On-site visitors with a current ID from a college, university, or high school may access online collections for academic research by visiting any VCU library. All users must comply with VCU Libraries computer resources regulations and VCU Computer and Network Resources Use Policy. To ensure that non-VCU researchers can obtain needed access to our licensed online research tools, we offer the following options:
1) Access to resources via VCU Guest Wireless network
Visitors with their own wireless-enabled devices may use the VCU Guest Wireless network in library facilities to access the majority of VCU Libraries online resources. Details on how to create a free guest wifi account are located below under "on-campus wireless." Most licensed content prohibits commercial use of any kind.
2) Eduroam
Visitors from other research organizations or educational institutions may use the Eduroam network to access the majority of VCU Libraries online resources while visiting library facilities.
3) Daily courtesy access at guest-only computers
- At Cabell and Health Sciences Libraries, non-VCU academic researchers may request one hour of access at our guest-only computer stations by showing an ID issued by a university and/or by verifying current enrollment.
- At the Health and Wellness Library in the VCU Medical Center Gateway Building, patients, their family members, VCU and VCU Health System students and employees may request one hour of computer access by showing a photo ID. Priority is given to patients and their family members; printing is limited to patients and family members only.
- VCU Libraries staff will issue a one-time password to log into a guest computer; access is limited to one 60 minute session per day at Cabell and Health Sciences libraries. Guests at the Health and Wellness Library are given a 30 minute session and may request a 30 minute extension. Guests must be logged in within 10 minutes of a scheduled reservation, and must be onsite to request access at all locations.
4) Privileges for VCU Alumni Association Members
VCU alumni can access online resources while in VCU Libraries by obtaining an electronic ID that will also allow access to in-building library computers. To be eligible, VCU alumni must have completed a degree program at VCU or at one of its predecessor institutions, Richmond Professional Institute or the Medical College of Virginia.
- Alumni must first register online with the VCU Office of Alumni Relations.
- Once registered with VCU Alumni, alumni can request library privileges.
- After activation of borrowing privileges, alumni can request a desktop computer login; processing may take several weeks.
- Alumni with their own wireless-enabled devices may use the VCU Guest Wireless network in library facilities to access the majority of VCU Libraries online resources. Details on how to create a free guest wifi account are located below in the box labeled "on-campus wireless." Most licensed content prohibits commercial use of any kind.
5) Friends of VCU Libraries
Friends of VCU Libraries donors at the $100 a year or more level can access online resources while in VCU Libraries by obtaining an electronic ID that will allow access to in-building library computers.
- Friends must first donate to activate borrowing privileges.
- After activation of borrowing privileges, Friends can request an electronic ID; processing may take several weeks.
- Friends of VCU Libraries with their own wireless-enabled devices may use the VCU Guest Wireless network in library facilities to access the majority of VCU Libraries online resources. Details on how to create a free guest wifi account are located below in the box labeled "on-campus wireless." Most licensed content prohibits commercial use of any kind.
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