Our collections

Library opening times and contact

A guide to using the library

Support and services

Library

This guide provides the key information you need to use RWCMD Library, and it is available in <a href="https://cdn.rwcmd.ac.uk/documents/Libraries/Basic-Library-Guide-English-2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">English</a>, <a href="https://cdn.rwcmd.ac.uk/documents/Libraries/Basic-Library-Guide-Cymraeg-2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Welsh</a> and <a href="https://cdn.rwcmd.ac.uk/documents/Libraries/Basic-Library-Guide-Mandarin-updated-Oct-2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mandarin</a>. If you have other language suggestions for this guide, please contact us at <a href="mailto:library@rwcmd.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">library@rwcmd.ac.uk</a>.

* Please see further details on membership categories. 
** Excludes CDs, DVDs and popular music material, including Musical Theatre scores.

All of our items can be kept for an academic year at a time (without fines) if not requested by anyone else. However, items will issue for a set period each time and this is the date by which you should expect to return them until you have either renewed yourself or received confirmation that they were automatically renewed.
*Some items may only be borrowable overnight from our High Demand area. Please let us know if you would like to request a change in an item’s loan period. 
** These items are not available to external borrowers.

External lending
We consider all requests from other libraries to borrow our material through the interlibrary loan service. Please speak to your local library, who will need to contact us with full details, including a British Library customer code, delivery and contact details. 
Returns 
Please see  our opening hours for times when items can be returned to the Library Desk. We also have a book returns bin in the South Reception (Linbury Gallery), which is opened after 9am every week day (and items are returned for the day before). 
We ask that items with multiple parts are returned together. Items will not be returned from accounts until all parts are received. 
We recommend that you don’t leave items unattended or at Reception, since we may charge for any loss or damage. For the same reason, if you are away from Cardiff and need to return items urgently, we advise sending as securely as possible and packing carefully. Please clearly address items for the ‘Library’ and include your name so that we can check your account.

We no longer charge fines for overdue items, but if you have an overdue item requested by another borrower, you will not be able to borrow or renew until this has been resolved. 


Charges for lost and damaged items may still apply but please talk to a member of the Library team first.

Reciprocal agreements with other libraries
We have reciprocal borrowing agreements with Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of South Wales (USW). Further information for RWCMD students about reciprocal borrowing is available at the Library.
Undergraduates from the institutions above are welcome to join the Library at RWCMD to borrow up to two items (1 week or 3 week loans, with some exclusions) at a time. You will need to email your home institution's library service for approval before applying for membership. We need to see your university ID (which will become your RWCMD Library card too) and will give you an application form to complete. 
We recommend that you visit for the first time between 9:00 and 17:00, Monday-Friday, when more staff will be available to help you. Please see our contact details and location and let us know if you are making a special trip or have any questions. Membership is for one academic year at a time and will terminate on 31 May. 
SCONUL Access
RWCMD is a member of <a href="https://www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SCONUL Access.</a> This is a co-operative scheme between many higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland.  Undergraduate students cannot always borrow but may have access for reference purposes at these libraries. An online application must be completed and this will be checked and approved by your own institution’s library (who will confirm that you are in ‘good standing’ with them). For further details: ask at your library or go to the SCONUL Access website to register.
RWCMD staff and postgraduates should register on the <a href="https://www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SCONUL Access website.</a> Your application will be received by the Library team, who will check that you have no outstanding charges or items before approving it. We aim to do this within two working days. Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns. We advise you to contact any library you are intending to visit in advance to check the process for registering.
We welcome staff, researchers, taught postgraduates and distance learners from participating higher education institutions to join the Library at RWCMD and borrow 5 items (1 week or 3 week loans, with some exclusions) under the SCONUL Access scheme. Please bring a copy of your SCONUL Access and email and be aware that at busy times we may not be able to set up your account immediately. We recommend that you visit for the first time between 9:00 and 17:00, Monday-Friday, when more staff will be available to help you. Please see our contact details and location and let us know if you have any questions.
Undergraduates from other institutions not covered by our reciprocal agreements can use us as general visitors. 
 
General visitors
We welcome researchers and interested visitors who may use us for reference only. It is advisable to contact us before you intend to visit.
 
External membership
Members of the public may be eligible to join the Library as external members on payment of an annual fee of £50 and at the discretion of the Head of Library Services. This will allow a borrowing entitlement of up to 5 items at a time, excluding short loans. Requests should be made in writing (by email or letter) in advance of your visit. Please do get in touch.
 
DAW membership
Individuals or groups wanting to borrow sets of plays should see our pages about the Drama Association of Wales (DAW) collection at RWCMD.

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The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama attracts the best creative talent from across the globe. As Wales’ national conservatoire, we fire imagination and drive innovation, offering training to more than 800 actors, musicians, designers, technicians and arts managers from more than 40 countries. The College presents hundreds of events a year, from orchestral concerts and recitals to drama, opera, jazz, new music and musical theatre, performed by our students and a diverse array of world-class artists from around the globe.

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

To borrow a physical item from the Library, please bring the item along with your RWCMD ID card to the Library issue desk.

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Cabaret at the College

Classical Café

Sound Bar

Amélie: The Musical

Choro Choro Cymru featuring Maria Pia de Vito & Huw Warren

Alexander Boldachev

Actors Showcase 2025

Taro Tant Harp Day

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Music

Jazz

Empowering the next jazz generation in Wales: RWCMD launches National Youth Jazz Wales partnership

RWCMD

Our response to the proposed closure of Cardiff University's School of Music

Stage Management

Drama

Opera

Awards of a lifetime offered to six rising Welsh stars at Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025

What's On

RWCMD's Spring season of inspirational performances

Dame Shirley Bassey is the new President of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama

Vocal

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama launches £15,000 Sir Bryn Terfel Song Prize

Strings

Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama unveils innovative residency for two award-winning string quartets  

An autumnal feast of music and theatre

Outcome of Young RWCMD consultation

‘Artistically ground-breaking and transformative for Wales:’ RWCMD announces Honorary Fellows 2024

Overview

A guide to using the library

Explore section

Overview

Our collections

Library opening times and contact

Support and services