Who Can Use Lane Library

Who We Serve

This page outlines who can access our resources and services. Below is a breakdown of library access for different user groups.

Full Access

Stanford Medicine Faculty, Students, and Staff, Including GME Residents and Fellows

You have full access to Lane Library resources and services.

Full access includes:

Access to licensed resources
Borrowing
Library building access
Research Services
DocXpress Document Delivery Service (separate registration required)

Learn more about the services you can access

Stanford Medicine Health Care Employees

You have full access to Lane Library resources and services.

Full access includes:

Access to licensed resources
Borrowing (registration required)
Library building access
Research Services
DocXpress Document Delivery Service (separate registration required)

Learn more about the services you can access

Stanford Medicine Children's Health Employees

You have full access to Lane Library resources and services.

Full access includes:

Access to licensed resources
Borrowing (registration required)
Library building access
Research Services
DocXpress Document Delivery Service (separate registration required)

Learn more about the services you can access

Stanford University Faculty, Students, and Staff

You have full access to Lane Library resources and services.

Full access includes:

Access to licensed resources
Borrowing (registration required)
Library building access
Research Services
Interlibrary loan services are available through Stanford Libraries.

Learn more about the services you can access

Limited Access

Stanford Medicine Alumni

You have limited library access with a Lane Library Guest Card.

Limited access includes:

Library building access
Borrowing up to 25 items
On-site computer access to use licensed digital resources (staff assistance needed)

Important: Alumni cannot access licensed resources remotely due to vendor contracts.

Stanford Courtesy Card Holders

You have limited library access with an active Stanford University Courtesy Card.

Limited access includes:

Library building access
Borrowing up to 25 items
On-site computer access to use licensed digital resources (staff assistance needed)

Spouses and Children of Stanford Medicine Affiliates

Spouses, domestic partners, and children of eligible Stanford Medicine affiliates may be eligible for a Lane Library Guest Card. Learn more about how to register for a guest card and what library access is available for guest card holders.

No Access

General Public and Non-Affiliates

You do not have access to our resources, services, or library spaces. Please consult our alternative options for suggestions on how to access the information and resources you need.

Our Services Include

Borrowing

You can borrow materials from Lane Library, including books, journals, equipment, exam prep materials, and course reserves. Stanford Healthcare & Children’s Health employees must first register to borrow materials.

Learn more about borrowing

Access Licensed Resources

To avoid paywalls, log in to the library’s website with your credentials (SUNet ID, SID/Epic ID, or Stanford Children's ID). Remote Off-campus access to library resources is only available to current faculty, students, and staff of Stanford University and Stanford Medicine (School of Medicine, Stanford Medicine Health Care, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health).

Accessing Licensed Resources

DocXpress Document Delivery Service

Need an article you do not have digital access to through Lane Library or a book that is not part of our library collections? Through DocXpress, we will obtain digital copies of articles, scan articles we only have available in print, and borrow physical books from other libraries on your behalf. You must register for a DocXpress account to use this service.

Learn more about DocXpress

Research Services

Work with our Research and Instruction team for expert assistance with literature searches, data services, and publishing & research impact services. Take a class, book a consultation, or reach out to your liaison librarian to get started.

Learn more about research services

Library Spaces

You can use library spaces for studying, computing, and printing. Present an active Stanford University, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford Health Care, or Stanford Children’s Health identification badge at the Information Desk to access the Lane Medical Library building.

Learn about Library Spaces

Help & Guides

Reach out to our library team for help via email or live chat. You can also explore our library guides for resource recommendations and self-guided help.

Get Help

Lane Library Guest Cards

Who Can Apply?

You can apply for a free Lane Library Guest card if you are a:

Stanford School of Medicine (SOM) alumni
Former Stanford Graduate Medical Education (GME) resident
Spouse, domestic partner, or child of an eligible Stanford Medicine affiliate

Where To Apply

You can apply for a guest card at the Lane Library Information Desk. To register for a guest card as a spouse, domestic partner, or child, both you and the eligible Stanford Medicine affiliate must be present.

Expiration & Renewal

Lane Library Guest cards are only valid at Lane Medical Library. All guest cards expire on January 31st each year regardless of the date of original registration. Expired cards can be renewed by completing an updated registration form on your next visit to the library.

In-person library services with a guest card

Library building access
Borrowing up to 25 items
On-site computer access to use licensed digital resources (staff assistance needed)

Person walking into Lane Library and being greeted by library staff at information desk

Questions about Lane Library Guest cards?

Alternative Options

two blurred people walking up and down library stairs

If you are part of the general public and not affiliated with Stanford or Stanford Medicine, you do not have access to Lane Library. Below are some alternative options to access library resources and services based on your need.

Patients and Families Seeking Health Information

If you are looking for health information for you or your family, we recommend consulting the following resources:

Campus Visitors

While Lane Medical Library is not open to campus visitors, our colleagues at the Stanford Libraries system offer limited visitor access to other select campus libraries. Please see Stanford Libraries’ Visitor Access webpage for more information.

Researchers and Students from Other Institutions or Libraries

If you need to borrow digital or print materials from our collection, please contact the interlibrary loan services offered by your institution or local library. Lane Library accepts requests only from institutions and libraries via Docline and OCLC.

Medical History Researchers

The Stanford Medical History Center is open to the public by appointment only and welcomes everyone interested in medical history. The Medical History Center collects and maintains materials related to the history of health care, medical research, and medical education at Stanford and beyond. Please see the Stanford Medical History Center website for additional information about the collections and how to make an appointment

Need Help Finding What You’re Looking For?

We’re here to support you! Contact our library team for help through email, chat, by phone, or in-person at the library. Learn about all the ways we can offer assistance.

Get Help