Access and Use
Jean & Alexander Heard Libraries welcome members of the community, and we invite public use of our collections. Building hours for all locations are listed on the library hours page. The Central Library building may be accessed during restricted hours by registering for a Daily Access Card at the Central Library circulation desk. (To be eligible, requestors must be 18 years of age and have a valid picture ID.) Daily Access Cards are not intended for extended use. Patrons needing expanded access can check affiliate requirements below to see if they qualify. For research support please contact a subject librarian.
Access during final exams is limited to holders of a current Vanderbilt ID. Exceptions will be made for pre-arranged visitors using specific collections and affiliate categories. (See the University Calendar for dates)
Persons not affiliated with Vanderbilt may be issued a library borrowing card under certain circumstances. If you wish to borrow library material, please review the Other Borrowers category on the Borrowing tab and apply as directed.
Licensing agreements require that some of our electronic resources are limited to current faculty, staff and students. Some material in our library catalog will not be available due to these licensing agreements.
Borrowing
Select your affiliation:
Current and Emeriti Vanderbilt Faculty
Vanderbilt Graduate Student
Vanderbilt Undergraduate Student
Vanderbilt & VUMC Staff
Vanderbilt Alumni
Retired Vanderbilt Faculty and Staff
Visiting Scholars
Interns/Observers
Other Borrowers
Current and emeriti Vanderbilt faculty may borrow using their Commodore Card.
| Loan period for most items | Number of checkout allowed | Maximum number of allowed overdues | Access to VU Interlibrary Loan | On Campus access to electronic resources | Off Campus access to electronic resources |
| 1 year | 500 | 25 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Faculty with both a Commodore Card and VUMC card must use their Commodore Card to receive faculty services.
To designate a student or staff member to check out books on your behalf, please use this form.
Loan Period Exceptions
With the exception of laptops, items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
The following items are for use inside the library: Fragile/Rare items, reference items, Blair School of Music recordings, Doctor of Ministry papers, selected government publications (all government publications at the Law library, some government publications (all DVDs and maps) at Central), items from the Central Legislative Collection and 78 rpm discs.
Laptops check out for 14 days or 3 days. Please consult this page for laptop availability. Laptops and card readers accrue $10 per day overdue fines.
Microform readers are available in the Central library. Annex requests for microforms should specify the Central library as a pickup library.
Access to the Peabody test collection is limited to licensed faculty or students under direct faculty supervision; check out periods are for 180 days and 7 days respectively.
Current Vanderbilt graduate students may borrow using their Commodore Card.
| Loan period for most items | Number of checkout allowed | Maximum number of allowed overdues | Access to VU Interlibrary Loan | On Campus access to electronic resources | Off Campus access to electronic resources |
| 3 months | 300 | 25 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Loan Period Exceptions
With the exception of laptops, items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
The following items are for use inside the library: Fragile/Rare items, reference items, Blair School of Music recordings, Doctor of Ministry papers, selected government publications (all government publications at the Law library, some government publications (all DVDs and maps) at Central), items from the Central Legislative Collection and 78 rpm discs.
Laptops check out for 14 days or 3 days. Please consult this page for laptop availability. Laptops and card readers accrue $10 per day overdue fines.
Microform readers are available in the Central library. Annex requests for microforms should specify the Central library as a pickup library.
Access to the Peabody test collection is limited to licensed faculty or students under direct faculty supervision; check out periods are for 180 days and 7 days respectively.
Current Vanderbilt undergraduate students may borrow using their Commodore Card.
| Loan period for most items | Number of checkout allowed | Maximum number of allowed overdues | Access to VU Interlibrary Loan | On Campus access to electronic resources | Off Campus access to electronic resources |
| 1 month | 150 | 25 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Loan Period Exceptions
With the exception of laptops, items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
The following items are for use inside the library: Fragile/Rare items, reference items, Blair School of Music recordings, Doctor of Ministry papers, selected government publications (all government publications at the Law library, some government publications (all DVDs and maps) at Central), items from the Central Legislative Collection and 78 rpm discs.
Laptops check out for 14 days or 3 days. Please consult this page for laptop availability. Laptops and card readers accrue $10 per day overdue fines.
Microform readers are available in the Central library. Annex requests for microforms should specify the Central library as a pickup library.
Access to the Peabody test collection is limited to licensed faculty or students under direct faculty supervision; check out periods are for 180 days and 7 days respectively.
Current Vanderbilt & VUMC Staff (Vanderbilt campus or One Hundred Oaks) may borrow using their Commodore Card or Medical Center ID, respectively.
| Loan period for most items | Number of checkout allowed | Maximum number of allowed overdues | Access to VU Interlibrary Loan | On Campus access to electronic resources | Off Campus access to electronic resources |
| 1 month | 300 | 25 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Loan Period Exceptions
With the exception of laptops, items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
The following items are for use inside the library: Fragile/Rare items, reference items, Blair School of Music recordings, Doctor of Ministry papers, selected government publications (all government publications at the Law library, some government publications (all DVDs and maps) at Central), items from the Central Legislative Collection and 78 rpm discs.
