Authentication, Identification Requirements, Barcodes, and Logging in for Library Services

Access to a wide range of library services requires a combination of authentication and identification requirements. Unless otherwise stated, all services require current enrollment at or current non-student employment or affiliate status (including emeritus and retirees) with the University of Kansas. See Asking Questions about KU Libraries Policies and Procedures for assistance with the information provided here.

Off-campus access to KU Libraries' licensed electronic resources

Requires login with valid KU Online ID and Password.
Access electronic resources via Libraries' website.
Access can be improved by first logging in to myKU : under Academics, click Library Account & Resources, then Library Resources, then KU Libraries to open library landing page.

Request Articles, Books, More - see WebRetrieve Login

WebRetrieve Login create an account

First time users need to log in with their KU Online ID and Last name as it appears in the KU directory and answer several questions.
Continuously enrolled and employed KU students, faculty, staff, and affiliates should only need to do this once.

WebRetrieve Login (Document Delivery, Interlibrary Loan Borrowing)

Once the "create an account" step has been completed, log in with your KU Online ID and Password.
Proxies log in with the 6-digit barcode number and the proxy sponsor's last name.
To view ILL article or chapter requests, log in to WebRetrieve and go to "View Your PDFs."
In WebRetrieve, My Account refers to your contact and request information. This is also where you can change your pick-up location for Interlibrary Loan items borrowed from another library.
Because of compatibility issues, do not use Chrome. Use Firefox or Safari.

In-library public workstations

Community Access Workstations

Workstations available for visitors to the KU Libraries with access to many of the licensed electronic resources.
Request access code at the service desk in the library you are visiting.

Wireless Access

While on campus, KU students, faculty, staff, and affiliates may log in to the JAYHAWK secure wireless network with a valid KU Online ID and Password. This option provides the best access to the KU Libraries' licensed electronic resources.
KUGUEST wireless network is available to all campus visitors.
See Campus Wi-Fi for additional information.

Quick Search login for My Account

From KU Libraries page, under Borrow & Renew, click MY ACCOUNT.
From within Quick Search, click Sign-In in upper right corner to log in.
Log in with KU Online ID and Password or with Patron Barcode and Last Name.
If not current KU student, employee, or affiliate, requires current KU Library Borrower Card and log in with barcode number and last name (see What is my barcode? below for additional information).
Login provides access to save items and searches in Saved Items/SAVED RECORDS, to Request items, and to open My Account to complete online renewals, review due dates, and to see Request and Fines information.
See also My Account in WebRetrieve Login above.

Library Catalog Login to My Account

From Library Catalog, click My Account and log in as instructed.
KU students, faculty, and staff may log in with their KU Online ID and Password or with their 8-digit barcode number and last name.
If not current KU student, employee, or affiliate, requires current KU Library Borrower Card and log in with barcode number and last name (see What is my barcode? below for additional information.
Login provides access to My Account to complete online renewals, review due dates, to Request items, to see Request and Fines information, and to save items to the Bookbag.
See also My Account in WebRetreive Login above.

Logging in Via myKU Portal

From the myKU portal, log in with your KU Online ID and Password. Use the Academics drop down list to select Library Account and Resources. You will see headings for Items I Have (Items Checked Out), Items Waiting (Request information), Fines and Fees, and My Library Account. Click My Library Account to open My Account in library records and review your personal information.
Library users with KU Library Borrower Cards and Proxy Borrower Cards do not have access to the myKU portal login using these cards.

Get at Spencer request service (Aeon)

To become a registered user, complete the First Time User Registration form in Kenneth Spencer Research Library's circulation system called Aeon and present photo identification.
Thereafter, use the Aeon Logon (Username and Password) you created.

Circulation services at a library service desk

First time KU students, faculty, staff, and affiliates are required to present their KU Card for verification and/or entry of the patron barcode in the library circulation system. Thereafter, presentation of the KU Card or a government-issued photo ID card is required.
Proxy borrowers must present the KU Libraries Proxy Borrower Card and a government-issued photo ID card.
For non-KU borrowers, the currently valid KU Library Borrower Card and a government-issued photo ID card must be presented.
Identification and borrower cards will be accepted only when presented by the person to whom the card was issued.

Request services - Recalls, Retrieve from Shelf, TripSaver, and Home Loan Delivery

Not all services available to all users.
KU students, faculty, staff, and affiliates may log in for eligible services with their KU Online ID and Password. This group may also log in with their patron barcode and last name.
KU Med students, faculty, and staff may log in for eligible services with their barcode number and last name. See What is my barcode? below for additional information.
Resident and Reciprocal Borrowers may log in for eligible services with their barcode number and last name. See What is my barcode? below for additional information.

Notes about service eligibility

All currently valid borrowers may place Recalls.
The Retrieve from Shelf service is available for eligible circulating collections to all currently valid KU students, faculty, staff, and affiliates, and to current resident and reciprocal borrowers.
The TripSaver service is available to Lawrence campus faculty and staff with an on-campus office location.
The Home Loan Delivery service is available to current KU students, faculty, staff, and affiliates plus resident and reciprocal borrowers with active KU Library Borrower Cards living in the United States outside of Lawrence and Douglas County in Kansas.

Library Annex requests

See Request services - Recalls, Retrieve from Shelf, TripSaver, and Home Loan Delivery above.
Circulating materials in the Library Annex may in some cases be available to non-KU patrons without borrowing privileges for in-library use only; ask at a library circulation desk.

Suggest a Purchase

What is my barcode?

For services that provide a barcode login, valid library users may log with their barcode and last name. That barcode may not always be 8 digits or characters.

For KU students, faculty, staff, and affiliates with KU Cards, the barcode number is the last 8 digits of the 16-digit number on the front of their KU Card.
For individuals with KU Proxy Borrower Cards, log in with the 6-digit barcode number from the Proxy Card and the sponsor's last name.
For KU Med students, faculty, and staff, the barcode will be identified at the time borrowing privileges are established and may or may not be an 8-digit number.
For resident and reciprocal borrowers, the barcode will be either the last 8 digits of the 16-digit number from the KU Library Borrower Card or for newer cards, the barcode is the LBC00000 number.
For Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) students, the barcode number is the same as what appears on your HINU photo ID cards. For HINU faculty and staff, the barcode will be identified at the time borrowing privileges are established.
For visiting borrowers who have been issued temporary paper borrower cards or permits, the barcode will be attached to the paper card or permit. Use the complete numeric or alpha-numeric barcode to log in. Examples include: 900001, 800001, 1234567, LBC00000, SCH2140509, and SUMPRO2146649.

Policy information

For policy information regarding access to library services, see the following documents in the KU Policy Library: