Skip to Main Content

Research Guides

Access & Borrowing

GC Alumni Photo ID & Registration for Remote Access

See the Graduate Center’s Alumni Benefits and Services page for more alumni Information.

A GC Alumni ID card is needed for entry into the library. To obtain this ID, you will need to present proof of alumni status to the Office of Security and Public Safety. The Office of the Registrar in Room 7201 can provide documentation of your alumni status. Bring this documentation to the Office of Security and Public Safety, Room 9123, 212-817-7777 to receive your ID card.

Next, complete the Graduate Center Alumni Registration Form. Within a few business days, the Alumni Affairs Office gcalumni@gc.cuny.edu will then issue a username and password for you to use to access the databases for Alumni listed below on this page (GCALUM) .

Open Access resources () on the Graduate Center's A-Z Database List are freely available.

Welcome back, GC alums!

In-Person Library Services for GC Alumni

  • Show your GC Alumni photo ID to enter the library.
  • Visit the library's Circulation desk on the first floor to obtain an Alumni barcode to borrow books from the GC's collection. See Library Privileges below for loan and renewal information.
  • Obtain a guest login at the Circulation or Reference Desk on each visit to use library computers to reach all resources from inside the library.
  • Printing is available for a fee. Purchase a copy card for $1 and add funds to the card to print for $0.15 per page.
  • Scanners, microfilm readers, and digital reformatting equipment are described in the Technology in the Library guide.

Library Privileges for Graduate Center Alumni (including SLU)

On-Site Access Yes
Borrowing Privileges GC Only
CLICS (Request Books from Other CUNY Libraries) No
Loan Period 16 weeks
Renewal Limit for GC Books 2
Renewal Limit for Other CUNY Books n/a
Database Access

On-site access to most GC databases; off-site access to select databases for alumni

Interlibrary Loan No
Printing $0.15/page
Special NYPL Borrowing Privileges No

Databases for Alumni (Accessible from Anywhere!)

Alumni Dissertations & Theses

See the Dissertations & Theses guide for information on CUNY Academic Works and to find your own capstone, thesis, or dissertation.