The sign says go away. In nine languages.

The politely phrased apology to tourists hangs at every entrance to Widener Library, explaining why non-Harvard affiliates cannot enter.

But according to Beth S. Brainard, spokesperson for the Harvard College Library, even these unambiguous and multilingual messages were not enough to stop hundreds of tourists a day from trying to gain access to the building.

So Widener added a different sign. Last month, with little fanfare, Widener announced that it would begin checking ID cards at the door.

According to Brainard, Widener used to be open to the public. But some visitors forgot library decorum.

"They'd do things like go into the reading room and in loud voices say, 'Look, there's a Harvard student, take her picture!'" she said.

Two years ago, administrators restricted access but tourists continued to gawk in Widener. The new policy--implemented March 1--allows checkers to determine who should be permitted entry.

The "who" turns out to be a point of some confusion.

Thanks to an arrangement with the city of Cambridge, city residents--if they ask--are permitted to use the resources in the Widener reference rooms.

So while the sign posted at the entrance reads, "You must present a Harvard ID to enter Widener Library," Brainard said Cambridge residents can use a driver's license or other photo ID to gain access.

Though the sign does not refer to this special privilege, Brainard said she did not believe it would dissuade Cantabrigians from entering the library.

But many Cambridge residents said they have never even heard of the arrangement. Some have never tried to go in, assuming they would be turned away.

Cambridge resident Chloe L. Drew '00 said she had never used the library while in high school and had no idea she would have been allowed in.

Rona H. Gregory has lived in Cambridge for 20 years--even serving as a professional librarian at MIT--and was similarly surprised to hear of the opportunity.

Gregory suggested that the "Harvard intimidation factor" might be responsible for many Cambridge residents' reluctance to test the Widener waters.