Services for Guests

Beginning Spring 2024, after 5pm, access to the Libraries and academic buildings will be restricted to Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students only.

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.

Accessibility services.

Guest access to Special Collections & Archives.

Most Library computers require a Bowdoin password. Several computers are available for guests to use for research and internet access. Guests are requested to limit Library computers to one-half hour, except those accessing United States Government documents online during this time. Guests may be asked at any time to relinquish the computer to a Bowdoin student.

Visitors with their own laptop computers may access the College's wireless network .

Most electronic resources available through the Bowdoin Library website (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.

Borrowing of library materials is available to current members of the Association of Bowdoin Friends. To request a library card, if you have not already done so, apply to become a member of the Association. Bring your membership card to the Hawthorne-Longfellow Library Circulation Desk to have your card activated for library guest borrowing.

Books, Government Documents, and other materials 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 materials. The loan period is two weeks, but materials are subject to immediate recall at any time. DVDs and videos may be used at viewing stations in the libraries. Guest loan periods.

Periodicals do not circulate to Guest Borrowers.

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

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

Renewals are 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.

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 207-725-3280. Student employees are not authorized to collect money.

Limited access to printing may be available to guests. Please inquire at the Hawthorne-Longfellow Library Circulation Desk for more information.

Guests who are auditing a Bowdoin class must become a member of the Association of Bowdoin Friends to borrow materials as described under Guest Borrowing and Circulation Policies, above.

Information about auditing classes and access to electronic services is posted on the Office of the Registrar website.