Extended Library Access (ELA)

Submit a new ELA request for the 2025-26 academic year

If you did not have Extended Library Access (ELA) at the Health Sciences Library in a previous academic year, you need to submit a New ELA Request form. Medical students should not request ELA. Please review the guidelines below before requesting ELA.

Complete a New ELA Request form for the 2025-26 academic year (form opens in new tab)

The Health Sciences Library is pleased to offer extended library access (ELA) as a service to our visitors. ELA refers to pre-approved access to the library outside of normal library operating hours (i.e., overnight, holiday or 24-hour access to the library unless otherwise communicated) and requires an application for pre-authorized card swipe setup.

Special note for library visitors who currently have access to the 3rd floor Medical Student Zone: please do not apply for extended library access. Please follow Medical Student Zone access protocols.

Who can request ELA

Individuals in the health sciences colleges (Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, Pharmacy, Public Health, Veterinary Medicine and School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences) and others who need access to the library outside of normal library operating hours can request ELA.

Medical students with access to the HSL's Medical Student Zone should not request ELA.

How to request ELA

1. Review the ELA guidelines and policies on this page. By requesting ELA access, you are agreeing to follow all guidelines and policies. Failure to follow protocols will result in the loss of ELA and possibly the loss of library access altogether.
2. Complete and submit the ELA Request Form. Medical students with access to the HSL's Medical Student Zone should not request ELA. Applicants will receive an automated reply acknowledging receipt of the request form.
3. The HSL will strive to process your request within 7 business days, so please plan accordingly. Response times may be slightly longer during periods of heavy volume, such as the beginning of a semester.
4. You will be notified via email (from hslaccess@osumc.edu) that your ELA request has been approved. Access will automatically be added to your BuckID.

ELA is a privilege, and all university, security and library guidelines and policies must be observed. Failure to follow protocols will result in the loss of ELA and possibly the loss of library access altogether.

ELA policies and guidelines

Guidelines are in place for the safety and security of all library visitors. University security personnel will be walking the building throughout extended library hours. There are also security camera(s) in the building. Library visitors must follow all university, security and library rules at all times.

1. Each library visitor must swipe him/her/themself into the library for ELA entry. Do not swipe others in, or allow others to swipe you in. No "tailgating" (following someone in and/or holding the door open for others) is allowed under any circumstances.
2. ELA may not be available during some university holidays, breaks and home football Saturdays. Availability exceptions will be emailed in advance via hslaccess@osumc.edu to approved ELA visitors.
3. Only study spaces on the library's 3rd floor will be open during ELA. Visitors must not access any other floors in Prior Hall during ELA.
4. Study rooms are available for use during ELA hours on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are not required and 2-hour limits do not apply during ELA. Please follow all other study room policies.
5. Approved extended access requests for the academic year 2024–2025 will expire on August 24, 2025, or upon graduation or other ending affiliation with Ohio State, whichever comes first.

ELA protocol at library closing time

If you are approved for ELA and you are in the library at the end of normal operating hours (i.e., at closing time), you must first exit the library and then re-enter once library staff indicates ELA re-entry may begin. This protocol applies even if you are already in the library's 3rd floor study spaces. Visitors with access to the Medical Student Zone who wish to continue studying must proceed to the Medical Student Zone and remain there until 15 minutes after closing.

• Follow all closing announcements and instructions from library staff.
• Gather all your belongings to exit the library.
• Proceed to the library lobby (the space by the 1st floor vending machines) and wait there until library staff announces that ELA re-entry is permitted.
• Swipe to re-enter the library.
• Only study spaces on the library's 3rd floor will be open during ELA hours. Visitors must not access any other floors in Prior Hall during ELA.

Failure to follow protocols will result in the loss of ELA and possibly the loss of library access altogether.