Information for Guests, Alumni, Retirees and Emeriti
University Libraries provides a variety of services and resources to guests, alumni, and retired Western Michigan University faculty and staff. Guests include community members and students from area schools, colleges and community colleges.
Access to online resources
Our subscription agreements limit most of our online resources to current Western Michigan University students, faculty and staff only. However, many of our online resources are available to visitors when using a computer workstation on Waldo Library's first floor.
Michigan residents can also use eResources through Michigan eLibrary.
Access to onsite materials
Guests not affiliated with Western can visit Waldo Library and use items off the shelves. Guests that live within a 50-mile radius of Western Michigan University and are at least 18 years of age may obtain a guest borrower's card and borrow up to 10 items, excluding course reserve and audio/video items.
Visitors to Zhang Legacy Collections Center may request to use any of the items in our archives, regional history and special collections. These materials must be used at Zhang and cannot be checked out. If you would like your materials available upon arrival, contact the Center in advance.
Some items from our other collections are held in storage at Zhang Legacy Collections Center. Anyone with a guest borrower's card or active Bronco Card may check out these items from Zhang.
Alumni
Western alumni in good standing may obtain a guest borrower's card. Verification of alumni status may be required.
Retirees and emeriti
Western retirees and emeriti retain a permanent Bronco Card. This card can be used to check out materials from Waldo Library as long as the card remains active. Retirees and emeriti can also request items from another library through Interlibrary Loan using their Bronco NetID and password. An annual password change is required to retain account access.
Rooms and spaces
All of the open spaces in our library locations are available for guests, alumni, retirees and emeriti to use. Most of our rooms are reserved for use by current Western students, faculty and staff only.
Our Virtual Reality Lab at Waldo Library is open to the public on a walk-in basis only. A release form must be signed in order to use the VR equipment. A parent or guardian must sign the form for a minor.
If you are interested in bringing a class or group to visit one of our locations, please complete our Class and Group Visit Request form.
Computing and printing
Guests, alumni, and retired faculty and staff may sign in to the public computers at Waldo Library using a guest account. Stop by the service desk in the first-floor lobby to request a username and password. Public computers provide internet access via the guest account.
Wireless network access is available to everyone. The WMU Guest network is available for visitors of the University who do not have a Bronco NetID.
Onsite printing is not available for guests, alumni, or retired faculty and staff.
Emeriti
Western emeriti can use their Bronco NetID and password to log in to public computers. Account service will continue indefinitely as long as the required annual password change is made. Emeriti also receive a limited number of print credits each semester that can be used to print at release stations within Waldo Library.
Events
University Libraries provides events on a variety of subjects throughout the year that are open to the public. See our events calendar for upcoming events.
Hours
Waldo Library is open to the public before 8 p.m. on most days. An active Bronco Card is required to enter Waldo Library when it's open after 8 p.m. Check Waldo Library hours before you visit.
Zhang Legacy Collections Center is open to the public anytime during open hours. Check Zhang hours before you visit.
Retirees and emeriti
Western retirees retain a permanent Bronco Card. This card can be used to enter Waldo Library after 8 p.m. as long as the card remains active.
Parking
Visitor parking for Waldo Library is available in the four metered spaces in Lot 71, which is the circle drive in front of Moore Hall, or in any other metered space on campus. Payment at a meter can be made with U.S. quarters or through the ParkMobile app. Guest permits are also available and can be purchased at the Parking Services office or online.
Zhang Legacy Collections Center visitors may park in the two free guest parking spaces (designated with signs) in Lot 108, north of the building. All other spaces require a WMU permit or a day pass. Purchase a day pass inside the building for $5 per day.
Parking permits are not required on Western's campus from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays and from 4 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. Monday.
Retirees and emeriti
Western retirees and emeriti retain a WMU virtual parking permit that allows parking in any lot marked "R". This permit will remain valid as long as the required annual renewal of the parking permit is completed.