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Services for Alumni & Guests

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Services for alumni

All alumni of Boston College's undergraduate and graduate programs and schools are welcomed back to use the resources of the Libraries onsite and other services and resources as detailed below. The Boston College Libraries (excluding the Law Library) are open to the public. 

Due to renovations, the O’Neill Library’s 5th floor will be inaccessible from May 25th through August 20th, 2021. If you need an item from this area, please contact circulation at notices@bc.edu

Borrowing for Alumni & Guests

Alumni have borrowing privileges at all the Boston College Libraries except the Law Library. The loan period for alumni is 28 days with two renewals per item permitted. At the Educational Resource Center (ERC) alumni have borrowing privileges (excluding all educational and psychological tests) for 14 days with one renewal (28 days total).

Guests have borrowing privileges at all the Boston College Libraries except the Educational Resource Center and the Law Library. The loan period for guests is 28 days with two renewals per item. 

To obtain a borrowing card see the Guest and Alumni Borrowing page. 

Loan Periods

Format Loan Period Number of renewals 2 Loan Limits

Book

 28 days 56 days 10
Pop DVD 4 days None 2
Pop Reading 28 days None 2
Media 1 7 days 7 days 4

**Alumni/Guests are not able to check out Daily technology (iPads, Laptops, Flip Cameras), Hourly technology (Laptop chargers, Headphones, VGA Adaptors, Graphing Calculators), Print or Media course reserves, or Popular e-books. 
1: DVDs, VHS, CDs, POP DVD, laserdisks, Vinyl, Cassettes, & CD ROMS
2: Renewal Period: Most loans can be renewed an unlimited number of times during the renewal period unless recalled.  Items must be returned to the library when the renewal period expires.

Reference help

We provide in-person reference service in all libraries and offer a variety of help by subject to assist in finding more focused resources in your research area. Check our Hours for service desks staffing or Contact Us for more information.

Scanners

Scanners are available to alumni and guests at no cost. 

Remote online access for BC Alumni

We have arranged for remote access to the following databases for BC alumni:

  • Adam Matthew Primary Source Collections - digitized primary source material on a variety of topics, geographic areas, and historic periods.
  • ATLA Religion Databases - essays, book reviews, and journal articles in all disciplines related to theological and religious studies.
  • GoinGlobal - information on worldwide resources for internship and job searches. Contents include Country Career Guides, USA/Canada City Career Guides, Job Postings and Internship Listings, H1B Visa Info, and an Employer Directory.
  • JSTOR - archive journal content licensed by Boston College.
  • OECD iLibrary - the online library of the OECD including books, papers, and statistics.
  • Project MUSE - scholarly journals in the humanities and social sciences from university presses and scholarly societies.
  • The Vault - career information on a wide variety of industries and specific companies.

Login or Register for access on the BC Alumni Community Research Resources page. 

Online resources at BC

While on campus, many databases and online resources found in our Library catalog are available to walk-in users including alumni and guests. Some are restricted to current students and faculty. Call the O'Neill Library at 617-552-8038 before you visit to make sure the resource you are interested in is available. 

Online resources outside of BC

If you live in Massachusetts you are eligible for a borrowing card at your local public library which will give you remote access to databases available through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners site. If you do not live in Massachusetts consult your local public library for information about accessing databases.