Research Libraries UK (RLUK)
ActiveDescription
Research Libraries UK (RLUK) is a consortium of research libraries in the UK and Ireland. It was founded in 1983 by seven university libraries (Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester and Oxford) and initially operated under the name CURL (Consortium of Research Libraries). RLUK convenes its 39 members around the issues that affect them, represents their collective voice, supports them as they face shared challenges and advocates on their behalf. Its Special Collections and Heritage Network is a professional peer network for members leading cultural heritage activities within member libraries, including those working with archives, rare books, art and object collections, museums, galleries and conservation. Since 2018 RLUK and The National Archives have run a Professional Fellowship Scheme to enable colleagues to develop their research skills, knowledge and experience, and RLUK reports that a third Research Catalyst Cohort for academic libraries, delivered with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Association of Research Managers and Administrators, ran from September 2025 to June 2026.
Currently active
Yes
Offers funding
Yes, this infrastructure provides funding in the following categories:
Founding year
1983
Contact details
London
WC1E 7HU
On the map
Categorisation
Type
Tags
Partner Infrastructures
Research is central to the British Library's role as the national library of the United Kingdom. It helps the British Library to share their collections and intellectual heritage with people across th… read more about British Library
London
The National Archives collect and secure the future of the government record, from Shakespeare’s will to tweets from Downing Street, to preserve it for generations to come, making it as accessib… read more about The National Archives
Richmond
The National Library of Wales (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru)
The National Library of Wales (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru) is the national library of Wales, based in Aberystwyth. Opened in 1907, it is a body incorporated by Royal Charter, a registered charity, a… read more about The National Library of Wales (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru)
Aberystwyth
The National Library of Scotland is Scotland's national legal deposit library, established by Act of Parliament in 1925 as the successor to the Advocates Library, and one of six legal deposit librarie… read more about National Library of Scotland
Edinburgh
Partner Universities
Cardiff University
Durham University
Imperial College London
King's College London (KCL)
Lancaster University
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Newcastle University
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen's University Belfast
Royal Holloway, University of London
School of Oriental and African Studies
University College London (UCL)
University of Aberdeen
University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Cambridge
University of East Anglia
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
University of Leeds
University of Leicester
University of Liverpool
University of London
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
University of Reading
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University of St Andrews
University of Sussex
University of Warwick, Coventry
University of York
Additional Partnerships
Wellcome Collection; Jisc; Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA); Trinity College Dublin
Last modified:
2026-09-30 11:40:30