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Visiting the Libraries

As of September 2023, the BU Libraries have revised its visitor policy to welcome more scholars and researchers into its spaces and to streamline the process for visitors requesting access to a BU Libraries location.

All library patrons are expected to follow the BU Libraries Code of Conduct.

Who Can Visit

BU community members, affiliate visitors, and unaffiliated visitors are all welcome at the BU Libraries. The following entrance procedures are in place for various groups:

BU Community (current faculty, students, staff, and faculty emeritus):

Current BU community members with a valid BU ID have access to our branches during all hours of operation. All BU community members must swipe or display their BU ID upon entry.

BU Alumni

BU Alumni may visit Libraries branches as visitors by checking in with a photo ID and their alumni card at the front desk upon arrival.

Boston Medical Center (BMC) employees

BMC employees may enter Libraries branches as visitors by checking in a current BMC identification card at the front desk upon arrival.

Visitors accompanied by BU Community members

BU Community members may accompany visitors who contribute to their research and learning activities. Visitors will be required to present a photo ID upon check in; accompanying community member will be required to present a BU ID.

Tours

Group campus tours may enter Libraries facilities when led by BU Admissions tour guides. Solo visitors should request access following the guidelines for unaffiliated visitors.

Affiliate Visitors

Boston Library Consortium members

Current students, faculty and staff from Boston College, Brandeis University, and Northeastern University may access the Libraries by presenting their university-issued photo ID cards upon entry. All other BLC members must present a valid consortium card issued by their home institution as well as photo ID.

SHARES

Faculty, emeritus faculty, students, and academic and professional library staff of partner institutions of SHARES, a program of the OCLC Research Library Partnership, must present a valid institutional ID card upon arrival. A valid photo identification may be requested if the ID does not include a photograph.

OCLC reciprocal scholars program

Faculty of participating institutions must present a valid institutional ID card. A photo identification may be requested if the ID does not include a photograph.

Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium (BTI)

Faculty and graduate students of participating BTI libraries must present a valid institutional ID card. A valid photo identification may be requested if the ID does not include a photograph.

Unaffiliated Visitors

BU Libraries welcomes unaffiliated visitors with scholarly needs to our facilities on a case-by-case basis. Permission to visit must be granted in advance. Visitors will receive confirmation that they have been added to Libraries’ approved visitor list for the day(s) of their visit, and will be required to show a photo ID and check in upon entrance.

To request access, please complete the Visit Request Form.

Visitors wishing to access collections in the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center should use the Contact the Gotlieb Center form.

Visit Us Online

In addition to the in-person services provided in our libraries, we offer an array of online services to support your academic and research goals. For more information about connecting online, see our Using the Libraries Online overview or visit Ask a Librarian.

This page last updated: September 8, 2023.