Library Borrowing: Who Can Borrow

The Sheridan Libraries offer borrowing options for various members of the Johns Hopkins community and visiting scholars, including reciprocal agreements for some institutions. To borrow print resources from our library, you must have either an active library card – typically either your Jcard or a community library card. These cards allow patrons to request, checkout and pickup books. Community library cards do not give access to study space in the MSE Library Annex or Brody Learning Commons.

For J-Card Holders

Current Johns Hopkins students, faculty, and staff may borrow print library materials from The Johns Hopkins Libraries, BorrowDirect, and Interlibrary Loan. Library privileges are created automatically. If you do not have library access due to your role or status, please contact your academic department administrator or email us at asklib@jhu.edu. Faculty, staff, and graduate students located on the Homewood campus, may also select campus delivery as an option for selected buildings.

For Non-J-Card Holders

For Retired Faculty and Johns Hopkins University ID Holders

Retired faculty who are enrolled into the Faculty Program and have an active JHED are eligible for a physical J-Card. If you have a University ID with a picture and an active JHED, you may be eligible for a physical J-Card. Please contact the J-Card Office to determine your eligibility.

Community Cards for Non-Affiliates

If you do not have an active JHED or current Johns Hopkins status that is eligible to use the Johns Hopkins Libraries, then you may opt to purchase a library community card for $50 currently. If choosing the MSE Library Annex as your pickup location. Please contact the Service Desk at asklib@jhu.edu in advance to ensure that your books are being held for you at the desk.

Reciprocal Library Access

The Library offers free borrowing privileges through BorrowDirect IvyPlus Libraries, Maryland Independent Colleges and Universities Association, approved users from University of Maryland, and other users with special affiliations with Johns Hopkins University.

BorrowDirect

BorrowDirect offers on-site borrowing privileges at participating libraries for the Ivy Plus Libraries. Users with home library and interlibrary loan accounts in good standing have access to circulating materials at any of these participating libraries. New accounts must be created by the library, and members from the BorrowDirect Plus community will need to show their campus ID card and log into their home interlibrary loan account to show their current status. If visiting other Ivy Plus campuses, please contact the library to arrange this in advance of your visit and determine if they are allowing current onsite borrowing.

Participating schools are as follows:

University of Pennsylvania, The University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, Brown, Duke University, Columbia University, Stanford University, Dartmouth College, Yale University, and Princeton University.

Please contact the library you would like to visit ahead of time to verify borrowing privileges and any applicable policies for visitors.

Maryland Independent College and Universities Association (MICUA)

Students, staff, and faculty from MICUA institutions can request and borrow books from any participating library, including Goucher College, Hood College, Loyola University Maryland, McDaniel College, MICA, Mount St. Mary University, Notre Dame University, St. John's College, Stevenson University, Washington Adventist University, and Washington College.

University of Maryland

Requires a form to be completed and emailed to Ask a Librarian in advance of your visit and is decided on a case-by-case basis. If you want approval for borrowing privileges please contact asklib@jhu.edu at least one week ahead of your visit to allow for enough turnaround time with University of Maryland College Park.

Special Affiliations

These users are eligible for library cards at no fee. Please contact asklib@jhu.edu in order to create your library account. These include:

• Johns Hopkins Alumni
• Spouses, partners, and dependents (defined as 26 or younger) of current Johns Hopkins faculty, staff, and students
• Baltimore Museum of Art
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at JHU
• Space Telescope Science Institute (3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore) staff and researchers
• Walters Art Museum professional staff