Printing and Scanning
Materials can be printed from a library computer or from a personal computer, phone or tablet. Self-service scanners are available throughout the library.
Printers are located in multiple library locations.
Black and White Printer Locations
- University Library Information Commons (Level 1)
- Government and Maps Collection (Lower Level B190)
- 4 South, University Library
- Transportation Library (Level 5)
- Math Library
- Mudd Library
Color Printer Locations
- University Library Information Commons (Level 1)
- Periodicals and Newspapers Reading Room (Level 1)
- 4 South, University Library
- Herskovits Library (Level 5)
- Mudd Library
Documents can be printed from a library computer or from a personal phone, laptop or tablet.
Student Printing
Northwestern students print through Northwestern Print.
Cost
- Black and white printers: $.03 per side
- Color printers: $.10 per side
- Plotter: $2.50 per square foot (Estimate print cost on our plotter user guide)
See step-by-step printing instructions on the Northwestern Print Guide.
Faculty and Staff Printing
Faculty and staff have access to printers in their home department. To print in the library, visit the Information Commons desk at University Library or Mudd for assistance.
Note: Unfortunately, the plotter is unavailable for faculty and staff use.
Printing Without a NetID
You may print using a guest NetID. See the Information Commons staff at the desk for assistance.
Multiple types of scanners are available to use in the library.
Locations of Scanners
| Type of Scanner | Best for Scanning | Locations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Flatbed scanner |
Photos, short documents |
University Library Information Commons |
Scanned files can be saved to the attached computer. |
|
Overhead (KIC/Bookeye) scanner |
Large or fragile books |
|
Scanned files can be sent to email or saved to USB Drive. |
|
BookScan stations |
Books, multi-page documents |
|
Scanned files can be sent to email, saved to USB Drive or Google Drive, or faxed. |
|
Map and large-format document scanner |
Maps, posters, other large flat documents |
Government Information (Lower Level B190) |
Requires staff assistance. Request map or atlas scan assistance [link to gov docs page] |
|
Microform scanners |
Digitizing images to microfilm, microfiche or microcards |
|
digitize images from NU Libraries’ collections of microfilm, microfiche and microcards. |
Scanning Oversized, Fragile or Rare Materials
Some materials may be difficult to scan because they are oversized or fragile, even when using an overhead scanner. Please request assistance from a staff member, or request that a reproduction be made for you so as to not damage materials. Rare non-circulating materials from the collections of McCormick, Herskovits, Transportation and Music can also be requested in this way.
Request a reproduction or scan
Copyright Statement
Users of materials held by the Northwestern University Libraries are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and payment of such additional fees as the owners may require if the Libraries do not hold copyright or if the material is not in the public domain. Users assume all responsibility for questions of copyright or other rights that may arise in copying and in the use made of the copy.
The user assumes all responsibility for infringement of copyright or other rights and agrees that Northwestern University Libraries are free from liability for any infringement of use by the requester. Northwestern University Libraries reserve the right to refuse permission and reproductions to anyone who does not agree to these conditions.
See more on Rights, Permissions and Reproductions Policies.
Request Scanning Services
Visit the reproduce materials page to see how to request reproductions, including of rare materials.