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Access for Visitors

Library spaces and resources are intended primarily for the use of students, faculty, and staff of The Claremont Colleges. While all visitors are welcome at the library, some may be eligible for a community card

Obtaining a Library Card

Claremont Colleges Students, Faculty, and Staff

  • Use your campus ID as your Library card. You can access the Library’s e-resources using your campus login credentials (CAS).

Community Members

  • There are two options for obtaining a Library card:
  1. Community Access Card – For access to Library spaces only. Apply at the Main Services Desk.
  2. Community Borrower Card – For access to Library Spaces and to borrow Library materials. See eligibility details below.

Visitors

  • Visitors to the Huntley Bookstore and Cafe on Honnold 1 do not need a Library card.
  • One-time visitors to the Library and visitors to Special Collections also do not require a Library card but we do ask that you check in at the Main Services Desk or North Desk.
  • Children must be accompanied at all times by an adult.

Note: There are blackout dates for community access where access to the Library is limited to current students, staff, and faculty of The Claremont Colleges. See the Blackout Dates for Community Access section below for more information.

Eligibility for Community Borrower Card

Community Borrower Cards may only be used to check out Library materials held within The Claremont Colleges Library building. They may not be used for requesting Resource Sharing items, accessing e-resources off-campus, accessing some e-books and other resources even when inside the building, accessing the Library’s Wi-Fi (except for specific patron types), or reserving Library spaces. For the complete list of borrowing privileges, see the Borrowing page .

If you qualify under one of the following categories, you may apply for a library card at the Main Services Desk.

Alumni/Alumnae of The Claremont Colleges:
Apply for a card at the Main Services Desk with any photo ID. We may need to call the registrar at your alma mater to confirm your status as an alumnus/alumna, so it is best to apply during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) when those offices are open.
Retired and Emeritus Faculty:
Apply for a card at the Main Services Desk with any photo ID. We may need to call the campus you retired from to confirm your status,  so it is best to apply during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) when those offices are open.
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Faculty and Staff:
Bring your California Botanic Garden ID card to the Main Services Desk.
Children, Spouses, and Domestic Partners of The Claremont Colleges Faculty and Staff:
Children ages 16-22, as well as spouses or domestic partners of faculty and staff, may apply for a library card by coming to the Main Services Desk with their qualifying person (current faculty or staff member) and photo ID.
Reciprocal Faculty:
We participate in the SCELC and GWLA reciprocal faculty programs. Bring your signed form and photo ID to the Main Services Desk.
Visiting Scholars:
Scholars from other academic institutions who are affiliated with one of The Claremont Colleges for instruction or research purposes. In order to have borrowing privileges, you will need a campus ID card issued by your sponsoring campus, and to access electronic resources you will need network credentials issued by your sponsoring campus.
Claremont Residents (ZIP Code 91711):
Residents 18 years and older may apply for a library card. Photo ID, proof of residence, and a $50 annual fee is required. There is no fee for Claremont residents 65 and older.
Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Orange County Residents:
Residents may apply for a library card. Photo ID, proof of residence, and a $100 annual fee is required.
Proof of Residence for Community Borrower Card

To verify proof of residence, we require one of the following options:

  1. A valid driver’s license with current address.
  2. A valid California ID with current address.
  3. A current utility bill that shows current address, your name, and the date. Name must match your photo ID.
  4. A voter registration card with your name, current address, and the date. Name must match your photo ID.
Blackout Dates for Community Access

For select dates noted below, the Library will be open only to current students, staff, and faculty of The Claremont Colleges with exceptions for Huntley Bookstore and Library Café visitors (when they are open), as well as Special Collections appointments

The purpose of this is to prioritize access to the Library for students, staff, and faculty of The Claremont Colleges during the last week of classes and finals week.

Upcoming Community Access Blackout Dates:

  • Spring Semester 2024: April 30 – May 9, 2024
Short-term Programs and Visiting Groups

Affiliated with The Claremont Colleges

If your group or program is operated or sponsored by one of The Claremont Colleges, please complete the Affiliated Visiting Groups form to let us know more about the group and your needs. We are able to offer orientations, instruction, access, and borrowing privileges. This form is for short-term groups/programs whose participants are not current students, staff, or faculty of The Claremont Colleges. For other orientation or instruction needs, please contact us at library@claremont.edu.

Unaffiliated with The Claremont Colleges

If your group is not affiliated with any of The Claremont Colleges, but you would like to visit the Library for an orientation or instruction, please complete the Unaffiliated Visiting Groups form. For general access to the Library for visitors, please see the Obtaining a Library Card section above.

For additional questions, please contact us at library@claremont.edu.