Visit and Study / Using Library Collections

Using Library Collections

Come to Yale Library to engage with millions of books, journals, and films.
Check out a Book
Learn more about how to request and check out items.
Mail to Address
Learn how to request items to be sent to your home.
Scan and Deliver
Learn how to request scans of chapters and articles from items in the stacks.

Loan Periods and Limits

Role Loan Period Books/Loans Film Archive Items
Undergraduates 4 months 100 20
Undergraduate Seniors Academic Year 150 20
Graduate and Professional Students 1 year 500 20
Faculty 1 year 1,000 50
Staff 1 year 300 20
Retired Faculty 1 year  1,000 50
Retired Staff 1 year 300 20

Yale Library does not charge fines for the late return of a regular loan item unless it has been recalled for use by a course instructor or declared lost (i.e., it is more than 30 days overdue). Learn more about fines and fees for specific programs.

If there is an issue with your library account, such as a lost or damaged item, fill out the Problems with your Library Account form.

Other Borrowers

Alumni
Learn about the borrowing services available to Yale University alumni.
Borrowing Privileges for Visitors
Learn how to apply for a range of services available to outside researchers.
Post-Docs and Visiting Scholars
Learn about the range of borrowing services available to post-docs and visiting scholars at Yale.
Spouses and Domestic Partners
Learn about the range of borrowing services available to spouses and domestic partners.
Yale Fellows
Learn about the borrowing services available to researchers with Yale fellowship appointments.
Yale Sponsored Identities
Learn about the range of borrowing services available to Sponsored Identities at Yale.

Because of recent systems changes, you must sign up for a new account even if you have had one in the past. To begin the process, please complete the privileges pre-registration form.

Help and Related Resources

Ask Yale Library
We are here to answer your questions via chat, email, or phone.
Using E-resources
Yale Library licenses e-resources for use by Yale students, faculty, and staff, and Yale New Haven hospital affiliates.
Using Special Collections
Learn about the wealth of special collections available for research and teaching at Yale Library and Yale Center for British Art.