UChicago Faculty, Students, & Staff

The University of Chicago Library offers faculty, academics, students, and staff access to all campus libraries, on and off campus access to electronic resources, and borrowing privileges.

For most users affiliated with the University of Chicago, your UChicago Card is your library card.

Library privileges for new and current faculty, academics, students, and benefits eligible staff are created and updated automatically. If you believe your privileges have expired in error, please contact the ID & Privileges Office.

Access Restricted at D'Angelo Law and Social Work Libraries

Access to D'Angelo Law Library is restricted to current Law School students, faculty, and staff. All other users may request access to the D'Angelo Law Library collection by pre-arranged appointment only. Other UChicago faculty, students, and staff may also request D'Angelo Law materials via Paging & Pickup for pickup at other locations.

The Social Work Library is open only to current Crown School faculty, students, and staff. Other UChicago faculty, students, and staff may request Social Work materials via Paging & Pickup at other locations.

Access to Electronic Resources

Current faculty, academics, registered students, and benefits eligible staff have both on-campus and off-campus access to online resources.


Faculty & Academics

Library privileges for faculty and academic employees are created automatically. The statuses of faculty and academics are determined by the Provost. If you are unsure of your official status or designation, please contact your departmental administrator.

Annual borrowing privileges

The following types of faculty and academics are eligible for annual borrowing privileges with unlimited online renewals:

  • Tenured, Emeritus, Tenure-Track, and non-Tenure Track Faculty
  • Clinical Faculty
  • Research Associates (with rank)
  • Senior Research Associates
  • Research and Senior Scientists
  • Librarians
  • Senior Lecturers

Proxy Borrowers

Faculty and academics with annual borrowing privileges may request to establish another person as a proxy borrower, who may borrow and request Library items on behalf of the faculty member, with the same loan periods and privileges that said faculty would have in person.

To request a proxy borrower or renew an existing proxy borrower account, use the Proxy Borrower Request form.

Retired Faculty

Retired faculty should visit the ID & Privileges Office to establish annual borrowing privileges.

Spouses, Partners, and Dependents of Faculty and Academics

Spouses, civil union partners, and dependents of faculty and academics with annual borrowing privileges are eligible for quarterly borrowing at no charge. Dependents must be in at least in Grade 10.

To establish borrowing, faculty and academics must accompany their spouse, civil union partner, or dependent to the ID & Privileges Office. Faculty and academic library accounts must be in good standing.

Once a borrowing card has been issued, it must be renewed annually by visiting the ID & Privileges Office. Faculty and academics do not need to accompany their family members to renew borrowing.

Academics with quarterly borrowing privileges

The following types of academics are eligible for quarterly borrowing privileges:

  • Research Associates
  • Adjunct Faculty
  • MBL Associated Researchers (Marine Biological Laboratory)
  • Fellows
  • Lecturers
  • Departmental Associates
  • Visiting Faculty and Scholars
  • Post-Docs

Students

Quarterly borrowing privileges for students registered in a degree program are created and updated automatically. Other students should consult the categories below.

Incoming Students

Incoming students should see UChicago Card Pickup for more details and to schedule an appointment.

Borrowing privileges are not available until a UChicago Card is issued.

Unregistered Students and Students on a Leave of Absence

Unregistered students and students on a leave of absence should visit the ID & Privileges Office to establish quarterly borrowing privileges. Students on administrative leave will first need to obtain authorization from the Dean of Students' Office before contacting the ID & Privileges Office.

Quarterly borrowing privileges do not include remote access to electronic resources, Interlibrary Loan, or Scan & Deliver services.

Prospective Students

Prospective students will be issued a visitor pass at the Regenstein entry desk.

UChicago Laboratory Schools Students

See UChicago Laboratory Schools Students for more information.

UChicago Charter School Students

See UChicago Charter School Students for more information.


Staff

Quarterly borrowing privileges for benefits eligible staff are created automatically. Other staff should consult the categories below.

UChicago Medical Center Staff (Benefits Eligible)

UChicago Medical Center staff who receive a UChicago Medical Center badge rather than a UChicago Card must receive a Campus Card from the ID & Privileges Office before using Library services and spaces.

UChicago Medical Center staff are eligible for quarterly borrowing privileges.

Retired Staff

Retired staff should visit the ID & Privileges Office to establish quarterly borrowing privileges.

Temporary Staff

Temporary staff should visit the ID & Privileges Office to establish quarterly borrowing privileges.

Access for Children under the Age of 18

Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or teacher when in Library buildings, in conformance with the University's policies regarding minors on campus.

Children will be issued their own visitor pass. Children under the age of 2 do not need to be issued a visitor pass.

Some minors in authorized University programs, classes, or groups are exempted by this policy.

Access to Libraries at Other Institutions

Current faculty, academics, students, and benefits-eligible staff may be eligible for access or borrowing privileges for libraries at other institutions. Note that privileges may vary based on library, so please contact the library you wish to visit to confirm what privileges you may establish at another institution.

Keeping Contact Information Current

All library users are responsible for keeping their personal contact information updated.

Login to My Library Account and choose Profile to view your current contact information.

For instructions on updating your contact information, including your preferred first name, see Catalog Help - Profile.

Lost or Stolen Cards

If your UChicago Card or Library Card is lost or stolen, please follow the Lost/Stolen Card Procedure.

To replace a lost or stolen card, visit the ID & Privileges Office.

Services for Users with Disabilities

See Services for Users with Disabilities if you need assistance in accessing our collections.

Policies While Visiting the Library

We expect all users to abide by all Library policies, including those listed in Maintaining a Scholarly Environment.

The University of Chicago Library reserves the right to bar anyone from any or all parts of its premises. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior or any other violations of Library policies may result in suspension of visitor access.

The Library may limit visitor access during especially busy periods.