Visitor Information

Who may obtain a library-issued patron card

  • Indiana residents (with proof of residency)
  • Spouses of West Lafayette faculty, staff or students
  • Faculty at an Indiana ALI institution, Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA)-participating institution, or OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program participants
  • Faculty, staff, or students from Purdue regional campuses
  • Purdue conference attendees
  • Purdue continuing education students
  • Alumni from West Lafayette campus
  • Students from other Indiana colleges or universities
  • Students from participating Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions
  • Corporations located in Indiana (proxy)

Library-issued patron cards only provide on-site check-out privileges; they do not include access to licensed databases, nor do they include access to our Interlibrary Loan services. With the exception of proxies, patrons may only have one active library card at a time. The patron to whom a card is issued is the only person authorized to use it; patrons should not lend their cards to others.

Where can I apply for a card?

Obtain your visitor privilege card from any school or departmental library or at Circulation Services in the Interlibrary Loan office, Room 246 in the HSSE Library, Stewart Center. Privilege cards are valid for one year and may be renewed upon request by borrowers in good standing.

Patrons are responsible for:

  • Having an active visitor Card to check out any material
  • Renewing or returning all material by the due date
  • Reading and responding to all library notices promptly
  • Notifying the Libraries if their Visitor Card is lost or stolen
  • Paying any fines or fees for late return or non-return of library materials checked out on their Visitor Card
  • Notifying the Libraries of a change in address, including e-mail
  • Contacting the libraries if material charged on their Visitor Card is lost or stolen

Loan Periods

Visitors are eligible to check out most books in the general circulating collection. Other material such as media, reference books, and journals may be consulted on site.

BTAA and Purdue Regional Campus visitors

  • Core loan items are due back in 16 weeks
  • Media may be viewed within the library only
  • Recalled material: due 10 days after a recall is placed

All other visitors

  • Core loan items are due back in three weeks
  • Media may be viewed within the library only
  • Recalled material: due 10 days after a recall is placed

Renewals

Core loan materials may be renewed one time. How to renew:

  • Online in "My Account"
  • By phone (765) 494-0369
  • In person at the circulation desk of any Purdue West Lafayette campus library

Returning library materials

Books can be returned to any Purdue West Lafayette campus library or adjacent book drop. Items may also returned by US mail to:

Purdue University Libraries - CIRC
504 W. State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2058

Reminders are sent one week prior to the item due date. An overdue notice will be sent one day after the due date. Failure to return or renew materials within 7 days of the due date will result in the assessment of a $15 processing fee per item plus the replacement cost for each item.

For billing inquiries:

Contact Circulation Services at (765) 494-0369 or circservices@purdue.edu