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Borrow Items

If you do not have a current affiliation with Duke, you can obtain borrowing privileges for one year by joining the Friends of the Duke University Libraries with a donation of $100 or more.

A Friends' borrowing card allows you to check out print materials from:

To receive a borrowing card, please visit the Circulation Desk at Perkins, Lilly or Goodson Library, or visit the Friends of the Duke University Libraries website for more information on how to give. A minimum gift of $100 is required to obtain or renew a borrowing card. If you plan to give online, please allow at least 48 hours before requesting a card to allow your gift to process.

Please contact the Ford Library at the Fuqua School of Business directly for information about borrowing materials from their collection.

Visitors from TRLN Universities

The Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN) is a partnership of:

  • Duke University
  • North Carolina Central University
  • North Carolina State University
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

To borrow items, patrons from these institutions can visit the Duke University Libraries and present their home institution ID card. TRLN patrons will be required to to confirm their current affiliation with their institution by successfully logging into their home library account.  

BorrowDirect Plus Visitors

Faculty, staff and students from BorrowDirect member institutions can present their school ID card to obtain borrowing privileges at the Perkins, Lilly, Music, Law and Divinity Libraries as well as the Library Service Center. Privileges are issued at the Perkins Library service desk weekdays 8 AM to 7 PM. Visitors will be required to confirm their current affiliation with their institution by successfully logging into their BorrowDirect account.

Use a Computer/Wireless Internet

  • For the best experience utilizing Library resources, feel free to bring personal laptops and mobile devices. Wi-Fi is available via the DukeVisitor network. Use this same network to access electronic resources during your visit.
  • The Libraries have a limited number of Public Workstations available for use by visitors. Please visit the Service Desk at Library locations for assistance with logging on to Public Workstations. Workstations are available for one hour per person per day.
  • If your home institution is a member of eduroam and you have joined the network before leaving home you will be able access secure, high-quality wifi on our campus.

Request Materials from the Library Service Center

The Library Service Center (LSC) houses materials off-site. Use the Guest Request form to request materials to be delivered to one of the campus libraries.