Access Privileges
The Galter Health Sciences Library serves the faculty, staff and students of Northwestern University and its affiliated hospitals only. The library is not open to the general public. Individuals without affiliation must have prior approval to use the library (see below) and must register at the library's front desk when they visit the library. They must also wear a visitor badge. The table below defines each user type's privileges.
| Affiliation | Type of ID | Check out materials? | Interlibrary Loan | Photocopy services | Mediated Searches |
Off-campus Access |
| Medical School Faculty, Staff, Resident, or Student | Wildcard, affiliated Hospital Badge or letter from supervisor for part time staff | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Non-faculty Physicians at Lurie Children's | Hospital Badge | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Other NU Faculty, Staff, or Student | Wildcard | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| FSM Alumni | FSM Alumni Card | Yes, if local (Books only) | No | No | Yes | No |
| Other NU Alumni | Alumni AssociationCard | No | No | No | No | No |
| NMH, RIC,or NMFF, or NMPG Staff at Streeterville Locations | Hospital Badge | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lurie Children's Staff* | Lurie Children's badge | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Lake Forest Hospital Staff* | LFH badge | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Contractors | Wildcard with Contractor Status | No | No | No | No | No |
| Visiting PhD or Medical Student | letter from NU Sponsor | Check with Circulation Department | No | No | No | No |
| InfoPass holder | InfoPass- requires prior approval granted to the requesting library for one time access. | N/A |
*Feinberg School of Medicine faculty and residents who work at Lurie Children's and Lake Forest Hospital have off-campus access privileges. Staff do not.
For categories not mentioned in the above access grid, contact User Services at (312) 503-8126.
Guest or Visitor Privileges
Occasionally, it may be necessary to request privileges to the Galter Health Sciences Library for an individual, i.e., a long-term visitor or a special employee, who is not a regular staff or faculty member of Northwestern University, the McGaw Medical Center or an affiliated hospital. Requests for privileges should include:
- Name of the visitor(s) and name of the supervisor, sponsor or host in the department.
- Duration of the visit or appointment.
- A statement of whether library privileges should include borrowing, online resources access or inhouse use only.
If borrowing or services privileges are requested, provide the name of the Northwestern faculty or staff member who is responsible for the visitor. This name will be listed jointly on the library's record and this person will assume responsibility for the visitor's borrowing activity, fines or bills. Borrowing privileges are extended to individuals who will be here three months or longer only. Access to electronic resources is available to visitors only on campus.
Requests for privileges should be sent to:
Heidi Nickisch Duggan, Associate Director
Galter Health Sciences Library
Ward 2-212
Chicago campus
Mailing address:
303 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Fax: 312-503-1204
Phone: 312-503-8133
You will be notified of the library's decision and we will be happy to arrange a tour or orientation for the new library user. Please contact Library Administration if you have any questions.