The Academy of Art University Library is committed to facilitating the research of our students, faculty, staff and alumni. We are not open to the general public. There are, however, certain exceptions of admittance outside of the AAU community:

  • AAU Admissions tours
  • Library vendor representatives
  • Library vendor technical support team members
  • People accompanied by an AAU faculty or staff member
  • Special events sponsored by the library
  • Family of students who wish to briefly see the library
  • Library job interviewees

The library will do our best to notify campus hosts of any expected visitors before they arrive. We request and encourage campus hosts to call the library (415-618-3842) if there is ever any question of whether or not a guest should be allowed in.

Visiting Researchers

Individuals with a legitimate research interest can request temporary access to our collection for use in the library only. Guest library users will not be given borrowing privileges and are subject to all library use policies. Guest access, if permitted, will only be during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters. During high usage periods we reserve the right to limit guest access to materials that are priorities for students and faculty.

Interested parties must fill out the Guest Researcher Application for the Library Director to review. You can submit the application electronically or print and fill out this form. Leave the completed form at the 180 New Montgomery Security Desk, fax it to 415-618-3981, or mail it to:

Academy of Art University Library
ATTN: Library Director
79 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

Requestors will be notified in writing of the Library Director’s decision within 10 days.

Auditions in the Library:

The library has rooms available for use by students and faculty. The library allows auditions to be hosted in these rooms only if all parties involved belong to the AAU community. If students are holding auditions involving the public, they must book space at 466 Townsend by speaking with an MPT representative in that building or calling 415-618-6448. This must be done at least two weeks in advance per executive office approval.