academic and support), postgraduate students (research and taught), distance learners and placement students may be eligible to borrow books from our physical collection.
- Undergraduate students (full time) may be eligible to use our resources for reference.
How to apply for SCONUL Access at our libraries.
- Sign up for SCONUL Access through your own institution. If you've recently used SCONUL Access at other institutions, this step may not be required.
- Complete the membership application form for Cornwall campus libraries.
You are welcome to join us.
If you are carrying out research and would like to borrow our resources, we have public memberships to our collections. Membership costs £35 and lasts for 5 years.
However, this membership does exclude online resources, videos, and DVDs due to academic licensing. With an Public membership, you can also access the Archives and Special Collections by appointment.
Please be aware that processing a Public Membership request may take up to 7 days. Borrowing items will not be permitted until a physical Library Card has been created.
We welcome visits from local schools, colleges and other groups at quiet times of the academic year.
If you are a teacher or leader of a group who wish to visit the library, please get in touch with us to discuss requirements.
Using online resources must be booked in advance.
Members of the public are welcome to use a selection of eResources at Penryn Campus Library.
To book your visit, please LibraryAdmin@FXPlus.ac.uk and tell us when you would like to use our eResources. We will reply to confirm your visit. Then, before arriving at Penryn Campus Library, please complete our online copyright declaration form.
Available resources and preparing for your visit.
Our library is shared by Falmouth University and the University of Exeter. Each university holds licenses that makes certain resources available to the public. However, the two universities make different resources available and with different rules. Please research which university holds the license to the resource you wish to use and follow their given instructions.
eResources provided by Falmouth University eResources provided by the University of Exeter
Licenses with publishers determine what content is available. We cannot provide public access to online resources off-campus.
Visitors are welcome to browse the library & special collections within the library at no cost.
You may also use the study spaces on site, use the wifi, and make copies within copyright permissions.
We reserve the right to restrict access at certain times.
To take out material, you will need to buy a membership.
Our librarians have curated a list of recommended open-access online databases.
Alumni and non-university borrowers cannot access our online resources. However, a growing number of open-access resources are freely available to all. Our librarians have collected together many leading databases, allowing you to search through many journals, archives and more.
Our priority is to provide learners and researchers with the resources they need to support the current curriculum and known research needs. Physical space within the library is limited and all donations have cost implications in staff time and processing. Therefore, we are selective about what materials we are able to accept as donations.
We are unable to accept unsolicited donations. Please check your donation meets the criteria below and then contact the Library.
The library is only able to accept donations which are:
- extra copies of items on current reading lists which are in heavy demand
- recently published and are considered as important for a current or known future area of teaching or research
- authored/edited by academic staff at Falmouth University or University of Exeter
All items must be in ‘as new’ condition. Donations to the Library become the property of the Library. They are accepted on the condition that any unwanted material may be sold or otherwise disposed of, and may be withdrawn at a later date. If your donation is not suitable for us, you may wish to consider:
- Charity shops or charities that collect unwanted items
- Local second-hand bookshops
- Selling the items online
Archives & Special Collections
We continue to consider the acquisition of Archives & Special Collections.
Please contact the Archives & Special Collections team if you wish to discuss a potential deposit.