Visiting Scholars

The level of library services provided to Visiting Scholars is determined by the type and length of appointment the visitor is granted. KU departments and individuals who are sponsoring visiting scholars are encouraged to investigate the Affiliate approval process. Status as a KU Affiliate secures the highest level possible for library privileges.

Visiting Scholars with Status as a KU Affiliate and KU Card

Visiting Scholars with KU Affiliate status and a KU Card may check out an unlimited number of long-term loan items for as long as four months, depending on the length of the appointment, and may renew the items up to five times via the Library Catalog before returning the items to the library or bringing the items to the library to check them out again.

All long-term loan items are subject to recall at any time and must be returned within 14 days of the recall date to avoid overdue charges. Short-term and reserve loan items checked out for two weeks or less must be returned to the library from which they were checked out by the time due in order to avoid overdue charges and in order to renew them.  All KU Affiliates are required to present the KU Card to check out or renew library materials and to request library services.

KU Affiliates may also acquire the KU Online ID and Password in order to gain access to library workstations and for off-campus access to library databases and e-journals.

Visiting Scholars With Status as KU Affiliate and Without a KU Card

 Visiting Scholars with KU Affiliate status who do not qualify for a KU Card may purchase a KU Library Borrower Card for $20. Visiting Scholars with Affiliate status who need to purchase a KU Library Borrower Card should bring a current photo ID to the Watson Library Service Desk between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday to complete the application process.

With the KU Library Borrower Card, the KU Affiliate may check out an unlimited number of long-term loan items, usually for the duration of the short-term affiliate appointment, but in no case for more than four months at a time. Depending on the length of the appointment, the items may be renewed online via the Library Catalog before returning the items to the library or bringing the items to the library to check them out again.

All long-term loan items are subject to recall at any time and must be returned within 14 days of the recall date to avoid overdue charges.  Short-term and reserve loan items checked out for two weeks or less must be returned to the library from which they were checked out by the time due in order to avoid overdue charges and in order to renew them.  All KU Affiliates are required to present the KU Library Borrower Card to check out or renew library materials and to request library services.

KU Affiliates may also acquire the KU Online ID and Password in order to gain access to library workstations and for off-campus access to library databases and e-journals. 

University departments sponsoring affiliate status visitors for periods of less than three weeks should contact the Libraries’ Circulation Business Office (Watson Library Service Desk, libfines@ku.edu, or 785-864-4715) to discuss options for library check-out privileges.

All Other Visiting Scholars

Departments and individuals who are sponsoring visiting scholars without using the affiliate approval process should contact the Libraries’ Circulation Business Office in person at the Watson Library Service Desk (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday), by phone at 785-864-4715, or via email at libfines@ku.edu to review the library privileges available.  In general, circulation privileges as a Resident Borrower will be the only service available. The department will need to provide a letter of introduction for the visitor including the purpose and duration of the time on campus. The visiting scholar will need to present a current photo ID and complete a form to provide email and postal mailing addresses.