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Plan Your Visit to Herskovits Library

We welcome students, faculty and scholars from around the world to use our collections. The Herskovits Library is open to the public.

Follow the below steps to visit the library and use the collections.

Herskovits READING ROOM POLICIES

 

For books and other general print materials

Browse Herskovits Library on the fifth floor.

University Library, 5th Floor
1970 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208

The general collection is available to browse during all hours that University Library is open.

Visitors without a Wildcard will need to provide a photo ID to enter the library.

For archives, manuscripts and other rare materials

You will need an appointment to view materials in the library.
  1. Register for the Special Collections and Archives Request System
  2. Find and request materials
  3. Set up an appointment to visit the rare materials reading room in Herskovits Library

See below for detailed instructions.

Register for the Special Collections and Archives Request System

All patrons must create and use an account for the Special Collections and Archives Library Request System to use rare Herskovits materials or the Herskovits rare materials reading room. Northwestern users will use a NetID and visitors will use an email address to register.

Login or create an account

Find and Request Materials

Rare Materials

  1. Search online using the Herskovits Library catalog

  2. When you find an item you wish to request, click the "Request Special Collections" while logged in

Archives and Manuscript Collections

  1. Search finding aids

  2. When you are ready to place a request, click the "Request" button

  1. Set Up an Appointment to Visit

    Set an appointment time in the request form for your item.

    To ensure all of your materials are available, create an appointment three days ahead of your arrival. Standard hours are 9:00 am - 4:30pm. See exceptions and closures on the full hours page.

    You will receive a confirmation email for your appointment.

     

  2. Bring Your Wildcard or Photo ID to Enter the Building

    Visitors without a Wildcard will need to provide a government-issued photo ID to enter the library (examples: driver’s license, state ID card, passport, military ID).

    Location

    The Herskovits Library is located in University Library on the fifth level. To navigate to University Library via GPS, use the address:

    University Library
    1970 Campus Drive
    Evanston, IL 60208

    View campus parking information

    The closest parking is the South Campus Parking Garage.

  3. Arrive at the Reading Room and Receive Materials From the Service Desk

    Once you arrive to the Herskovits Library, check in with the service desk and show your ID.

    Patrons will be assigned a seat at a research table where their materials will be delivered to them.

To help preserve materials, you must:
  • set rare books on supports.
  • take only one folder out of the box at a time.
  • maintain the order of the folders in the box and the order of items within folders.
  • avoid writing on or erasing of materials.
  • avoid setting other objects on materials.
  • use gloves when handling non-sleeved photographs, negatives, cased images, and artifacts. Gloves are not necessary for other paper materials.

See all other Reading Room Policies

Failure to comply with any policies may result in the loss of research privileges for the Herskovits Library.