Services for Guests

Visitors without library cards may use, in-house, the collections of the Hawthorne-Longfellow Library (including the Government Documents Collection), the Hatch Science Library, the William Curtis Pierce Art Library, the Beckwith Music Library, and the Media Commons; there is no charge for this access.

Visitors should feel free to direct inquiries about collections and services to library staff.

Accessibility services.

Most Library computers require a Bowdoin password, but several computers are available for guests to use for research and Internet access.  Guests are requested to limit Library computer use to one-half hour; during this time, they may be asked to defer to a Bowdoin student.  Because of the high demand for computers, we ask that they not be used for chatting and games. Guests accessing U.S. Government Documents online are not subject to the one-half hour restriction.

Visitors with their own laptop computers may borrow a cable at the Circulation Desk to connect to the Internet, or may use the College's wireless network .

All the electronic resources available through the Bowdoin Library web site (such as electronic journals, e-books and databases) may be used by anyone on site in Hawthorne-Longfellow or the branch libraries. Because of licensing restrictions, these resources are available from off campus ONLY to current Bowdoin students, faculty and staff members. Guest borrowers may access a variety of databases through Maine Digital Library, Maine’s virtual library. Maine Digital Library is available to Maine residents at no charge, and may be accessed through your home computer.

Borrowing of library materials is available to current members of the Association of Bowdoin Friends and current holders of library guest borrowing cards. We are not able to issue new guest cards at present.

Guests whose home libraries are participating in the Maine Reciprocal Borrowing Program may also borrow materials upon presentation of their library card. A list of libraries currently participating in the program may be found here. Contact your home library if you have questions about the program.

Books and Government Documents may be checked out at the Circulation Desk of Hawthorne-Longfellow, Hatch Science Library, and the Music Library. The Guest Borrower card must be presented to check out a book. The loan period is two weeks, but books are subject to immediate recall at any time. DVDs and videos may be used at viewing stations in the Library.

Periodicals do not circulate to Guest Borrowers.

The collections of the Art Library and the Media Commons, and recordings at the Music Library, must be used in-house.

Guest borrowers may renew books once, for an additional two-week period. This may be done in person or by calling the Circulation Desk.

Books may be renewed before they are due; the new due date will be calculated at two weeks from the original due date.

Renewal is not allowed for a book on which a hold has been placed.

The charge for overdue books is $.25 per day, per book. A notice for an overdue book usually is mailed as a courtesy, but non-receipt of notification does not remove the responsibility of the borrower for overdue charges.

Lost books should be reported to the Circulation Department promptly; overdue charges will accrue until the loss is recorded.

For a lost book, the Library will charge the replacement price plus $25.00 for ordering and cataloging if the book is in print. For an out of print book, the Library will charge $55.00, plus the $25.00 processing fee.

Payment of any charges, or questions regarding fees, lost books, or other problems should be addressed to a Circulation staff member in person or by phone at 725-3280. Student employees are not authorized to collect money.

As of Fall 2022, due to recent changes in the College’s printing and photocopying software, self-service guest printing and photocopying is currently not available.

Please visit the circulation desk at Hawthorne-Longfellow Library if you have any questions.

Guests who are auditing a Bowdoin class may apply for a library card as described above. Further information about policies for auditors is posted at the Registrar's Office .