Guest & Alumni Access

Guest & Alumni Access

Any visitors to the Learning Commons who are not current Springfield College students, faculty, or staff are considered guests. This includes Springfield College alumni, retired Springfield College faculty and staff, and members of our community.

Building Access

Guests are permitted to use the 1st and 2nd floors of the Learning Commons between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days per week. The 3rd and 4th floors of the Learning Commons are reserved for current Springfield College students, faculty and staff only. 

After 5 p.m. the Learning Commons is only open to Springfield College students, faculty and staff, and Springfield College ID cards are required for building access.

Please see the Library Hours page for additional details and holiday hours.

At the request of the Springfield Public School Department, high school students will only be allowed to use the library after 3 p.m. when Springfield Public Schools are in session.

Computer and Network Access

Guests may access the Springfield College WiFi network with their own laptops or mobile devices. Please contact the Technology Services Center for information about guest WiFi access.

While the community is welcome to use the WiFi on the 1st and 2nd floors of the Learning Commons, the desktop computers on the 2nd floor require a Springfield College login and are reserved for Springfield College students, faculty and staff. There are no printing or faxing capabilities for library guests.

Resources and Services

The following Library Services resources are available to Learning Commons guests:

• Online catalog - Search for books and DVDs. Eligible guest borrowers may check out items in limited quantities.

• Databases - Search for scholarly articles or research a topic (only available in the library).

• Research assistance - Get help with your research needs at the Information Desk, or Ask the Library.

• Interlibrary loan services are not available to library guests. Guests may contact their local public library and ask about Document Delivery services. More information about this service can be found on the Massachusetts Library System website.

Additionally, all Massachusetts residents can obtain a Library eCard from the Boston Public Library which will allow access to all electronic resources licensed by the BPL. For more information and to register for an eCard, visit the Boston Public Library website.

Borrowing Privileges 

In order to borrow books & DVDs, you need an email address and a photo ID (driver’s license or state ID). Guests eligible to borrow items from the library include:

• Springfield College Alumni
• Springfield College Affiliates:
  • Retired College employees - faculty and staff
  • Supervising Practitioners
  • Springfield College Learning in Later Life members
  • Residents of Reeds Landing
• Students attending eligible area universities and colleges:
  • American International College
  • Bay Path College
  • Elms College
  • Holyoke Community College
  • Springfield Technical Community College
  • Western New England University
  • Westfield State University

• Western MA residents

Eligible guests can register for borrowing privileges here. Registration expires (1) one year from the date of issue. Please see our Borrowing Policy for more information about guest borrowing privileges.