Columbia University Library Access For Non-Students

Columbia University Libraries primarily serve Columbia University's current faculty, students, staff, and researchers with valid Columbia ID cards. However, the libraries are also open to the public, including alumni, retirees, consortial partners, and other approved visitors with a valid Columbia University Identification Card (CUID) or a Visitor's Card. Visitors eligible to apply for a Community CUID include alumni, spouses and domestic partners of students and faculty, and consortial partners. During Campus Status O - Open, those who don't fall into the approved visitor categories may purchase access to the libraries for a one-time fee of $20 plus $75 per month. It's important to note that access to the campus doesn't guarantee access to the libraries, and specific policies on admittance, borrowing, hours, and services vary by library.

Columbia alumni can access libraries with an ID card

Columbia University Libraries are currently open for study and access to collections for faculty, students, staff, retirees, and alumni. However, you must have a Columbia University ID to enter. Alumni of Columbia University enjoy free lifetime access to library services, but they need to apply for a library card, also known as a Community CUID.

Alumni are encouraged to wait 120 days to obtain their Community CUID following their graduation date, as student-status library privileges remain active for 120 days. There is typically a two-week wait time for cards, but this may take longer depending on the Morningside Campus Access Level. Alumni can access Butler Library from 8 am to midnight unless there are restrictions posted on the Morningside Campus Access Level page.

The Library Information Office also offers walk-ins for CUID production during their drop-in hours on Thursdays, 1 pm-3 pm, and when the campus access level is "O - Open". These drop-in hours are first come, first served. The office is unable to accommodate walk-ins outside of these hours.

Alumni can also purchase borrowing privileges for onsite and offsite collections in the Library Information Office for $30 per month. Borrowing privileges are not available at the Law School, Teachers College, or the Health Sciences libraries.

Visitors must show a government-issued photo ID

Columbia University Libraries require a valid Columbia ID or a Visitor's Card for admittance. Visitors who are not approved or do not have a Columbia University Identification Card (CUID) may present a physical, government-issued photo ID and check in for each visit at the Library Information Office.

The Library Information Office will issue a one-day pass to access the U.S. Government Documents and New York State government documents collections. To enter the campus, all approved visitors must go through gates authorised by Public Safety, which are listed on the Morningside Campus Access Levels page. It is important to check the Morningside Campus Access Levels before coming to campus. During Campus Status Level "O - Open", anyone may enter the campus. Only approved visitors with a Community CUID or those pre-registered as a guest by a current Columbia student, faculty, or staff member may enter during Campus Status Level "I - ID Only". Only approved visitors with a Community CUID may enter during Campus Status Level "R - Restricted".

It is important to note that access to the campus does not guarantee access to the libraries. Library Information Office staff are unable to pre-register guests and cannot facilitate access to the campus during Campus Status Levels "I - ID Only" or "R - Restricted".

During Campus Status Level "O - Open", those who are not approved visitors may purchase access to Columbia University Libraries. Physical access and borrowing privileges may be purchased for a one-time fee of $20 plus $75 per month. To purchase these privileges, individuals must go to the Library Information Office in person during the designated drop-in hours.

For those who are approved visitors, there are several categories. These include Jewish Theological Seminary students, faculty, and staff; alumni (excluding Teachers College alumni); spouses, domestic partners, and dependents of Columbia University officers and students; consortial partners from MaRLI, 2CUL, and Borrow Direct Plus; visitors with research or short-term event appointments; users attending events, programs, or viewing an exhibition; consortial partners from SHARES, NYU, and METRO; and visitors eligible for a temporary Visitor CUID, such as faculty affiliated with other academic institutions.

Access to campus doesn't guarantee library access

Columbia University Libraries require a valid Columbia University ID card (CUID) or a Visitor's Card for admittance. The Visitor's Card can be obtained by those who fall into specific categories, such as:

• Jewish Theological Seminary students, faculty, and staff
• Alumni (excluding Teachers College Alumni)
• Spouses, domestic partners, and dependents of Columbia University officers and students
• Consortial partners from MaRLI, 2CUL, and Borrow Direct Plus
• Visitors with research or short-term event appointments
• Faculty affiliated with other academic institutions
• Individuals sponsored by a Columbia University officer with a letter of introduction

Those who do not fall into the above categories may be eligible for access through another consortial partnership or special agreement that their home institution has with Columbia University Libraries.

During Campus Status Level "O - Open", those who do not fall into an approved visitor category may also purchase access to Columbia University Libraries. Physical access and borrowing privileges may be purchased for a one-time fee of $20 plus $75 per month.

It is important to note that access to the campus does not guarantee access to the libraries. The Library Information Office staff are unable to pre-register guests and cannot facilitate access to the campus during Campus Status Levels "I - ID Only" or "R - Restricted".

Visitors can apply for a Community CUID

• Alumni of Columbia University (affiliates from TC must get their alumni card at TC). Alumni are encouraged to wait 120 days to obtain their alumni CUID following their graduation date, as student-status library privileges remain active for 120 days.
• Spouses, domestic partners, and dependents of Columbia University officers (one-time $20 fee).
• Spouses and domestic partners of Columbia University students (one-time $20 fee).
• Already-approved consortial partners: MaRLI, Borrow Direct Plus, 2CUL.
• Jewish Theological Seminary students, faculty, and staff.

There is typically a two-week wait time for cards, but this may take longer based on the Morningside Campus Access Level. Special instructions will be provided via email for how to pick up a Community CUID during Campus Status Level "I-ID Only". Please do not go to the Library Information Office until you receive an email letting you know that your Community CUID is ready for pickup. Please note that CUID production is suspended during Campus Status Level "R-Restricted".

The Library Information Office also offers walk-ins for CUID production during their drop-in hours on Thursdays, 1-3 pm. These drop-in hours are first-come, first-served. They are unable to accommodate walk-ins outside of these hours.

Please check the Morningside Campus Access Levels before coming to campus. Libraries staff are unable to facilitate access to campus for approved visitors during Campus Status Levels "I-ID Only" or "R-Restricted".

The Library Information Office will be closed from December 22 to January 2 due to winter break closures. The application form for new Community CUIDs will be closed during this time. Please check back in early January for the form to reopen.

There are restricted hours during exams and study periods

Columbia University Libraries are primarily for the use of current faculty, students, staff, and researchers with valid Columbia IDs. However, there are certain provisions for other visitors to access the libraries.

During exam and study periods, some libraries may have restricted hours for certain groups of people. For example, only current Columbia and Barnard students can reserve rooms in the Butler Library, the Lehman Social Sciences Library, and the Science & Engineering Library for group study or presentation practice.

The Arthur W. Diamond Law Library is another example of a library with restricted hours during exams and study periods. The library offers a quiet study space for students, but study space is limited to Columbia Law students only.

To find out more about restricted hours for specific libraries during exam and study periods, it is best to check the relevant library's webpage or contact the Library Information Office directly.

Frequently asked questions