Borrowing Privileges for Visitors

Visitor Pass Options

Visitors may sign up for a Yale Library account to use and/or borrow from our general collections with a range of free and paid options. Visitor accounts are available to anyone, regardless of connection or affiliation with Yale.

To set up your account, call (203) 432-1775, or visit the Sterling Library service desk during business hours (hours are subject to change so please check the calendar before planning your visit):
  • Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 6 pm
  • Friday: 8:30 am - 5 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
  • Sunday: 12 pm - 6 pm
Pre-registration is encouraged for groups of all sizes. You must sign up for a new account even if you have had one in the past. To begin the process, please complete the privileges pre-registration form. Contact Ask Yale Library with questions if you need further assistance.
 
Payment methods: We accept credit cards (American Express, Visa, or Mastercard) and checks. An e-pay option is available. We do not accept cash. 
 
Pass Options Rates Books/Loans
Desk Pass One week, free, option to renew 20, for in-library use
Access Pass $20/week or $40/month * 20, for in-library use 
Borrowing-Basic
$200/3 months or $750/year
25, for checkout
Borrowing-Basic+  $850/year (annual rate only) 60, for checkout 
 

* Access Pass is free for students, staff, and faculty from other universities, and SHARES institutions with a valid university or museum ID card.

Pass Options

Desk Pass

  • Staff retrieval of up to 20 items per day from Sterling Library stacks and the Library Shelving Facility  ** 
  • Entry to Sterling Library and Bass Library up to 6 pm
  • No borrowing privileges or stack access

Access Pass

  • Staff retrieval of up to 20 items per day from Sterling Library stacks and the Library Shelving Facility  ** 
  • Entry to Sterling Library and Bass Library after 6 pm (ID is required to enter the building)
  • Access to the Sterling Library stacks
  • No borrowing privileges
  • Onsite access to electronic resources
** Use “Request for Pickup” option in Quicksearch and select service desk in Sterling or Bass as a pickup location. Allow two business days for delivery of items between libraries. 
 

Borrowing: Basic Pass

  • Book loan period: 2 months
  • Number of books/loans: 25
  • Entry to Sterling Library and Bass Library after 6 pm (ID is required to enter the building)
  • Access to the Sterling Library stacks
  • Check out materials from any library, excludes Yale Film Archive
  • Onsite access to electronic resources

Borrowing: Basic+ Pass

  • Book loan period: 2 months
  • Number of books/loans: 60
  • Entry to Sterling Library and Bass Library after 6 pm (ID is required to enter the building)
  • Access to the Sterling Library stacks
  • Check out materials from any library, excludes Yale Film Archive
  • Onsite access to electronic resources

Access to Electronic Resources (Databases, Online Journals, etc.)

Access to library-licensed electronic resources is contractually limited to currently employed faculty and staff and currently enrolled students of Yale and its immediately affiliated institutions. On-campus visitors from other Eduroam-affiliated institutions can select this network by logging in with their home university ID. 

Visitors may access e-resources on a limited number of computers in the Sterling Library nave if they have an Access Pass or higher. Call (203) 432-1775, or visit the Sterling service desk for more information and to set up access.