Laptops check out for 14 days or 3 days. Please consult this page for laptop availability. Laptops and card readers accrue $10 per day overdue fines.
Microform readers are available in the Central library. Annex requests for microforms should specify the Central library as a pickup library.
Access to the Peabody test collection is limited to licensed faculty or students under direct faculty supervision; check out periods are for 180 days and 7 days respectively.
Vanderbilt Alumni
Jean & Alexander Heard Libraries welcome members of the community, and we invite public use of our collections. Building hours for all locations are listed on the library hours page. The Central Library building may be accessed during restricted hours by registering for a Daily Access Card at the Central Library circulation desk. (To be eligible, requestors must be 18 years of age and have a valid picture ID.)
| Loan period for most items | Number of checkout allowed | Maximum number of allowed overdues | Access to VU Interlibrary Loan | On Campus access to electronic resources | Off Campus access to electronic resources |
| 1 month | 50 | 25 | No | Yes | Limited |
Loan Period Exceptions
With the exception of laptops, items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
The following items are for use inside the library: Fragile/Rare items, reference items, Blair School of Music recordings, Doctor of Ministry papers, selected government publications (all government publications at the Law library, some government publications (all DVDs and maps) at Central), items from the Central Legislative Collection and 78 rpm discs.
Microform readers are available in the Central library. Annex requests for microforms should specify the Central library as a pickup library.
Access to the Peabody test collection is limited to licensed faculty or students under direct faculty supervision; check out periods are for 180 days and 7 days respectively.
Retired Vanderbilt faculty and staff may borrow after obtaining a new Commodore Card from Card Services.
| Loan period for most items | Number of checkout allowed | Maximum number of allowed overdues | Access to VU Interlibrary Loan | On Campus access to electronic resources | Off Campus access to electronic resources |
| 1 month | 50 | 5 | No | No | No |
Loan Period Exceptions
With the exception of laptops, items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
The following items are for use inside the library: Fragile/Rare items, reference items, Blair School of Music recordings, Doctor of Ministry papers, selected government publications (all government publications at the Law library, some government publications (all DVDs and maps) at Central), items from the Central Legislative Collection and 78 rpm discs.
Microform readers are available in the Central library. Annex requests for microforms should specify the Central library as a pickup library.
Access to the Peabody test collection is limited to licensed faculty or students under direct faculty supervision; check out periods are for 180 days and 7 days respectively.
Visiting Scholars must be authorized by a Vanderbilt department.
| Loan period for most items | Number of checkout allowed | Maximum number of allowed overdues | Access to VU Interlibrary Loan | On Campus access to electronic resources | Off Campus access to electronic resources |
| 1 month | 15 | 5 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Loan Period Exceptions
With the exception of laptops, items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
The following items are for use inside the library: Fragile/Rare items, reference items, Blair School of Music recordings, Doctor of Ministry papers, selected government publications (all government publications at the Law library, some government publications (all DVDs and maps) at Central), items from the Central Legislative Collection and 78 rpm discs.
Laptops check out for 14 days or 3 days. Please consult this page for laptop availability. Laptops and card readers accrue $10 per day overdue fines.
Microform readers are available in the Central library. Annex requests for microforms should specify the Central library as a pickup library.
Access to the Peabody test collection is limited to licensed faculty or students under direct faculty supervision; check out periods are for 180 days and 7 days respectively.
Interns & Observers may receive borrowing privileges with the sponsorship of a Vanderbilt faculty member.
| Loan period for most items | Number of checkout allowed | Maximum number of allowed overdues | Access to VU Interlibrary Loan | On Campus access to electronic resources | Off Campus access to electronic resources |
| 1 month | 15 | 5 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Loan Period Exceptions
With the exception of laptops, items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
The following items are for use inside the library: Fragile/Rare items, reference items, Blair School of Music recordings, Doctor of Ministry papers, selected government publications (all government publications at the Law library, some government publications (all DVDs and maps) at Central), items from the Central Legislative Collection and 78 rpm discs.
Laptops check out for 14 days or 3 days. Please consult this page for laptop availability. Laptops and card readers accrue $10 per day overdue fines.
Microform readers are available in the Central library. Annex requests for microforms should specify the Central library as a pickup library.
Access to the Peabody test collection is limited to licensed faculty or students under direct faculty supervision; check out periods are for 180 days and 7 days respectively.
| Loan Period for most items | Number of checkouts allowed | Maximum number of allowed overdues | Access to InterLibrary Loan | On-Campus access to electronic resources | Off-Campus access to electronic resources |
| 1 month | 15 | 5 | No | Yes | No |
The following groups are eligible for limited borrowing privileges:
Academic High School Faculty
Faculty should contact mat.trotter@vanderbilt.edu for more information and to apply.
Blair School of Music Community
Blair Academy at Vanderbilt students, members of the Blair Patron Society and Blair Advisory Council members are eligible for borrowing at the Music Library. Blair community users can apply here.
ARL Faculty
Faculty from universities that are Association of Research Libraries (ARL) members A list of ARL members is available here. Applicants must present a Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program card, which can be obtained at your home institution library. Please contact mat.trotter@vanderbilt.edu for more information and to apply.
