External researchers

Direct borrowers |  Research readers  |  Other

Purchase either the Direct Borrower or the Research Reader card at the Robarts Library Reader Registration desk.

Direct borrower

Eligibility

Graduate students, faculty or staff from other Canadian universities with valid home university identification

Cost

Expires yearly on September 30th. Cost is pro-rated depending on the time of year purchased:

Twelve months (purchased Sept. - Nov.)
$310
Nine months (purchased Dec. - Feb.)
$268
Six months (purchased Mar. - May)
$196
Three months (purchased Jun. - Aug.) 
$124
Annual for seniors (65+)
Expires 12 months from date of purchase.
$135

Privileges

Privileges may vary at individual libraries.

Please note that the Direct Borrower card does NOT include the following:

  • Access to interlibrary loan services
  • Remote access to U of T Libraries' online databases due to licensing restrictions.
  • Wifi access

Research reader

Eligibility

  • Our borrowing plan for researchers unaffiliated with a university
  • Please note that undergraduates or pre-undergraduate students are ineligible for this plan

Cost

Annual$310
Annual for seniors (65+)$135
Six months$196
Three months$124

Privileges

Privileges may vary at individual libraries.

  • Borrow up to 100 books at once
  • 14 day loan period, renewable anytime up to 42 days
  • Request up to 25 books for library pick-up at once
  • Access to stacks, computing, and facilities
  • Access to interlibrary loan services – $30 per request
  • Renew your membership online (valid UTORid required)
  • On-site access to most of the University of Toronto Libraries’ online databases

Please note that the Research Reader card does NOT include the following:

  • Remote access to the U of T Libraries' online databases due to licensing restrictions.
  • Wifi access 

Other cards

–Updated August 30, 2024