The Kinsey Institute library is a private research collection. To use the materials of the library and collections, please read the guidelines below.

• Who can use the library?
• How do I apply to use the library?
• Are there any fees?
• How do I find items in the library?
• Can I check out materials, and do you lend?
• What are the restrictions on materials and their use?
• May I photocopy materials?
• What are library hours?

Any qualified researcher may request access, including university faculty, other scholars, professionals, and university students at least 18 years old, with demonstrable research needs related to human sexuality, gender, and reproduction.

All non-Indiana University Bloomington students as well as faculty and other researchers not affiliated with Indiana University Bloomington must contact the library in advance (libknsy@indiana.edu) to confirm admittance, dates and times of visits, and collection use. The summer schedule, in particular, fills quickly and users will be scheduled on a first come first served basis.

Indiana University Students, Faculty, and Staff:
Indiana University students, faculty, and staff should bring with them a valid Indiana University ID or appropriate documentation of their current affiliation. Visiting Scholars at Indiana University should be referred to the Institute by their sponsoring department. Use of archival, art, artifact, photography, and film materials must be scheduled in advance of each visit.

Non-Indiana University Students:
Faculty advisor or course instructor should send a letter or email (libknsy@indiana.edu) to the library asking that his or her student be granted access to The Kinsey Institute Library. The letter should include the student's name, the course name and number, and the faculty member's signature. Instructors wishing a large group or entire class to use the library and/or special collections should contact User Services to make arrangements. Use of archival, art, artifact, photography, and film materials must be scheduled in advance of each visit.

Faculty and other Researchers not affiliated with Indiana University:
Submit a letter describing their credentials, the research project and needs, and the intended purpose of the research. Researchers may be asked to provide additional documentation, such as a curriculum vitae and the name of a reference or institutional affiliation. Use of archival, art, artifact, photography, and film materials must be scheduled in advance of each visit.

All first-time users must show photo identification and fill out a registration form upon arrival. For more details about registration and library rules, please see the Registration & Rules page.

There is no fee for consulting reading room materials and catalogs. A fee usually applies for the use of the collections and consultation of other materials:

Fee waivers may be arranged at the discretion of the Director on a case-by-case basis when scholars have special expertise to contribute to the development of the collections or when they are collaborating with the Institute on a project.

You can currently search for items in the library using KICAT, a catalog containing many items in the library. We are working on adding additional items to KICAT, and we will also add bibliographies and collections guides (finding aids) in the future. For more, please read Finding Items in the Library.

Materials must all be used within the reading room of the library, and they do not circulate to other libraries.

In general, materials may only be photocopied for academic or professional research purposes. Certain materials, such as those that are fragile, may have to be reviewed by a library staff member to determine whether they can be copied. Please read the full Photocopy Policy for additional details.

Use of the collections is governed by legal and donor restrictions, confidentiality and privacy requirements, and Institute policies. The library stacks and other collection areas are not open to browsing. For more information on use of library materials, please see our Rules Regarding the Use of Materials and our full Photocopy Policy.

The Kinsey Institute Library is normally open Monday through Friday, 9 am - 12 noon and 1-5 pm when Indiana University classes are in session. At other times, the library is usually open by appointment. We recommend that visitors check the schedule before visiting the library.

All those coming from a distance are advised to contact the library well in advance to confirm admittance, dates and times of visits, and collection use.

In addition, use of archival, art, artifact, photography, and film materials must be scheduled in advance of each visit. This is necessary to ensure that space and staff will be available.