Visitor and alumni services

A community borrower is someone at least 18 years old who is not a student, faculty, or staff of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Community Borrowers Cards cost $25/per year for Nevada residents and $50/per year for out of state residents. Alumni and affiliates of the University, as well as library donors, may receive a community borrower card free of charge.

Community Borrowers Card

• To apply for a Community Borrowers Card, go to any service desk at any of the University Libraries.
• A valid photo ID must be shown to receive a card.
• A Community Borrowers Card will be issued at the time of request or once all necessary information is provided and the fee is paid.
• Current students, staff, and faculty at other Northern NSHE institutions (DRI, GBC, TMCC, and WNC) are eligible to borrow most materials using their NSHE institution's library card or ID.

How to renew a Community Borrowers Card

• To renew a Community Borrowers Card, you must come in to one of our Libraries and fill out the application and pay the yearly fee. The application needs to be filled out again to ensure that all your contact information is the same.
• An email will be sent before your account expires. Accounts will expire a year after they were issued.

Borrowing from other institutions

There is a $10 charge for InterLibrary Loan requests for community borrowers, plus any incurred costs, and should be paid at receipt of book.

Community borrowing rules

Patrons with Community Borrowers Cards can check out twenty-five (25) books for a period of four (4) weeks with a maximum loan period of three (3) months. Books can be renewed using My Account by logging in with your library barcode and password or by calling 775-682-5625 or emailing circ@unr.edu.

Code of conduct

The University Libraries are committed to providing users with an environment that is safe, well maintained and conducive to study and research. Users and visitors are expected to engage in behavior that does not interfere with these efforts and that does not result in the improper use of Libraries' facilities. Users and visitors are also expected to abide by all relevant university policies, state and federal laws, and those general principles that guide civil behavior and discourse in an academic environment.

To ensure that all library users and visitors are able to use University Libraries' resources and services effectively, University Libraries requires full compliance with the rules and regulations listed below. Entering the library represents a tacit agreement to abide by these rules.

General behavior

• Observe all posted rules of library use, including, but not limited to, restrictions related to cell phone use, use of quiet study areas, consumption of food and drink, and computer use.
• Use furniture, library equipment and facilities in an appropriate manner and as designed; e.g. aisles and walk spaces are to remain freely passable at all times to ensure egress, public restrooms are not to be used as a bathing/washing/laundry facility, the Libraries are not to be used as a dwelling or for the purpose of sleeping.
• Avoid theft – do not leave personal belongings unattended. The library is not responsible for the loss or theft of personal property.
• A parent or guardian must supervise children under age 14.
• Unless otherwise posted, it is permissible to consume food and non-alcoholic beverages in the Libraries; beverages must be in spill-proof containers.
• Dispose of trash or recyclables in appropriate receptacles.
• Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times.

Prohibited behavior

• Preventing or limiting access to library resources through theft, vandalism or the deliberate misplacement of materials.
• Defacing, destroying, or corrupting any University Libraries’ information resources.
• Engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct.
• Verbally abusing, verbally assaulting or threatening to do bodily harm, and engaging in any form of mental or physical harassment. It is inappropriate, and in some cases illegal, to intentionally annoy, harass, or stalk any person, or engage in any other conduct which interferes with service or with the use and enjoyment of the library by others.
• Sexually harassing another person by making repeated and/or unwelcome sex-related comments or sexual overtures, or engaging in other similar physical behaviors, which interfere, or are intended to interfere, with another person’s work or study.
• Being in unauthorized areas of the libraries, remaining in the libraries after closing or when requested to leave during emergency situations or drills.
• Tampering with emergency mechanisms (e.g. alarms, extinguishers, opening emergency exits in non-emergency situations).
• Smoking or using tobacco products in the libraries.
• Possessing firearms or other weapons on state property.
• Having/using a bicycle in the library; using roller blades or skateboards in the library.
• Selling, soliciting, distributing or displaying any unapproved materials.
• Bringing animals into the library, unless they are certified assistance animals and registered with the Disability Resource Center.
• Failing to comply with directions of university officials or law enforcement officers who have identified themselves as such.

Compliance measures

All portable items, e.g. backpacks, bags, briefcases, may be subject to inspection by Library personnel. Proper identification may be requested by any library staff member and must be presented upon request. Users or visitors whose conduct or activities violate the above expectations will be asked to modify their behavior or leave the library. Failure to comply with these rules and regulations may result in the loss of library privileges in addition to other legal consequences. The Libraries will pursue infractions or misconduct through campus disciplinary channels and/or law enforcement as appropriate.

Remote access to University licensed resources

• Because of restrictions in University license agreements with publishers and vendors, we are allowed to extend remote access privileges to only  currently enrolled students, staff, and faculty. Others may come to the University and gain access to most of our online materials through the Guest Wireless network,
• Adjunct faculty who are doing work for the University requiring computing and library resources (such as research for the University, teaching classes through an agreement, or actively advising students) can apply to get a NetID and Library access. The University department chair or Director affiliated will need to fill it out and explain why the work for the University requires remote access to library resources. It also requires also the volunteer agreement form, which is linked below.

Application for Access to Computing Resources

Volunteer Application

Free online databases to Nevada library card holders

• The University Libraries' Databases A-Z List includes some free and open access databases.
• Free and open access databases are flagged with this icon:
• Additionally, many high-quality online databases are freely available to people who have a library card from a Nevada public library.  These databases can be accessed by anyone anywhere using a PC connected to the Internet. Use the link below to connect to your public library, then enter your library card information to use these resources.
• List of Databases (Nevada State Library)