Welcome to the John Crerar Library. We want to take this opportunity to remind you of a few items regarding access to the John Crerar Library. This Library is a private library, currently under the charge of the University of Chicago. As such, it is open for use by visitors for the purpose of research in the sciences and medicine and for consultation of material not available elsewhere in Chicago. Visitors requesting admittance must complete the Visitors Access Form (VAF) and sign-in at the Circulation counter by presenting a valid photo identification, such as a State ID or Driver's License. Visitors are required to abide by the Crerar Library usage policies while in the Library. If you have any question regarding admittance to the Library, contact us at (773) 702.7409.
If you wish to consult government documents, please see the Government Documents Access web page. Rare Crerar books are in the Department of Special Collections, for access please consult the Special Collections Access page.
Please note that the information below applies to Crerar Library only. For access to other University of Chicago Libraries besides Crerar, please see Basic Information: General Public Library Access. Generally most University libraries are not open to the public.
Visitor's Usage Policies
- The John Crerar Library facilities and resources are exclusively for research and academic endeavors.
- Access is limited to the John Crerar Library during regular visitor's hours (9.00am-5.00pm with the last entrances being granted at 4.30pm, Monday through Saturday).
- By entering the Library, you agree to abide by these policies. These policies should be reviewed upon entering the Library. All visitors are expected to use the Library for research or academic endeavors and should not engage in any disruptive, inappropriate or illicit activities.
- By entering the library, you agree to abide by the Library computer use policies. These policies include refraining from video games, chat rooms, gambling, pornographic and excessively violent materials or any digital resources considered to be illegal in the United States of America.
- If you leave the building for any portion of time, you will be expected to check-in at the Circulation Counter again.
- A responsible adult must accompany library patrons under the age of 16 at all times.
- Entrance to the Library does not, in any way, grant borrowing privileges.
Failure to comply with any of the above policies is grounds for revocation of usage privileges and removal from the Library.
Days/Hours of Operation
Monday - Saturday: 9am-5pm (entrance will not be granted after
4.30pm)
Sunday: Closed to visitors
In addition to Sundays, the John Crerar Library will be closed on the following holidays:
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day + University of Chicago Thanksgiving Observance (Friday following Thanksgiving)
- Christmas Day + University of Chicago Christmas Holiday Observance (usually December 24th or 26th)
- University of Chicago New Year's Day Observance (usually December 31st, January 1st or 2nd)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Memorial Day
- 4th of July + University of Chicago 4th of July Observance
- *Any other holidays as designated by the University of Chicago
Please consult the guide to hours and days of operation.
Contact Information
Reference questions should be directed to:
Head of Reference: Barbara Kern (bkern@uchicago.edu) or the Reference Desk (773.702.7715).
General inquiries concerning admittance policies should be directed to:
- Head of Access Services: Urszula Kerkhoven (ker9@uchicago.edu or 773.702.83)
- Evening/Weekend Supervisor: Robert Kinney (rkinney@uchicago.edu or 773.834.2092)
- Public Services Assistant: Anna Bartoszek (ahasior@uchicago.edu or 773.834.0809)
INFOPASS Users
The John Crerar Library, like other University of Chicago libraries, is a member of the INFOPASS system (more information...scroll down). However, you do not need an INFOPASS to use Crerar as long as you come with a photo ID during public hours.
Extended Privileges for Scholarly Research
- Unaffiliated persons who are engaged in scholarly work may also apply for extended privileges by forwarding a written statement (via US Mail or email) of their research needs to the Privileges Office.
- Researchers must present a current photo ID upon arrival.
See the Interlibrary Loan pages for information on ILL services to non-University of Chicago users. View your Borrower Information (for patrons with current library privileges)
| Due Dates | Privileges Office Contacts and Hours | Directions to Crerar Library |