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Visitors to Duke University Libraries you have access to various services, depending on their affiliation.

All visitors

Before you come

Although all visitors can use library materials on premise, if you need to borrow materials for off-site use you will first need to set up an account:

  • Before you come to campus, begin setting up your Duke Libraries Visitor Account by setting up a Duke OneLink account; this process can take a few hours to a few days to complete
  • When you arrive on campus for the first time, register at the service desk of the Duke University Library you will be using (registration not available on Saturdays)

The types of visitors listed below are eligible to request borrowing privileges; see our Loan Periods for information about borrowing physical items.

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 (UNC-CH)

To borrow items, patrons from these institutions must have a OneLink account as well as present their home institution ID card. TRLN patrons will be required to confirm their current affiliation with their institution by successfully logging into their home library account.

Faculty and graduate students from UNC-CH

Faculty and graduate students from UNC-CH have borrowing privileges that differ from standard TRLN privileges.

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 6 PM (hours may vary). Visitors will be required to confirm their current affiliation with their institution by successfully logging into their BorrowDirect account.

Friends of the Duke University Libraries

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.

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

Durham residents

Members of the Durham, North Carolina community are eligible to apply for borrowing privileges at no cost by presenting themselves and proof of residence at the Perkins Library Service Desk. Only materials from the Perkins and Bostock Libraries and the Library Service Center are available to community borrowers.