Access to the Library's collections is freely available to the public and appointments are not necessary.

However, on their first visit users must obtain a reader's ticket which is valid for five years. In order to be issued with a ticket, readers should bring the following:

• For a ticket valid only for post-1800 printed material, all microfilms (which include marriage allegations before 1851) and all original wills, please bring proof of permanent address (eg. driving licence, bank statement, utility bill) and two recent passport-style photographs.
  
• For a ticket valid for all classes of material, including original manuscripts and archives of any date, and pre-1800 printed material, please bring, in addition to the above, a formal letter of introduction (eg. from an academic supervisor/colleague, archivist, librarian, employer, vicar, or someone known to you in a formal capacity). Please note that we do not accept e-mails as a form of introduction. In addition, special permission is needed for access to some categories of material, eg. original illuminated manuscripts.

It is a condition of access that all readers observe the rules of the Library (attached right).

[NB Members of staff of the National Church Institutions should bring their staff pass, which will be valid for all classes of material with the exception of restricted material such as illuminated manuscripts].