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Olin Level 3

Olin Library Level 3 is temporarily closed through the summer. See the Carpet Replacement on Level 3 of the Olin Library article to learn more about this project.

Tours & Field Trips

A tour group looking at collection materials in the Special Collections Reading Room.

Tours are available to school and adult groups interested in learning more about John M. Olin Library. Availability is contingent on the capacity of staff and library spaces, which varies throughout the year.

If you would like to request a tour, please review the options below and fill out the Tours & Field Trips Interest Form at least 30 days before your visit. A Libraries staff member will respond to your request within 10 business days to make the arrangements.

Please note: For K-12 student groups, WashU Libraries requires 1 adult per group of 4 students for sixth grade and below, and 1 adult for every 10 students for seventh grade and up.

Current WashU faculty and staff should contact the subject librarian for their department to coordinate a guided visit to Olin Library. If you require library instruction, please visit our Instruction page to learn more.

Tours & Field Trips Interest Form

Tour Types

Tour options may also be combined for a more comprehensive review of bibliographic research, data resources, or special collections primary research methods.

A general tour focused on John M. Olin Library with an overview of the building’s history and interesting features, including current exhibitions on view.

Approximate time required: 1 hour

This tour will provide information and assistance on conducting research at an academic library, such as identifying primary or secondary sources, leveraging databases, navigating the stacks, and using other relevant research tools.

Approximate Time required: 1-2 hours (may vary based on group size and other factors)

This tour will focus on computationally intensive research tools, services, and spaces, such as capturing digital 3D data in the Data and Visualization Exploration (DaVE) Studio, exploring research and creativity in the Audiovisual, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality (AVA) Studio, or seeing the resources available in the hybrid Research Studio lab.

Approximate time required: 1-2 hours

This option can also be combined with the Research Discovery Tour for a more comprehensive review of research methods and data services resources.

Visit the Julian Edison Department of Special Collections for an overview of our collecting areas, special collections spaces, and current exhibitions.

If you would like to bring a class in to view materials from Special Collections, please see our Instruction Page for more details.

Approximate time required: 1-2 hours (may vary based on group size and other factors)

Visiting Olin Library

Visitors are welcome at Olin Library during open hours. Please stop by to peruse our spaces and current exhibitions at your own pace.

Maps & Directions

Review maps of our locations and get details about directions, parking, and other key visitor info.

Library Hours

A full listing of all WashU Libraries locations and hours of operation.
Exterior roof of the Olin Library with a yellow ginkgo tree.

Self-Guided Tour

Check out our Self-Guided Tour for more information about the spaces and services available in the John M. Olin Library.

Self-Guided Tour of John M. Olin Library