Visitor access
Who can visit?
If you don’t have a Stanford ID but need access to our collections for research, you may still be able to use our libraries. While our libraries focus on supporting the Stanford community, we offer several access options for visiting researchers to use our world-class resources.
Day pass
Day passes may be used for research or to attend a public event. They are limited to seven days per year (or 14 days for Stanford alumni). To obtain a day pass, register in person at one of the locations listed below with an original (physical), valid government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID).
Minors (under 18) must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian at all times. The legal guardian must present acceptable government-issued identification.
Card types and privileges
Access
- Access cards may be used for research or to attend a public event.
- Collections and materials may be used on-site only.
- Open study areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Group study rooms, study carrels, and lockers are reserved for Stanford students only.
- After-hours study spaces are available to Stanford ID card holders only.
- Licensed electronic resources may be accessed on designated public computers within the libraries. Access from personal devices or off campus requires a SUNet ID.
Access and borrowing
- Access and borrowing card holders receive the same access privileges as access card holders, plus the ability to borrow materials.
- Most loan periods are 28 days, with a limit of 25 items, though specifics vary by affiliation.
- Borrowing privileges include placing holds and renewals on items.
- Interlibrary loan services are not included.
- Charges apply for some users. See How to request library privileges below for more information.
After your Stanford affiliation changes
Alumni
Stanford alumni may visit our libraries with a Day pass for up to 14 days per year at no cost. After that, a library card may be purchased for continued access or borrowing at discounted alumni rates.
Emeriti
Stanford emeriti may obtain an Emeriti card from ID Card Services, which provides library access and borrowing privileges.
Retirees
Stanford retirees may obtain a Faculty/Staff Retiree Card from ID Card Services for access to library buildings. Borrowing requires a separate card, available for purchase at a discounted rate.
How to request library privileges
To request access and/or borrowing privileges, review the requirements listed under your affiliation or partnership. Card types and included privileges are summarized above.
Replacement Stanford University Library cards cost $25.
Graduate students, faculty, and academic staff at University of California (UC) are eligible for an access and borrowing card. Undergraduate students and non-academic staff are not eligible.
Berkeley
Free | Get a Berkeley library card
Other UC campuses
$10 | Contact home institution’s library for more information 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)
Stanford University Libraries participates in BorrowDirect, a reciprocal borrowing program with Ivy Plus Libraries. Student, faculty, and staff members at an Ivy Plus school are eligible for an access and borrowing card.
$10 | Free renewals | Get a Ivy Plus library card
Hospital staff (50-100% FTE) and fellows
Staff and fellows from Stanford Hospital, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital are eligible for an access and borrowing card.
$10 | Free renewals | Get a hospital library card
Graduate Medical Education (GME) staff and fellows
Your GME ID already provides library access. To borrow materials, you must activate borrowing privileges.
Short-term scholars hosted by a Stanford department — who do not qualify as visiting scholars — are eligible for an access and borrowing card.
Free | Valid for 90 days | Get a scholar library card
Visiting scholars receive a University ID card that provides library access and borrowing privileges, as well as a SUNet ID that allows access to certain licensed electronic resources.
Instructors hired by Stanford Continuing Studies are issued a University ID card that includes library access and borrowing privileges. Cards activate four weeks before a class for new instructors, two weeks before for returning instructors, and deactivate ten days after the class ends.
Continuing Studies students do not receive library privileges, but may be eligible for access as independent researchers.
Courtesy affiliates may obtain a Courtesy and Recreation ID from ID Card Services for library access. To borrow materials, you must activate borrowing privileges.
Access
- $450/year
- $150/3 months
- $75/1 month
- $35/2 weeks
Access and borrowing
- $1000/year
- $500/5 months
- $325/3 months
Visitor essentials
Please review our library policies before your visit.
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.
Libraries included
Most Stanford University Libraries are open to visiting researchers. However, coordinate libraries — including the Law Library, Lane Medical Library, Hoover Library, and the Graduate School of Business Library — have their own access policies.
Tours
Stanford ID holders may request a library tour by contacting the Reference Desk at library-reference@stanford.edu or (650) 725-1064. Please include preferred dates, times, location, and number of attendees.
Public tour groups or other large groups are not permitted in Stanford University Libraries buildings. Let’s add just enough to make it 350 plus.
Questions about visitor privileges?
For any questions or concerns, please email sul-privileges@stanford.edu or call (650) 723-1492.