Northwestern Borrowers
Northwestern University faculty, staff and current students are eligible to receive borrowing privileges at all libraries on the University of Chicago, Loyola University and University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) campuses, as well as through the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Use the tabs below to learn about privilege details and how to obtain a borrower's card at each institution.
Eligibility:
- While this agreement includes on-site access to selected licensed databases via guest/public work stations at Loyola University and UIC, it does not include remote/proxy access to their databases.
- The access and borrowing arrangements do not apply to others who may have Northwestern borrowing privileges, such as research assistants, alumni, retired faculty (except emeritus faculty), visiting scholars, children and/or domestic partners of faculty, staff or students.
The Loyola Libraries' contact information, operating hours and catalog can be found online. Visit the Loyola University Libraries website.
Privilege details
- Loan period: 4-week loan period, with a 4-day grace period. Items can be renewed as often as needed, as long as they are not overdue or recalled, via Loyola's Catalog or in person at the Loyola libraries.
- Returns: Return books directly to Loyola libraries or to the Interlibrary Loan desk or the Circulation desk at any Northwestern library. Note that items returned to Northwestern will not be checked in until they reach the owning library, so plan accordingly by assuming a 7-day transit time.
- Fines, fees and penalties: After the 4-day grace period, fines of 25 cents per day are applied with a maximum fine of $5. If an item becomes 35 days overdue, a $50 replacement charge and $15 processing fee are applied and the patron record is blocked from further transactions. Northwestern borrowing privileges are also blocked until the material is returned.
Obtain a borrower's card
For borrowing privileges, bring your WildCARD to the circulation desk at Loyola's Cudahy Library during weekday operating hours. You will be asked to fill out paperwork and staff will call the NU Library Privileges Office to verify your status. A card will be issued on the spot.
Borrowing is valid for a maximum of one year, with an expiration date of May 31st. Cards may be renewed annually upon verification of current Northwestern status.
Questions?
Contact Loyola University Circulation Desk at 773-508-2632.
The University of Chicago Library's contact information, operating hours and catalog can be found online. Visit the University of Chicago Library website.
Privilege details
- Loan period: 12-week loan period, subject to recall with a guaranteed loan period of one week. Items can be renewed via My Account (up to three times) or in person at the University of Chicago Library.
- Returns: Return books directly to University of Chicago or to the Interlibrary Loan desk or the Circulation desk at any Northwestern library. Note that items returned to Northwestern will not be checked in until they reach the owning library, so plan accordingly by assuming a 7-day transit time.
- Fines, fees and penalties: Overdue fines accrue at a rate of $3 per day for overdue recalled materials and $1 per hour for overdue reserve materials. A $100 to $150 replacement fee is charged for lost books.
Obtain a borrower's card
Obtain a card immediately or have a card sent to Northwestern's University Library:
- To receive a card immediately, bring your WildCARD to the ID and Privileges office at the University of Chicago's Regenstein Library. You will be asked to fill out paperwork and staff will call the NU Library Privileges Office to verify your status.
- To have your card sent, complete the online Privileges Request Form. The form will be sent to the University of Chicago, and the your borrower's card will be sent to the University Library in approximately 5 working days.
Borrowing is valid for a maximum of one year, with an expiration date of October 31st. Cards may be renewed annually upon verification of current Northwestern status and as long as your library accounts at both institutions are in good standing.
Questions?
Contact the University of Chicago ID and Privileges Office at 773-702-8782 or 773-702-3344.
The UIC's Richard J. Daley Library's contact information, operating hours and catalog can be found online. Visit the UIC Library website.
Privilege details
- Loan period: 4-week loan period, with no overdue fines for regularly circulating materials. Items can be renewed up to 10 times via My Account or in person at the UIC libraries.
- Returns: Return books directly to UIC libraries or to the Interlibrary Loan desk or the Circulation desk at any Northwestern library. Note that items returned to Northwestern will not be checked in until they reach the owning library, so plan accordingly by assuming a 7-day transit time.
- Fines, fees and penalties: After 40 days overdue, a replacement charge and a non-refundable processing fee of $25.00 are applied. Borrowers who do not return overdue or recalled UIC books will have their reciprocal privileges and Northwestern borrowing privileges blocked until the material is returned.
Obtain a borrower's card
For borrowing privileges, bring your WildCARD to the circulation desk at the Daley Library at UIC. You will be asked to fill out paperwork and staff will call the NU Library Privileges Office to verify your status. The NU WildCARD itself will act as the UIC library borrowing card.
Borrowing is valid for a maximum of one year, with an expiration date of May 31st. Cards may be renewed annually upon verification of current Northwestern status.
Questions?
Contact the UIC circulation desk at 312-996-2724.
Big Ten Academic Alliance
The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) allows for reciprocal on-site borrowing to current faculty, emeritus faculty, students and staff at participating BTAA institutions . View the list of member institutions.
Privilege details
Loan periods and fines, fees, and penalties vary by institution. For additional details, see the BTAA Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement, or contact the participating BTAA institution from which you would like to borrow directly.
OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program
The OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program allows faculty to access and borrow materials from participating institutions directly. If you plan to visit a participating institution and would like additional information about obtaining a borrower's card, email the circulation desk for more information, or call us: 847-491-7617.