For Visitors and Alumni

Library visitors are responsible for being abreast of and adhering to the university’s visitor guidance and protocols, available on the WashU Together: COVID-19 Response. Masking in the buildings is required and all patrons are asked to conduct a health screening before venturing onto campus.

The John M. Olin Library will require a card swipe with a valid WashU ID for entrance during operational hours after 6 PM, Monday-Friday, and during all open hours on weekends. Visitors to Special Collections must be pre-approved with an appointment.

Please see our COVID-19 Information and Olin Library Guidelines and Policies pages for more details.

Visitor Information

Access Options

Temporary Credentials

Library visitors can obtain temporary credentials by presenting a photo ID at the nearest Library Help Desk. Temporary credentials do not provide access to remote subscription databases. These credentials are good for 30 days. Temporary credentials are not renewable but new credentials can be requested as needed.

Library visitors can browse the catalog and wander the stacks. Some Library services, such as public computers, eResources, and in-person reference consultations, are limited and/or based upon availability.

Visitors to Special Collections must be pre-approved with an appointment. Users should have their WashU ID with them at all times. Masking in the buildings is required and all patrons are asked to conduct a health screening before venturing onto campus.

Century Club Members

Washington University alumni and St. Louis residents can check out materials from the Libraries by joining the Century Club. Basic membership is $100 per year (this does not include off-campus access to most databases and e-journals).

Current Eliot Society members who have committed or already paid for the 2022 fiscal year (July 1, 2021 – present) can renew their library card privileges onsite at Olin Library. If you do not have an Eliot Society card, please bring a copy of a gift receipt or contact Libraries Advancement (shannon_sowell@wustl.edu or (314) 935-5219) before your visit and your information will be passed to the circulation staff. 

If you wish to renew or start a Century Club membership and gain a library card valid for one year, you can make a gift of $100 or more to the University Libraries online in advance (please be prepared to show your gift receipt) or bring a check or credit card to the Olin Help Desk.

INFO-PASS Users

Cardholders at some public libraries in the St. Louis area may check out books from Washington University Libraries with an INFO-PASS. Ask your library if it participates in the INFO-PASS program.

MOBIUS Members

Washington University is a member of MOBIUS, a consortium of over 60 academic and public libraries in Missouri and beyond. Students and faculty members at other MOBIUS institutions can check out books using their university ID. MOBIUS users who do not live in the St. Louis area are encouraged to request items via the MOBIUS catalog and have them delivered to their home library, rather than checking them out in person.

SHARES Onsite Borrowing Program

Washington University participates in the SHARES Onsite Borrowing Program. Faculty, staff, and students from participating universities may obtain a courtesy borrower card and check out books from Washington University Libraries. Individuals must request a card from their home institution prior to visiting Washington University using the SHARES Onsite Borrowing Application. The card only allows for borrowing books. The card does not permit interlibrary loans or remote access to electronic resources.

OCLC Borrower’s Card

Washington University participates in the OCLC reciprocal borrowing program. Faculty members at other OCLC academic libraries may check out books from Washington University Libraries by obtaining an OCLC card. Faculty members must request the card from their institution’s library. The card only allows for borrowing books. The card does not permit interlibrary loans or remote access to electronic resources.

People with Disabilities

All Washington University libraries are wheelchair-accessible. If you require additional assistance, please contact the library directly. Visitors can call Golf Cart Services for more information about assistance navigating campus.

If you have difficulty retrieving materials from the stacks or other library areas, please notify the staff at the Help Desk. They will be happy to retrieve the materials for you. Students with disabilities should contact Washington University Disability Resources which is part of Cornerstone: Center for Advanced Learning for additional information and assistance.

Additional Amenities

Printing & Copying

The Libraries no longer provide printing and copying services for guests and visitors who are not members of the Washington University community.

In lieu of printing and copying services, a number of scanner-equipped computers are provided throughout the Libraries where guests and visitors can scan documents and save them to a USB flash drive or e-mail them to an address of their choosing. In addition, documents created on Library computers can also be saved to a USB flash drive or e-mailed to an address of the user’s choosing. The Libraries are only open to users with a valid WashU ID at this time.

Wireless Access

Wireless network access policies and procedures for guests and visitors to Washington University.