What Can I Access?
Identification Requirements
Learn about the type of identification you need and whether you need to sign in to access Library spaces.
Caltech Students, Faculty, and Staff
All faculty, trustees, visiting faculty, post-docs, staff, students, and summer students must have a current Caltech ID for tap access.
Other Groups
Groups listed below only have access to Sherman Fairchild Library. Visitors will be required to fill out our Visitors Form prior to arrival and present required ID when they check-in at SFL Service Desk upon arrival. Effective Fall 2022, subject to change.
| Access Requirement | |
| Visiting Summer Student (must have a Caltech ID card) | Caltech ID card |
| Caltech Affiliate & Volunteer (must have a Caltech ID card) | Caltech ID card |
| Family Member (Faculty, Staff & Postdoc)* | Caltech Library ID Card |
| JPL Current Full-Time Staff * | JPL Badge |
| Retired Caltech Staff *+" | Caltech Retiree ID Card |
| Retired JPL Staff *+ | Caltech Retiree ID Card |
| Caltech Alumni *+" | Must be registered with Alumni Office |
| Caltech Associates *+" | Caltech Associates ID Card |
| Thirty Meter Telescope Staff*+ | Thirty Meter Telescope Staff ID Card |
| Carnegie Observatories Staff*+ | TBD |
| Huntington Library Readers *+ | Huntington Reader ID Card |
| ArtCenter College Design (Student & Faculty) *+ | ArtCenter ID Card |
| City of Hope Professional Staff*+ | TBD |
| Guest Reader (Must have an active Affiliation with Accredited Colleges and Universities) *+ | State Issued Government ID |
Borrowing Privileges
Learn about the number of books you can check out and for how long.
Caltech Students, Staff, and Faculty
| Maximum Number of Books | Loan Period for Books | Renewals | |
| Faculty / Trustee | 300 | 365 days | 3 |
| Visiting Faculty / Postdoc / Staff | 200 | end of term | 3 |
| Student | 100 | end of term | 3 |
Other Groups
Tentatively effective Fall 2022, subject to change.
| Maximum Number of Books | Loan Period for Books | |
| Visiting Summer Student (must have a Caltech ID card) | 5 | 30 days |
| Caltech Affiliate & Volunteer (must have a Caltech ID card) | 5 | 30 days |
| Family Member (Faculty, Staff & Postdoc)* | 5 | 30 days |
| JPL Current Full-Time Staff * | 10 | 30 days |
| Retired Caltech Staff *" | TBD | TBD |
| Retired JPL Staff *+ | not available | not available |
| Caltech Alumni *+" | not available | not available |
| Caltech Associates *+" | not available | not available |
| Thirty Meter Telescope Staff | not available | not available |
| Carnegie Observatories Staff | TBD | TBD |
| Huntington Library Readers *+ | not available | not available |
| ArtCenter College Design (Student & Faculty) *+ | not available | not available |
| City of Hope Professional Staff | TBD | TBD |
| Guest Reader (From Accredited Colleges and Universities) *+ | not available | not available |
Access to Library Services, Buildings, and Resources
Caltech Students, Staff, and Faculty
|
|
Equipment & Laptops |
Recall |
Journal Access |
Building Access |
|
Faculty / Trustee |
available |
available |
available |
available |
|
Visiting Faculty / Postdoc / Staff |
available |
available |
available |
available |
|
Student |
available |
available |
available |
available |
|
Visiting Summer Student |
not available |
available |
available |
available |
Other Groups
Groups listed below only have access to Sherman Fairchild Library. Electronic resources access is only available on campus through the guest wireless network. Tentatively effective Fall 2022, subject to change.
| Equipment & Laptops | Recall | |
| Visiting Summer Student | not available | not available |
| Caltech Affiliate & Volunteer (must have a Caltech ID card) | not available | not available |
| Family Member (Faculty & Staff)* | not available | not available |
| JPL Current Full-Time Staff * | not available | not available |
| Retired Caltech Staff *" | not available | not available |
| Retired JPL Staff *+ | not available | not available |
| Caltech Alumni *+" | not available | not available |
| Caltech Associates *+" | not available | not available |
| Thirty Meter Telescope Staff *+ | not available | not available |
| Carnegie Observatories Staff *+ | TBD | TBD |
| Huntington Library Readers *+ | not available | not available |
| ArtCenter College Design (Student & Faculty) *+ | not available | not available |
| City of Hope Professional Staff *+ | TBD | TBD |
| Guest Reader (From Accredited Colleges and Universities) *+ | not available | not available |
* 9:00 am–4:00 pm Monday–Friday only
+ Limited to five visits per month (excluding Caltech Associates)
" Friends of the Library Membership—Must be former Caltech staff/faculty/student