During the academic year, visitors are welcome to visit the library building between 8 AM and 9 PM Monday through Thursday, from 8 AM to 6 PM on Fridays, from 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays, and from 10 AM to 9 PM on Sundays. Hours are different during summer, intersessions, and holidays; please check our hours or contact the AU Library at 202-885-3232 for more information. Weather-related closures or adjustments to opening/closing times will also be posted on the AU Library homepage.

Visitors may use Bender Library to access select databases and electronic resources and receive professional help from reference librarians and subject specialists. Visitors are also welcome to read or use any of the books in our collection while within the library building.

Internet Access

To access the internet and AU's electronic resources on a University Library computer, you will need to show a valid government-issued photo ID at the Information Desk.

Visitor Borrowing Privileges

AU offers two different options for individuals/groups to purchase borrowing privileges from our library. Account creation and update services are available onsite Monday-Thursday: 9am-7pm, Friday: 9am-5pm, and Sat and Sun: 11am-5pm (unless the library is closed or closes earlier than those times).

• Friends of AU Library Book Borrowing Program: The Friends of American University Library Book Borrowing Program enables individuals who are not affiliated with AU to borrow books from the library's general collections. Purchasing this membership (form also available at the Circulation and Course Reserves Desk) will allow an individual to borrow up to 25 books for 4 weeks at a time with renewal available, unless the items are recalled or requested. Access to items from other libraries in the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) is not available.

  Access to electronic resources (e.g., databases, e-books) is not included with this membership. Some databases can be accessed while onsite in the library building, without needing a borrowing account, by obtaining login information from the Information Desk. Access to the library building is only available during visitor hours.

  Pricing for this program is as follows:

  • 1 year membership - $400
  • 3-month membership - $200

  Membership fees are payable by credit card only. The University Library is unable to offer refunds for membership fees.

• Group Associate Book Borrowing Program: Commercial, nonprofit, and governmental organizations can purchase group borrowing privileges (form also available at the Circulation and Course Reserves Desk) for their members or employees. Groups may borrow AU books for 4 weeks with renewal available, unless the items are recalled or requested. Items from the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) are not able to be requested or checked out.

  Access to electronic resources (e.g., databases, e-books) is not included with this membership. Some databases can be accessed while onsite at the library, without needing a borrowing account, after obtaining login information from the Information Desk. Access to the library building is only available during visitor hours.

  Membership includes one borrowing card, but additional cards may also be purchased. The primary account holder is responsible for all items on the account and any subsequent fines/fees associated with them. The primary account holder must also be present when checking items out. However, if additional cards are purchased, the cardholder(s) can check out items without the primary account holder present. ID will still be needed.

  Pricing for this program is as follows:

  • Commercial Organizations:
    • 1 year membership: $1200 ($200 each additional card)
    • 3-month membership: $600 ($100 each additional card)
  • Nonprofit and Governmental Organizations (must be registered with the IRS):
    • 1 year membership: $600 ($100 each additional card)
    • 3-month membership: $300 ($50 each additional card) 

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at AU

Members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at American University have borrowing privileges for up to 25 books at one time from the library's general collections. The loan period for books is 4 weeks with renewal available unless books are recalled or requested.

OLLI instructors may also borrow certain DVD titles for class use. This is restricted to low use and easily replaceable titles and requires the prior approval of Media Services.

Visiting / OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program

American University Library participates in the OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program. Visiting faculty from participating libraries are eligible to borrow from our general collection. Faculty must pre-register for an identification card at their home institution before coming to AU to set up their account. Please email circulation@american.edu with any questions about this program or the account creation process.