We are open to day visitors 08:00 - 21:00 Monday to Friday; and 08:00 - 17:00 at weekends. Borrower members can use the Library during full opening hours. 

You need one of the following to enter:

• a borrower member KentOne Card (apply here for Library borrower membership)
• a Visitor Card from the Welcome Desk at the Main Entrance. You must be 18 or older and have photo ID with you.
• a Day Card (also available from the Welcome Desk).

You can browse and read the Templeman Library's collections.

Many academic works are published Open Access which makes them free to use and share. How to find legitimate Open Access versions of scholarly articles and books  

Academic visitors: if you belong to another Higher Education Institution you may be able to borrow from the Templeman Library via the SCONUL Access scheme. Check with your own institution's library for information on access to other libraries.

If the SCONUL scheme is not relevant to you, you could choose one of our Templeman Library borrower membership options. 

The best membership option for you will depend on how many books you want to borrow and how long you want to be a member. Depending on your circumstances, it could be free!

If you're a regular visitor and don't want borrower membership you can get a visitor card. It lets you swipe in and out at all entrances, and print from the visitor PC. 

It's valid for a year and can be renewed thereafter.

To get your card

• Ask at the Welcome Desk near the Main Entrance.
• You need to be 18 or older, and bring photo ID with you.

Our Special Collections and Archives hold unique collections on a wide range of subjects, including rare books, political cartoons, theatre, stand-up comedy, wind and water mills, the history of science and Kent local history.

Anyone is welcome to access the collections. If you wish to view material, please email specialcollections@kent.ac.uk.

• Academic visitors or those with a Kent IT Account should use eduroam
• all other visitors: use WiFi Guest

Members of the public can use the visitor PC in Block C, Floor 1 in the Templeman Library to:

• use the internet
• use Microsoft Office

A Kent IT Account for academic visitors, conference guests and those staying overnight on campus provides the following services:

• the University Wi-Fi service eduroam
• student PCs
• printing, copying and scanning

Library Café

The Library Café on Block B, Ground Floor, is a relaxed social space with plenty of room to study and work together. Refreshments are also available.  

Templeman Exhibitions

The Templeman Gallery showcases different exhibitions throughout the year, including material curated by Special Collections & Archives. These exhibitions are open to the public and free.

Reading spaces

Comfortable reading spaces with a variety of furniture are available all around the library. Many spaces have sockets to charge your devices or plug in your own laptop. 

Find out all the ways you can get in touch: