Using the Library

Admission to the Library

We are delighted to welcome new readers to the library. Our reading room provides a friendly quiet atmosphere in the heart of the city. To gain access to the library, you must register as a library reader.

This can be done on your first visit to the reading room where registration forms are available. You will also need to show a current valid photo ID or

• a letter of introduction from an Academy Member, or from a County Librarian or the Librarian or Head of Department of a Higher Education Authority institution, or from the Higher Education Authority or the Department of Education and Science, or from a North of Ireland third-level institution, or from the Secretary of a Local History Society or
• a National Library of Ireland Reader’s Ticket or
• a National Archives of Ireland Reader’s Ticket or
• a Public Record Office of Northern Ireland Reader’s Ticket or
• a Linen Hall Library Reader’s Ticket or
• a letter of introduction from the faculty of a university (in the case of overseas academics and students) or
• a valid student’s card and passport

Registration forms must be validated by the Librarian on duty. A Reader’s Ticket is issued and is renewable on an annual basis.

Members of Academy committees or commissions, or members of consultative committees affiliated to the Academy, are automatically eligible to read in the Library. They will be issued with a Reader’s Ticket on completion of a registration form and are not required to pay a fee.