Visiting Scholars and Sponsored Accounts

Policy Approval Authority Associate Dean of Public Services
Responsible Division Public Services
Responsible Office Circulation
Responsible Officer(s) Head of User Services
Contact Person AD of Public Services, Leanne VandeCreek
Effective Adoption Date n/a
Last Review Date 09-20-2009
Policy Category/Categories University Libraries
Visiting Scholars
Sponsored Accounts

Updated: 03-28-2025 (Updated text and format to meet new library policy standards, replaced Courtesy Card with Visitor Library Card, replaced Reference Desk with Research & Help Desk, added "Additional Services for Sponsored Accounts", updated links)

Policy Narrative

Traditionally, Northern Illinois University Libraries has extended library privileges to visiting scholars and international visitors who are unaffiliated with the University. This policy defines those privileges.

Borrowing

Visiting scholars and international visitors are eligible to have library privileges subject to the Libraries' Circulation Policy.

A visiting scholar from a CARLI I-Share institution who has an institutional ID card may make use of the collection and services without any special provision.

Visiting scholars, not affiliated with a CARLI institution, and international visitors must be sponsored by an academic unit on campus. It is important that the sponsoring unit understand s that any billing issue on the part of the scholar which cannot be resolved will become the academic unit’s responsibility.

Either the Associate Dean for Public Services or the Head of Access Services should determine if the visitor will be accommodated with low-end privileges or if there is a need for high-end privileges. Departments may also request high-end privileges.

The Head of Access Services will oversee the issuance of a Visitor Library Card with appropriate privileges. Groups of visiting scholars or international visitors may also be accommodated. The affiliated sponsoring department may arrange for a Visiting Scholars ID card. The card itself is a special issuance and limited in the services provided, but can include library services with appropriate privileges. It would take the place of a Visitor Library Card. The Visiting Scholars ID card will be set with an early expire based on the visiting scholar’s last day.

Use of Materials Within the Libraries

Any visitor may visit the University Libraries and use
  • on-campus public access terminals, which includes access to all of the library’s databases, e-books, and online journals.
  • microforms and the microforms reading room.
  • all other materials within the libraries that are needed for professional or scholarly research purposes.

Services

  • Reference service is available at the first floor Research Help Desk during the posted hours of service. The service extends to visitors requiring assistance.
  • Sponsored visitors with high-end privileges may obtain library materials not owned by NIU Libraries from other libraries through Information Delivery Services, subject to conditions specified in the library’s Information Delivery Services policy.
  • Library orientation tours and guides on the use of the University Libraries.
  • Carrel applications
  • Self-service printers and photocopiers

Additional Services for Sponsored Accounts

Compliance

Visiting scholars and sponsored visitors who fail to comply with the rules and regulations of the University Libraries may lose their library privileges.

Contact Us

Library Information
Founders Memorial Library
217 Normal Rd
DeKalb, IL 60115-2828
815-753-1995
lib-admin@niu.edu
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