Visit Us
Open and freely accessible to the public. You are invited to visit the main reading room, exhibition galleries, and satellite reading room to discover the collections.
Overview
The Hoover Institution Library & Archives is located on the campus of Stanford University in Stanford, California. Its holdings are accessible in person via the main reading room, located in the Herbert Hoover Memorial Building, and viewable in rotating exhibitions in Hoover Tower. Our L&A in DC office provides free access to a selection of our digital collections not available online.
Please expect potential modifications to our hours of operation during the year as we may be impacted by staffing shortages or Stanford University, county, and state requirements in response to COVID-19.
Library & Archives Reading Rooms
The Hoover Institution Library & Archives supports a vibrant community of scholars interested in the meaning and role of history and is open to anyone. The collections, however, contain much that is rare, fragile, or covered under copyright, therefore the major part of Hoover Institution’s research resources are only accessible within the reading room at Stanford University. Access to select digital content is also available at the L&A in DC office. Registration and reservations are required.
Main Reading Room
Herbert Hoover Memorial Building
434 Galvez Mall,
Stanford, CA 94305
Get Directions
Accessibility Directions
L&A in DC Office
Hoover Tower
Hoover Tower is the historic home of the Library & Archives and the Lou Henry Hoover Observation Deck and Carillon. Visitors can view portions of the collection in the ground floor exhibition galleries and see the historic Belgian carillon on the 14th floor observation deck, which also offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The central floors of the tower contain offices and purpose built stacks which hold part of the Library & Archives collections, but are closed to the public.
Exhibition Galleries
550 Jane Stanford Way,
Stanford, CA 94305
Get Directions
Accessibility Directions
Observation Deck & Carillon
550 Jane Stanford Way,
Stanford, CA 94305
Get Directions
Accessibility Directions
Maps & Parking
Located on the campus of Stanford University, the Hoover Institution Library & Archives is situated southeast of the Stanford Oval and across Jane Stanford Way from the Memorial Auditorium. Visitors to Hoover Tower can view the exhibition galleries and a popular observation deck on the 14th floor. Next door is the Herbert Hoover Memorial Building, which houses the main reading room on the ground floor, as well as Stauffer Auditorium.
Construction Alert
Due to the construction of the George P. Shultz building (former site of the Lou Henry Hoover Building), please refer to the access map which indicates the primary walking path to Hoover Tower and the Library & Archives reading room.
Visitor Parking
Parking enforcement hours for visitor and hourly parking is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with no enforcement on the weekends. Please read posted signs carefully as there are exceptions to these rules.
Payment for visitor parking is a contactless process by using ParkMobile's app or website or by text using your mobile phone.
Click on the link below to learn how to purchase visitor parking, look up parking rates, and find a parking zone closest to the location or attraction you would like to visit.
Stanford Visitor Parking/Rates/Zones
Accessibility Information
The Diversity and Access Office, in conjunction with the Maps and Records Department, has compiled the Stanford University Campus Access Guide. Their website contains information for a majority of on campus buildings, including those that house the Hoover Institution.
We encourage you to review their site as well as the ADA map of the area around Hoover Tower. To speak with someone about campus access information, please call (650) 725-0326.
Hours of Operation
Reading rooms, exhibition galleries and observation deck are closed for major holidays, Stanford home football games (view current schedule), and campus winter closure (view university holiday closures). Parking on campus is free on weekends.
CLOSURE NOTICES
THANKSGIVING WEEK 2022
Reading rooms will be closed starting on Monday, November 21, 2022, and will reopen on Monday, November 28, 2022.
Hoover Tower will be closed starting on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, and will reopen on Sunday, November 27, 2022.
WINTER CLOSURE 2022
Reading rooms will be closed starting on Monday, December 19, 2022, and will reopen on Monday, January 9, 2023.
Hoover Tower will be closed starting on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 and will reopen on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
Monday – Friday
Location
Status
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Library & Archives Main Reading Room
Before you begin your research visit, read more about our Reading Room.
9 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 5pm (EST)
Library & Archives in DC Office
The L&A in DC office provides three workstations to access select digital collections.
MONDAY – SUNDAY
LOCATION
STATUS
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Exhibition Galleries, Hoover Tower
Learn more about what's currently on display in our exhibition galleries.
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Observation Deck & Carillon, Hoover Tower
Named in memory of Lou Henry Hoover, former first lady of the United States.
Go to Stanford Events to find out if there will be a carillon performance on the day of your visit.
Reading rooms, exhibition galleries and observation deck are closed for major holidays, Stanford home football games, and campus winter closure. Parking on campus is free on weekends.
