Visitors not directly affiliated with The Catholic University of America are welcome to use the on-site collections and facilities of the University Libraries. Services include information assistance from library staff and on-site use of online resources and print collections.

A valid photo ID with an expiration date must be presented to enter the John K. Mullen of Denver Memorial Library. Members of the Catholic University community may swipe their Cardinal Cards at the gate for access. All other visitors must sign in.

All bags are subject to inspection upon exiting the library. An accessible entrance is located at the rear of the building.

  • Parking

    Visitors may park in metered parking spaces or obtain a visitor's parking permit at myparking.catholic.edu.

    Metered visitor parking is available in front of Mullen Library and along the east side of the lot next to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. These spaces are meter-only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, including holidays. Outside these hours, anyone with an active University parking permit may park in metered spaces at no charge. 

    Vehicles with state-issued handicapped tags or placards are exempt from fees.

    For more information about parking on or near campus, visit parking.catholic.edu.

  • Food and Drink Policy

    Beverages in twist-top bottles or spill-proof containers are permitted. Light snacks are allowed. Alcohol is prohibited in the University Libraries. Please read Food and Drink Policy for more details.

    Vending machines are located on the Garden Level of Mullen Library. A cafeteria, food court, and convenience store are located in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center , and several restaurants are located along the 600 and 700 blocks of Monroe Street NE.

  • Children in the Libraries

    Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the University Libraries. Library staff may not be asked to monitor unattended children. For more information, please see the Children in Libraries Policy.

  • Public Computer Use Guidelines

    Kiosk computers are available for all library users, including visitors not affiliated with the university, in the lobby of Mullen Library. Please note that office productivity applications (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) are not available on these computers. Printing is not available from these kiosks. Please observe the following:

    • The public computers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, during periods of heavy use, priority will be given to students, faculty, and staff of the University followed by visiting researchers.
    • The viewing of pornographic material is prohibited in the University Libraries.
    • The University is not responsible for any loss or damage of data at the public computers, including loss or damage due to network interruptions or the use of external data storage devices. Library staff cannot assist with the recovery of lost data.
    • Library staff will not make any changes to the public computers' settings or configurations. The computers must be used as-is.
    • There is no printing available to the general public.

  • Printing and Scanning

    A Catholic University network login is required to print from computers in the University Libraries. There is no printing available to the general public.

    Scanners are available on all three floors of Mullen Library. Visitors may scan to email.

  • Unattended Items

    Do not leave backpacks, laptops, purses, or valuables unattended. Items left unattended may be turned over to the Department of Public Safety.

  • Study Spaces

    All visitors to the John K. Mullen of Denver Memorial Library are welcome to use the study spaces available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Study spaces cannot be reserved. Unless otherwise posted, the study spaces in Mullen Library allow a different level of noise depending upon the floor. Talking is permitted on the first and second floors. The third floor is silent-study only.