Visit us
Who can visit?
If you don’t have a Stanford ID or aren’t a student, faculty, or staff member, you can still access many of our world-class research resources as a visiting researcher. While our libraries focus on supporting the Stanford community, we provide access options for researchers working beyond Stanford.
Day pass for research
Limited to seven days per year (or 14 days for Stanford alumni). Register at one of the locations below with an original (physical), valid government-issued photo identification (ID), such as drivers license, passport, or state ID.
Minors (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian at all times. The legal guardian must have an acceptable government-issued ID.
Visitor essentials
Access
- Visitor access, including the use of open study areas, is provided solely for the purpose of using library materials or collections.
- Open study spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Lockers, group study rooms, study carrels, and after-hours study spaces are for Stanford students only; visitors are not permitted to use them.
- Licensed electronic resources are available on public computers only. Access from personal devices or off-campus is not available to visitors because a SUNet ID is required.
Getting to our libraries
- Review parking options for visitors.
- Find accessibility information for each library location.
Computing and connectivity
- Connect to visitor Wi-Fi anywhere on campus and all libraries.
- Access public computers provided in all libraries.
Printing and copying
- Print and copy using Cardinal Print, available for guests and visitors.
Lastly, please review our library policies before your visit.
Access for visiting researchers
As a graduate student, faculty, or academic staff at University of California, you are eligible for an access + borrowing card.
Berkeley
Free | Get a card
Other UC campuses
$10 | Contact home institution’s library for information about eligibility and instructions before visiting Stanford.
Loan periods
- Graduate students - due at the end of the quarter
- Faculty/Academic Staff - due at the end of Spring quarter (academic year)
Notes
- Undergraduate students and non-academic staff are not eligible.
Stanford University Libraries participates in BorrowDirect, a reciprocal borrowing program with Ivy Plus Libraries. As a student, faculty, or staff member at an Ivy Plus school, you are eligible for an access + borrowing card.
Cards: $10 and renewals are free.
As a staff member (50-100% full-time equivalent) and fellow from Stanford Hospital, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, you are eligible for an access + borrowing card. Cards are $10 and renewals are free. Complete the online application below.
As a Graduate Medical Education (GME) staff and fellows, your ID card provides access to the libraries. To activate your borrowing privileges, complete the online application below.
A $25 fee is charged for replacement cards.
Stanford alumni can visit the Stanford University Libraries fourteen days a year for free. An original, physical, valid government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID) is required to visit. After fourteen days, alumni may obtain a library card for further access and/or borrowing at special reduced rates. Alumni can access their Stanford Alumni Association (SAA) digital card online. Learn more about this process by visiting the Stanford alumni website.
| Library access only | Access and borrowing |
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| Library access only | Access and Borrowing |
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| Stanford retirees are eligible for a University ID, available from the ID Card Office. This ID card provides access to the libraries. | $200 / year |
Stanford emeriti are eligible for an Emeriti ID, available from the ID Card Office. This ID card provides access to the libraries and borrowing privileges. Emeriti also retain their full SUNet ID, including access to certain library electronic resources.
If you are hosted by a Stanford University department but do not meet the visiting scholar criteria, you are eligible for an access + borrowing card. Cards are free and valid for 90 days. A $25 fee is charged for replacement cards.
Visiting scholars receive a Stanford ID card, which provides access to the libraries and borrowing privileges, and a SUNet ID, which includes access to library electronic resources.
Continuing Studies instructors, hired by Stanford Continuing Studies, are issued an ID card by the ID Card Office. Cards become active four weeks before a class begins for new instructors and two weeks before the class begins for returning instructors. Privileges include access to the libraries and borrowing. Cards are deactivated ten days after the class ends.
Continuing Studies students do not have special privileges to access the libraries and qualify only for general public visitor access.
Courtesy affiliates are eligible for a Courtesy ID, available from the ID Card Office. This ID card provides access to the libraries. To activate your borrowing privileges, complete the online application below or email sul-privileges@stanford.edu.
| Library access Only | Access and borrowing |
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Tours
Stanford ID holders may request a library tour by contacting the Reference Desk at library-reference@stanford.edu or calling (650) 725-1064. Please provide your preferred dates and times, the library location you’d like to visit, and the number of attendees.
Public tour groups (of any size) or other large groups are not permitted in Stanford University Libraries buildings. No exceptions will be granted.
Questions about visitor privileges?
For any questions or concerns, please email sul-privileges@stanford.edu or call (650) 723-1492.