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Alumni Resources

Accessing Library Databases

A Northwestern NetID is required to access secure online resources. Alumni can request temporary NetIDs to access resources on a library computer by visiting a library service desk.

Learn more

Obtain a Borrower's Card

Alumni who live in the Chicago area are eligible for borrowing privileges at Northwestern Libraries.

For borrowing privileges, please fill out our online form to begin the application process.

Apply here

An alumni borrower’s card costs $25 per year for alumni with a Northwestern degree and $50 per 3-months for alumni without a Northwestern degree.

Borrowing privilege details

  • Loan period: 4-week loan period, except for items on reserve for a class, which are not included in this borrowing program. All books are subject to recall with a guaranteed loan period of one week. DVDs and videos from the Mitchell Multimedia Center can be borrowed for 7 days.
  • Renewals: Items can be renewed three times, either in person or via NUsearch, the online library catalog system. After the third remote renewal, books must be brought in to start a new loan. 
  • Fines, fees and penalties: Northwestern does not charge daily fines on regular loan books. If a recalled book is overdue, or a regular loan item exceeds the loan grace period, it is considered "lost." A $125 replacement charge is applied, and the patron account is blocked from further transactions. 
A Borrower's Card does not grant access to Northwestern Libraries' online databases, but visitors can obtain a Guest NetID for database access using library computers. A Borrower's Card also does not grant access to Northwestern interlibrary loan.

Questions? Contact our Circulation Desk at circulation@northwestern.edu.