The University of Chicago Library
Search
for in
for in
for
Regenstein Access and Privileges | The Chicago/Northwestern Library Agreement

The Chicago/Northwestern Library agreement makes the resources of the libraries at Chicago and the participating libraries at Northwestern available to faculty, students and benefits-eligible staff from both institutions.

Eligibility

Faculty, benefits-eligible staff and registered students with current Library Privileges at Chicago are eligible to apply for this privilege which entitles the holder to access and borrowing privileges at all libraries on Northwestern's Evanston campus (including the United Library of the Garrett and Seabury Theological Seminaries) and the Schaffner Library on the Northwestern Chicago campus. The agreement does not include the Northwestern Law and Medical Libraries.

The access and borrowing arrangements do not apply to proxies (authorized borrowers); alumni; retired faculty (except emeritus faculty); visiting scholars; children and/or spouses or domestic partners of faculty, staff or students; Library Society members; Crerar corporate members; Lab School students or fee borrowers.

How To Apply

There are three ways to apply for a Northwestern card:
  1. You may visit the Privileges Office at Northwestern's Main Library (1970 Sheridan Road -- note the library sits back from Sheridan Road near the intersection of Foster St. and Sheridan Rd.) between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Monday -- Friday and complete the necessary form. Staff there will verify your status and issue you a card.
  2. You may visit the Privileges Offices in the Regenstein Library and complete an application for a Northwestern borrower's card. The form will be forwarded to Northwestern's Privileges Office and the library card will be available to be picked up from Chicago's Privileges Office approximately seven days after the initial application.
  3. You may complete the online application. The form will be forwarded to the Privileges Office at Northwestern. The library card will be available to be picked up from Chicago's Privileges Office approximately seven days after the inital form request, or the library card will be mailed to you, depending on your preference.

The Northwestern card expires Sept. 30. It must be renewed annually.

Using Northwestern's Libraries

To obtain information about Northwestern's holdings, please click here. Information about Northwestern's holdings can also be obtained by consulting with Reference staff at any of the University of Chicago libraries.

If you are going to make a trip to Northwestern to borrow material, check their catalog to insure availability and/or call the Northwestern General Information Center. Hours of the libraries vary; click here or call ahead to confirm the availability of the library and the collection that you need.

Services Available

Reciprocal services include not only borrowing but also reference and guidance using the collections and access to photocopy services. The service does not include access to licensed electronic resources or interlibrary loan.

Borrowing Privileges and Renewals

Chicago faculty and graduate students may borrow most Northwestern stacks books for 12 weeks from the date of checkout; the loan period for material from the Transportation Library is 4 weeks from the date of checkout. One renewal is allowed before the material must be brought in for checkout or return.

Chicago staff and undergraduates may borrow most Northwestern stacks books for 4 weeks from the date of checkout; the loan period for material from the Transportation Library is 2 weeks from the date of checkout. Three renewals are allowed before the material must be brought in for checkout or return.

Books may be recalled at any time; the borrower is guaranteed a minimum two week loan period.

Non-circulating collections include the art collection, government documents, the core collection, and bound periodicals.

Renewals may be made in person at Northwestern by presenting the book, date due slip and your borrower ID; or using Northwestern's My Account.

Overdues and Fines

Chicago users who hold overdue regular, reserve or recalled Northwestern library material will have a block placed against their Chicago borrowing privileges until such time as the delinquent material is returned. Replacement fees will be charged for material held beyond its due date. Reciprocal borrowing privileges may be revoked at the discretion of the Library.

Fines at Northwestern are $0.10/day per item for any overdue regular loan. For overdue reserve books, the charge is $1 per hour for books on 2 hour reserve, and $1.50 per day for books on 3 day reserve. For overdue recall material, the charge is $1/day.

If overdue books are not returned, they will be declared lost and the patron will be billed for replacement. Northwestern, like Chicago, charges standard flat replacement fees for its books. Currently, the fees are:

Patrons who have lost books from any Northwestern library will also be charged a $25.00 billing and processing fee, in addition to the replacement fee listed above. Any accumulated overdue fines will also be added to the replacement cost of the lost book.

Returning Books

Books borrowed from Northwestern may be returned to any of the University of Chicago libraries. The material will not be "checked in" until it reaches Northwestern. Accordingly, please calculate the "travel" time (approximately 7 calendar days) to avoid accruing fines while the material is in transit.

Phone Numbers

Northwestern:

Chicago:

Questions? | ID & Privileges Office Contacts and Hours | Current Users: View your Account Information

 

 

The University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th Street Chicago Illinois 60637
Phone Numbers

Page last generated on: 1 March 2007 at 5:17 PM CST

© The University of Chicago Library