Membership
Join us as a Member and you will become part of a unique community of readers and writers, united in supporting Exeter’s oldest library in its original setting and preserving 7 Cathedral Close for public education and enjoyment.
We offer a beautiful, tranquil reading, writing and meeting space right in the centre of Exeter, with magnificent early 19th century galleried libraries for research and relaxation. Here are some more benefits of membership:
- A quiet and airy study space with spectacular views of the Cathedral*;
- Fibre Wi-Fi throughout the building;
- Daily and weekend newspapers and a range of weekly and monthly journals and magazines;
- Access to a wide range of databases, including Ancestry and The British Newspaper Archive;
- Self-service drinks and snacks available daily in the refreshment room;
- Weekly lunch service on Wednesdays in the Courtenay Room – 12-2pm*;
- Access to a unique reference library, comprising over thirty thousand books and periodicals, and collections of maps, ephemera, prints and drawings, five days per week;
- Ability to borrow up to six books or DVDs from our contemporary collection;
- Opportunity to book spaces for study and research with specialist support from the library team;
- An exciting programme of events and lectures for members and their guests;
- Special interest groups for members, including a film club, book group, gardening and research groups;
- Monthly Saturday morning Bookworms Club for Junior Members and their adults;
- On-line subscription to the London Library and use of the digital microfilm reader;
- Specialist training and volunteering opportunities.
*areas currently under construction
And coming soon, as part of The Next Chapter Project (completing December 2024):
- The Blue Room: a stunning restored Georgian reading room on the first floor, which will also host events, lectures and workshops, as well as being available to hire;
- A new kitchenette on the first floor, for refreshments and catered events in the Blue Room;
- Two new reading and meeting spaces on the ground floor, also bookable for meetings and groups;
- A new glass garden room, overlooking the rear courtyard – a tranquil place to enjoy the outdoors /indoors;
- New lavatories and lift, making the building fully accessible;
- New environmentally sustainable heating and lighting systems;
- New programme of events and activities, celebrating the new spaces and inviting new ways to experience the DEI and its collections;
- The welcome return of lunches in the Courtenay Room.
We have a number of different membership options (see below), including options for children, young people, and those on a lower income. It is also possible to pay for most memberships in instalments, which spreads the cost of the fees over a whole year.
If you’re not sure which membership option is right for you, or would like to discuss any aspect of becoming a Member, please pop in for a chat or contact our Membership Officer, Carrie, on [email protected].
Are you curious about DEI membership, but want to find out a bit more before committing…? We now offer Trial Memberships! Why not sign up for a day- or week-long membership to see if what we have to offer meets your needs and inspires you? Sign up to become a full member within a month of your trial membership and we will refund you its cost.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Individual membership* | £120, or £10 per month x 12 instalments via GoCardless |
Joint membership* (two people living at the same address) | £210, or £17.50 per month x 12 instalments via GoCardless |
Additional family member | £90 |
Youth membership (18-25s) | £60, or £5 per month x 12 instalments via GoCardless |
Junior membership (under 18s) | £12 |
Lower Income membership (for those in receipt of Universal Credit) | £60, or £5 per month x 12 instalments via GoCardless |
University of Exeter membership* (for full-time or part-time students and serving members of the academic staff) | Free (currently funded by a partnership agreement) |
Temporary membership (3 months) | £60 |
Non-member Research Pass – 1 day | £10 |
Non-member Research Pass – 1 week | £25 |
NEW Trial membership – 1 day | £10 (refunded if you sign up to become a full member within a month) |
NEW Trial membership – 1 week | £25 (refunded if you sign up to become a full member within a month) |
*These memberships are subject to a one-off £15 joining fee.
Membership can be purchased online here. Alternatively, a hard copy of the application form is available at our front desk, where you can also pay by card, cheque or cash. Pop in and our staff and volunteers will be pleased to help you.