Library Services for Alumni

Hope College is pleased to offer our alumni access to the VanWylen, Music, and Western Seminary Theological Libraries. We know that your needs for Hope libraries may not end when you graduate, so we would like to help support your need to use the Hope College library resources you relied on as a student.

The Alumni Library Card entitles alumni to:
Use of the materials at Van Wylen Library, the Music Library, and the Western Theological Seminary Beardslee Library.

Use of the MeL (Michigan Electronic Library) Catalog to obtain material from
participating MeL libraries throughout the state.

Circulation Policies:
Books circulate for 21 days and may be renewed. Videos, DVDs, and CDs (Hope's collection) circulate for 7 days and may not be renewed.

Periodicals, journals, and special collections such as Reference materials may
not leave the library.

Photocopies are 10 cents per copy.

A library card does NOT entitle alumni to:
Off campus access to subscription online databases.

Use of the library computers. (Guests may use library computers on the 1st floor for library research with the supervision of Reference Desk personnel.)

Wireless access.

InterLibrary Loan privileges.

Process to receive an Alumni Library Card:
The alumnus requesting a card must be a current Michigan resident and have a valid government issue ID, which they must present at the time they come in to the library to request their library card. A request may not be made over the phone or electronically.

The alumnus will need to explain to the person working at the library desk that they are a Hope alumnus, and then complete an application for a Fee Exempt Library Card.

Processing requires a two-business day turn around time in order to obtain
confirmation from the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations that the person is an alumnus, and to create his or her record in the library database before a card can be issued. The alumnus will be contacted when they can come in to pick up their library card any time that Van Wylen Library is open.

For more information, please contact the VanWylen Library at 616-395-7790.