Tours

• Check out books and bound periodicals with your Stanford ID.
• Request items that faculty have placed on reserve for their classes to read. Note: If your teacher has placed non-print items such as films or recordings on reserve, those are located in the Media-Microtext Center downstairs. Search the Reserves Catalog linked to the Stanford University Libraries homepage for the call numbers of items on reserve.
• Fill out search forms for library materials missing from the shelves.
• Pick up items you've paged from Stanford Auxiliary Library (SAL).
• Look for lost items or turn items you find.

• Check out a locker.
• Sign up for a study carrel (for graduate students and faculty only--check with Privileges to see if you are eligible).
• Pay fines.
• Obtain extended privileges (for visitors).
• Seek help with purchasing copy/print cards. Note: the DART machine for adding money to your Stanford ID or copy card is across from Privileges.

Near the DART machine are two slots for returning library books or reserves. Make sure the reserves go in the correct slot (the one on your left, when facing the return slots) because the fines are greater for them.

Across from the Loan Desk are 3 photocopy machines. They work with cash or copy cards. You will find others throughout the library. There is no change in the library.

• Library research or using the online catalog (Socrates), finding articles in databases or using government documents.
• Finding the online request form for items not at Stanford through Interlibrary Services. Rreferrals to a subject specialist for more advanced research questions.
• Handouts, including the map of the libraries on campus, the libraries' hours, shelving locations guide, and floorplans for other parts of Green Library.
• Much, much more.

Also behind the Information Center desk is a collection of some 300 newspapers from around the United States and throughout the world.

Newspapers from US & Canada are on the shelves closest to the IC Desk, a selection of international newspapers are on the other low shelves, and the rest of the newspapers, organized by continent, country and city, are shelved behind the periodical display shelves.

Back issues of many titles can be found on microfilm in the Media-Microtext Center downstairs.

• View a film, borrow a DVD overnight, or look at media a teacher has put on reserve (current Stanford ID required).
• Look at old newspapers or publications on microfilm/microfiche. You'll find microtext reader/printers and equipment to capture an electronic image if you wish.

Jonsson Library of Government Documents

Jonsson Library Floor Plans (West Wing Stack Levels I, II and Basement)

The main entrance to the Jonsson Library faces the SSRC Information Kiosk.  Collections and Resources are described below:

• Publications from: U.S. Federal and California state agencies; United Nations, and Organization of American States.
• An extensive microform collection includes: Statistical publications from U.S. federal agencies, California state agencies, and international organizations, United Nations historical documents; U.S. Congressional and Senate historical documents, reports and hearings; California agency publications; and documents from a selection of international organizations.
• The Jonsson Library CD-ROM collection of bibliographic and full-text databases are available from dedicated computers, located adjacent to the SSRC Information Kiosk.

The Jonsson Social Sciences Reading Room

Map of the Jonsson Social Sciences Reading Room (PDF)

The Jonsson Reading Room houses an array of reference collections that include:

• Scholarly encyclopedias, handbooks, dictionaries, directories and guides supporting advanced research in the social sciences and government documents.
• Statistical yearbooks from foreign governments, historical statistical compilations, current country studies and handbooks, and finding aids and guides for United States and British government agency archives.
• Current core journals in the social sciences.
• Circulating collections: Classic texts; Center for the Study of Language and Information; new and notable books.

Computers in the Jonsson Reading Room provide an array of Stanford’s social science and other online resources and applications that include quantitative and qualitative software for research and instruction.  A Stanford University SUNet ID and password is required for computer access. 

The Lane Reading Room offers printed reference collections and specific "mini-collections" devoted to important topical areas, including collections of Stanford History, California history, new fiction, new scholarly books in the humanities, digital culture and humanities computing.

The Lane Reading Room houses the Humanities Digital Information Service, which provides access to SUL/AIR's growing electronic text and image collections in the humanities.

There are public computer clusters at both ends of the Lane Room, with a rich suite of software applications. The cluster to the right of the main doors includes a few specially configured computers, including a high-end Macintosh and a Windows machine adapted for use of digital resources in Arabic, Persian and Turkish languages.

Also to the right is the entrance to a room with printers and photocopy machines. Along the south wall of the room are the Stanford University Presidential Portraits.

Special Collections and University Archives

At the other end of the Peterson Gallery is the Field Room, a proctored reading room that houses Special Collections and University Archives. The collections consist of rare works, manuscripts and materials related to the history of Stanford. Some special collections include non-print materials.

Materials are paged once a day for use in the room. Researchers must sign in, then place all personal belongings in lockers just outside the reading room. No pens, only pencils may be used in the room.

Bender Room

When you exit the Field Room, turn right and head toward the Bing Wing elevator. Take it to the 5th floor (Don't push W-5) to see the Bender Room. As you exit the elevator, walk straight ahead. The Bender Room will be on your left.

The Bender Room, with its wonderful views of the Quad, offers comfortable seating and a quiet atmosphere for study, leisure reading, and reflection.

The non-circulating collection includes classic works in a wide variety of subjects. For each work there should be a circulating copy elsewhere in the Stanford University Library.

The books are arranged by call numbers located on the front cover of each, rather than the spine.

West Portal

Please Remember

We have an outstanding collection, but we need your help to protect and preserve it.

• Please do not mark or deface materials.
• Please do not bring food or drink to the library; even minute crumbs can attract insects who will then move on to nibble the books.
• If you find something that needs mending, please take it to the Loan Desk or Media-Microtext Desk, depending on the format.

• Turn your cell phones off, and step outside the library if you need to make a call.
• If you are working on a group project, find a group study room. These are available on a first come basis, with groups having priority over individuals.