Visitors are welcome to call or drop by to ask about University services and special events. The information desk stocks a variety of brochures, maps, sports schedules, and literature about the University and the Chicago area. On the main level. The University maintains an extensive library system to support its programs of study and research. The system includes the University Library, three other libraries on the Evanston campus, and four libraries on the Chicago campus.
Total holdings are more than three million volumes.
The University Library Committee, composed of faculty and students appointed annually, serves as an advisory body to the University librarian. The Evanston campus collections in humanities, history, and social sciences, including the Music and Transportation Libraries, are housed in the University Library and the adjoining Charles Deering Library. During evening and most weekend hours, use of the main library, Deering, and the science-engineering library is limited to Northwestern students, faculty, and staff and to others who are affiliated with the University. Users are required to present their current Northwestern identification cards to gain admittance to these libraries during the hours of limited access. Lost cards should be reported immediately to the WildCARD Office at Norris Center and then to the Library Privileges Desk.