NU Alumni Privileges
Alumni with a Northwestern University Degree
Alumni holding a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate degree from Northwestern University may enter the library at any time it is open by presenting an Alumni Association Card.
To obtain an Alumni Borrower’s Card, valid for one year, visit the Library Privileges office on the first floor of the Main Library, where you will need to present:
- Alumni Association Card (or the Library Privileges office can obtain degree verification directly from the Alumni Office);
- one piece of ID with a Chicago metropolitan area address; and
- $25 (cash, check, or MC/VISA/AMEX) for one year of borrowing privileges.
Individuals Who Attended Northwestern University
Individuals who have attended Northwestern University and completed at least one year (12 units) of study may enter the library during all open hours by presenting an Alumni Association Card.
To obtain a Borrower’s Card, valid for three months, visit the Library Privileges office on the first floor of the Main Library, where you will need to show:
- Alumni Association Card (Library Privileges cannot verify non-degree holding students without this card);
- one piece of ID with a current Chicago metropolitan area address; and
- $50.00 (cash, check, or MC/VISA/AMEX) for 3 months of borrowing privileges.
Alumni Association Cards do not confer borrowing privileges, but do allow access to the library at all open hours, including those normally restricted to the current NU community. Alumni Association Cards are issued from the John Evans Alumni Center. Please contact the center directly for more details.
Borrower's Cards entitle Alumni to borrow books from the Main Library and the Science and Engineering Library on the Evanston Campus, and the Schaffner Library on the Chicago Campus. The standard loan period is 28 days, with option to renew 3 times remotely, though any book may be recalled after 10 days if another user requests it. Any fines accrued must be paid before a Borrower's Card can be renewed. Only the person who owns a Borrower's Card may use the card. Only patrons living in the Chicago Area may apply for a Borrower's Card.
A Note about Remote Access to Online Databases
Borrower's cards do not grant patrons access to NU Library's online databases, which require the use of a NetID. NUIT assigns NetIDs only to current NU students, faculty, and staff members. Any library guest can request a free temporary NetID (or "day pass") for use on the premises (see the Guest NetIDs page for where to request one), but we are unable to provide permanent or remote access to online resources.