Fisk University Students and Faculty
Fisk University students and faculty may show an active Fisk identification card at any library service desk in order to borrow materials from Vanderbilt Libraries. Fisk students and faculty should consult with the Fisk University John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library for details.
Members of the Legal Profession
Members of the legal profession and other persons as authorized by Law Library administration are eligible for borrowing at the Law Library. Contact the Administrative Manager, Law Library, at (615) 343-8731 for more information.
Members of the Nashville Jewish Community
Members of the Nashville Jewish Community are granted borrowing privileges to the Divinity Library. For more information, please contact the Public Services Librarian for the Divinity Library, at (615) 322-2865.
Ministers and Denominational Employees
Local ministers and employees of denominational boards and agencies who are not in a degree-seeking program are eligible for borrowing at the Divinity Library. Ministers who live more than 100 miles away are eligible to join the Kesler Library Program. For more information, please contact the Public Services Librarian for the Divinity Library, at (615) 322-2865.
Rhodes College Faculty
Rhodes College Faculty are eligible for library borrowing privileges as part of the Vanderbilt-Rhodes Academic Partnership. Faculty should contact mat.trotter@vanderbilt.edu for more information and to apply.
Sewanee University Students and Faculty
Sewanee University students and faculty may show an active Sewanee identification card at any library circulation desk in order to borrow materials from Vanderbilt Libraries.
VU/VUMC Spouses
Spouses of Vanderbilt University faculty, emeriti, staff, and students. Spousal applicants must be accompanied by their partner to receive a spousal Commodore Card, which will serve as your borrowing card, at Vanderbilt Card Services.
Loan Period Exceptions
Items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
The following items are for use inside the library: Fragile/Rare items, reference items, Blair School of Music recordings, Doctor of Ministry papers, selected government publications (all government publications at the Law library, some government publications (all DVDs and maps) at Central), items from the Central Legislative Collection and 78 rpm discs.
Microform readers are available in the Central and Peabody libraries. Annex requests for microforms should specify the Central or Peabody library as a pickup library
Fines and Lost Items
Only the following items have overdue fines. Items that are eligible for fines are not renewable online.
- Laptops check out for 14 days. Laptops accrue $10 per day overdue fines and are not renewable online.
- With the exception of laptops, items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
- Fines for course reserves and loanable equipment vary.
Users can extend the due date of most library items (items eligible for fines are not renewable online) by signing into the library catalog. Recalled items are not eligible for renewal and must be returned by the recall date due. Severely overdue items are billed to your account after three courtesy overdue notices. Users are responsible for returning library items regardless of whether courtesy notices are read or mis-delivered (update your contact information with the Registrar's Office or Human Resources, if Vanderbilt student, faculty or staff; other users may update their contact info at the service desk in any library.) The amounts billed will be the replacement cost of the item or a flat fee of $75, and a non-refundable billing fee of $25.
If an item is 30 days overdue or returned in a damaged or incomplete state, the user will be billed for the replacement cost, or a flat fee of $75, plus a processing fee of $25.
Student fines and bills are transferred weekly (Sunday of each week) to Student Accounts.
Returns
Print materials should be deposited in any one of the book returns located inside and outside of the libraries on campus.
Fragile items such as CDs, DVDs, etc. should be returned to a library service desk.
Laptops must be returned to the service desk from where they were borrowed.
Fines and Use
Only the following items have overdue fines. Items that are eligible for fines are not renewable online.
- Laptops check out for 14 days. Laptops accrue $10 per day overdue fines and are not renewable online.
- With the exception of laptops, items that check out longer than 7 days may be recalled by another library user.
- Fines for course reserves and loanable equipment vary.
Users can extend the due date of most library items (items eligible for fines are not renewable online) by signing into the library catalog. Recalled items are not eligible for renewal and must be returned by the recall date due. Severely overdue items are billed to your account after three courtesy overdue notices. Users are responsible for returning library items regardless of whether courtesy notices are read or mis-delivered (update your contact information with the Registrar's Office or Human Resources, if Vanderbilt student, faculty or staff; other users may update their contact info at the service desk in any library.) The amounts billed will be the replacement cost of the item or a flat fee of $75, and a non-refundable billing fee of $25.
If an item is 30 days overdue or returned in a damaged or incomplete state, the user will be billed for the replacement cost, or a flat fee of $75, plus a processing fee of $25.
Student fines and bills are transferred weekly (Sunday of each week) to Student Accounts.
Borrower Responsibility
- You are responsible for all materials you check out and all fees or damages you incur.
- Do not loan to others items that you have borrowed.
- Do not let anyone else use your Vanderbilt Commodore card.
- Do not depend on others to return items for you.
- Report a stolen or lost Vanderbilt Commodore card to the Commodore Card Office or 615-322-2273.
- Note the time or date your borrowed materials are due. The library sends overdue notices as a courtesy, but it is always your responsibility to return materials on time.
- If your book is recalled, you must return it by the date indicated on the recall notice.
- If you receive an overdue notice for materials that you believe you have returned, please contact library staff.