Who can visit?
Members of the public who have a research purpose or are attending an event may register for a library pass or purchase a library card with a valid government-issued ID. Some restrictions apply. See library locations for specific information. The visitor pass is limited to seven days per year. Stanford ID holders are welcome at all library locations.
Extended hours building access policy
After 12:00 am, Green Library building access is only available to users with a valid Stanford ID card or mobile ID.
During the overnight hours, building access is not provided to users with a SUL library card. Furthermore, guests registered as visitors are not allowed to use the building after 12:00 am.
Visitors without a valid Stanford identification will have to leave the building. No exceptions.
How to get a visitor pass
Register at one of the locations below with an original (physical), valid government-issued photo ID (such as drivers license, passport, or state ID). Be sure to review our library policies before your visit.
What to expect when you visit
- Visitor day passes (must wear at all times) are available for visitors conducting work, research, or attending a specific event and/or exhibit.
- View parking options for each library location.
- Visitor wireless-internet access is available across campus and in the Libraries.
- Each library branch provides public computers.
- Cardinal Print provides printing and copying services for guests and visitors.
- Open study spaces do not need reservations, they operate on a first-come first-served basis. Group study rooms are only available to Stanford students.
- Licensed electronic resources may be accessed using our public computers only. Access from personal devices or remotely is not permitted. Some databases are restricted to active Stanford students, faculty, and staff members.
- Purchased library cards are only valid at Stanford Libraries locations such as Bowes Art & Architecture Library, Branner Earth Sciences Library, Cubberley Education Library (closed for renovation), East Asia Library, Music Library, Robin Li and Melissa Ma Science Library, and Terman Engineering Library.
- Search for accessibility details of each library location.
Purchase a library card
You can visit Stanford Libraries seven days a year (fourteen for Stanford alumni) at no cost. After seven days, you will need a library card. Complete the library card application before you visit, and we will send you further instructions.
Library access
Access Stanford University Libraries buildings. Use library materials in-house.
- $450/year ($100 for alumni)
- $150/3 months ($40 for alumni)
- $75/month ($15 for alumni)
- $35/2 weeks ($10 for alumni)
Access and borrowing
Access Stanford University Libraries buildings. Place holds, renew, and check out up to twenty-five items.
- $1000/year ($400 for alumni)
- $500/5 months ($175 for alumni)
- $325/3 months ($125 for alumni)
Access for special partners
Short-term scholar
Read the visiting scholar requirements. If you don't meet the guidelines and are hosted by a Stanford University department, you are eligible for an access + borrowing card, free-of-charge and valid for ninety days.
Hospital and GME staff
As a staff member (50-100% full-time equivalent) and fellow from Stanford Hospital, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, you are eligible for an access + borrowing card. The card has a one-time fee of $10, and renewals are free. Graduate Medical Education (GME) staff and fellows: You are eligible for an access + borrowing. The fee is $0, and renewals are free. The fee to replace your card is $25.
Ivy Plus affiliates
We have reciprocal borrowing agreements with Ivy Plus libraries. As a student, faculty, or staff member at an Ivy Plus school, you are eligible for an access + borrowing card. Your first library card is $10 and renewals are free.
Reciprocal Services Program (RSP)
We have reciprocal borrowing agreements with the University of California (UC) campuses. Stanford visitors planning to visit UC libraries must obtain an RSP Card from Green Library before visiting UC libraries.
- UC faculty, graduate students, and academic staff (including UC Berkeley) must inquire with their home institution’s library staff for instructions and eligibility prior to visiting Stanford.
- UC Berkeley faculty and graduate patrons are strongly encouraged to use the Research Library Cooperative Program (RLCP) first.
Continuing Studies affiliates
- Continuing Studies students do not have special privileges to access Stanford Libraries and only qualify for general public visitor access. They may register for seven free days or purchase access and borrowing cards as members of the public. They do not get access to the Group Study Rooms as reservations require Undergraduate or Graduate student SUNet IDs.
- Continuing Studies instructors are hired by the Continuing Studies department and their University IDs are issued by the Stanford ID Card Office. Their IDs become active four weeks before a class starts for new instructors or two weeks before the class starts for returning instructors. The University ID Card Privileges include library access and borrowing, and the cards are de-activated ten days after the end of the class.
Is there an age requirement?
Minors (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian at all times. The legal guardian must have an acceptable government-issued ID. Minors are not eligible to purchase fee-based library cards.
Are tour groups allowed?
Public tour groups (of any size) or other large groups are not permitted inside Stanford Libraries buildings. No exceptions will be granted.
Request a tour
Stanford ID holders may request a tour by contacting the Reference desk. Please specify preferences for dates, times, library location, and number of people who will be on the tour.
Contact us
For any questions or concerns, please contact Privileges or call (650) 723-1492.