Library welcomes visitors back to Regenstein, Mansueto, Crerar, and Eckhart beginning Nov. 1

The University of Chicago Library is pleased to announce that it will reopen Regenstein, Mansueto, Crerar, and Eckhart libraries to visitors—including alumni, partners of UChicago users, researchers from affiliated institutions, and visiting researchers and members of the public—beginning Nov. 1. Pre-pandemic borrowing services for various groups will also resume on that date.

In order to provide broad and safe access, all visitors will be asked to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recent COVID-19 test (as detailed below), consistent with University policies and protocols.

Note that these procedures do not apply to University of Chicago faculty, students, and staff, who are following separate protocols outlined by the University.

How to establish access

Visitors are strongly encouraged to reserve a time to meet with ID & Privileges staff in order to reduce the time required to provide access. However, reservations are not required.

ID & Privileges Office hours can be found online.

Important requirements

All visitors must provide upon arrival:

• A valid, government-issued photo ID
• Verbal confirmation of not having experienced any COVID-19 symptoms during the days leading up to and including the period of visit
• One of the following:
  • Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (digital pictures, verification apps, and copies are acceptable) using a vaccine authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). Full vaccination is reached two weeks after a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a one-dose vaccine.
  • A recent negative COVID-19 test (within the last 72 hours)
  • A positive COVID-19 test dated 14-90 days prior to visit with verbal affirmation that you are not experiencing any symptoms

Documents must be in or translated to English. Responsibility rests on visitors to provide convincing evidence of meeting these requirements to the ID & Privileges Office Staff.

Please note: ID & Privileges Office staff will inspect the documents when presented but will not log or save any personal medical information or images of documents.

Length of access

Proof of full vaccination is required to have ongoing access using a Campus Card. All other visitors will need to come to the ID & Privileges Office at the start of each visit to present their test results and receive a pass for the day.

Information about specific Library locations

The above applies to all Library locations open to the public. See below for information about policies specific to particular locations.

Crerar

Visitor passes can be issued by Crerar staff for the specific use of the Crerar Library and or an extended period of time based upon proof of vaccination.

Visitor passes issued based on proof of a COVID-19 test will be issued for the day only.

D’Angelo Law

The D’Angelo Law Library is not open to visitors; access is restricted to current University of Chicago Law School students, faculty, and staff only.

Eckhart

Visitors who wish to visit Eckhart Library must be issued a Visitor Pass or Campus Card from the ID & Privileges Office in Regenstein. Anyone without University issued card access to Eckhart Hall should come to the front door of the building on the quad and call 773-702-8778 to be let in.

Social Work

The Social Work Library is not open to visitors; access is restricted to current Crown Family School students, faculty, and staff only.

Regenstein: Special Collections

The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center is currently open by appointment only. On the day of your appointment, please leave time to visit the Regenstein ID & Privileges Office to be issued a Visitor Pass. Beginning November 1, visiting researchers are welcome to book an appointment to consult collections in person. Appointments will be available in morning or afternoon blocks that will open up two weeks in advance on a rolling basis throughout the academic year.  Researchers who need to make travel plans more than two weeks in advance can contact SCRC staff about possible reservations.

Research assistance

Visitors who anticipate needing help using our library offerings during their visit are encouraged to contact our Ask a Librarian service in advance.

Questions?

Please contact us at ipo@uchicago.edu or 773-702-3344. Full policy details are available online.