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Residential Access

Adult residents of Yarnton Manor are welcome to use the library for the duration of their stay, Monday to Friday, 09:30–20:00, subject to advance desk booking. This includes on the days of arrival and departure. Please note that there is no library staff provision after 17:00.

Residence onsite automatically includes library access, so no additional payment or registration is required during your stay.  If you wish to use the library outside of your residential period, you will need to apply for Reader Membership.

We have a limited number of Researcher Desks which are available to Resident Scholars who are here on a longer term basis (more than one month). For more information, please enquire whilst arranging your stay.

To book a residential stay or event at the Manor, please see here.

 

Reader Membership

Members of the public may apply to become readers. Applications are reviewed, and successful applicants will be notified by email. You must be over 18 to join as a Reader.

Once you have received confirmation of your library membership, which will include your membership number, you are welcome to begin booking a desk to use the library reading rooms. Please note that a desk booking is required for each visit.

Reading Room opening hours for readers are Monday to Friday, 09:30–17:00.

Proof of Identity and Address

Once membership has been approved, on their first day of visiting, applicants must provide:

  • one proof of identity in its original format; and
  • one proof of permanent home address, provided either in hard copy or electronic form. Proof of address must be dated within six months of the application.

Reader Fees

For the 2026 year, the annual membership rates are as follows:

  • £50 standard annual rate.
  • £25 reduced annual rate for retired or unwaged.
  • Fees will be waived for:
    • Current Clergy and other Church Leaders.
    • Those employed in Christian Charity, Mission and/or the Third Sector.
    • Academics, full-time students of Higher Education Institutions, and part-time students of Higher Education Institutions studying a minimum of 15hrs per week.

The fee charged is a flat fee for the calendar year, regardless of month joined.  Any fees payable are only collected once your application has been approved, please do not attempt to pay before your membership has been confirmed.

We do not want the membership fee to be a barrier to serious theological study.  If the cost is likely to cause financial difficulty, please contact the Library as a limited number of bursaries are available.

 

To apply for membership, please submit the form on this page. We reserve the right to review, accept, or decline applications.  Study desks are limited, so applications may be restricted accordingly

Reader Application

Applications will be reviewed by the library management team, we reserve the right to decline membership. Any fees payable are only collected after your application has been approved.

Name(Required)
What best describes your current status?(Required)
Please briefly describe your research interests or needs.
Type of Membership Applied for:(Required)
We do not want the membership fee to be a barrier to serious theological study. If this is likely to cause financial difficulty, please contact the Library as a limited number of bursaries are available.
If applying to have fees waived or reduced, please upload anything you would like to include in support of your application (e.g. photograph of University Card, photograph of Older Person's Bus Pass, or proof of employment at Church or Christian Charity).
Max. file size: 128 MB.
Consent
Age(Required)

Additional Information:

All Library users are required to observe the following user agreement:

As a UK charity, we are constituted around the Lausanne Covenant; by signing below you confirm that you are in agreement with, or willing to respect, this basis.

  1. General Conduct
  • Respect for Environment: Users must maintain an atmosphere conducive to academic research and writing. This includes:
    • Respecting other readers, volunteers, visitors and staff in the library.
    • Observing noise restrictions and setting mobile phones to silent.
    • No food, and no drinks except in lidded non-spill containers or bottles.
  • Personal Belongings: The library is not responsible for personal belongings. Large bags, coats, laptops and other items must be kept safely with you at all times, and positioned well to avoid trip hazards.

 

  1. Access to the Library
  • All readers and residents have access to the main collection between 9:30am and 5:00pm. A morning prayer meeting is held at 9:00am in the lounge area of the Manor House from Monday to Thursday, which library users are welcome to join.
  • Non-residents must leave the library by 5:00pm.
  • Residents may access the main library collection after 5:00pm until 8.00pm, but are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the values of the Library and the Manor. Should any issues arise, this privilege may be withdrawn.
  • Opening hours may be subject to change if circumstances require the library to close earlier than scheduled.

 

  1. Use of Desks: Registered Readers and Residents
  • Access Requirements: membership and desk booking
    • Access to the library is for registered members and current residents only. ID must be presented upon entry and whenever requested by library staff.
  • Desk Booking
    • All readers must book a desk in advance via the library website.
    • No-shows: Repeated failure to attend without cancelling in advance is strongly discouraged and may affect future booking approvals.
  • Membership credentials are only for the assigned reader’s use; they are not to be shared.
  • Access to the library does not automatically grant access to the Manor House.

 

  1. Use of Library Collections and Materials
  • Handling with Care: Users are responsible for all materials used in the library.
  • Reference Only: All library books are confined and are not to leave the library.
  • Reproduction: Please note that any publication, display, or distribution of images or extracts from library materials is subject to UK copyright regulations.

 

  1. Use of Electronic Resources
  • Copyright and Licensing: The use of e-resources is governed by copyright law and the resource’s specific license agreements.
  • Permitted Use: E-resources may be used for personal, non-commercial research, teaching and private study only.
  • Prohibited Actions: Users must not:
    • Use e-resources for commercial purposes.
    • Systematically or programmatically download large volumes of content.
    • Share access credentials or copies of resources with unauthorized users. Passwords and membership credentials are only for the assigned user’s sole use and must not be shared.
    • Remove or alter copyright statements on any copies made.

 

  1. IT Facilities and Network Use
  • Acceptable Use: The library’s IT facilities must not be used for illegal, unauthorized, or unethical activities, including hacking, accessing inappropriate content, or violating network security.
  • Data Security: Users are responsible for protecting their own data and must securely log off from laptops and the photocopier after their session.
  • No Commercial Use: All library IT resources are provided strictly for academic, research, and educational purposes.

 

7. Consequences of Breach

Breach of this agreement may result in the following actions:

  • Temporary or permanent suspension of library privileges.
  • Immediate removal from the library premises.
  • Legal action and/or involvement of law enforcement in cases of illegal activity or significant policy violations.

 

Once you have received confirmation of your library membership, which will include your membership number, you are welcome to begin booking a desk to use the library reading rooms. Please note that a desk booking is required for each visit.

Please see here for information about how to book a desk.

We are still developing our online information. However, if you have any questions, you are welcome to get in touch over email: library@yarntonmanor.com

Lanier Theological Library is committed to protecting your personal data and complying with GDPR. Any personal information shared will be handled in line with our Privacy Policy. You have rights regarding your data, including access and deletion.