CUNY libraries have uniform borrowing periods for regular-loan, circulating books only. Policies may differ significantly for other library materials. For details, see CUNY Libraries Circulation Policies and CUNY library websites.

The library catalog system emails courtesy reminder notices 3 days prior to due dates. To receive notices, borrowers must keep email addresses current within CUNYfirst for current students, faculty, and staff. Others can update their email by contacting library circulation. Users may also check due dates and renew online via My Account in OneSearch. Borrowers are responsible for all fines and fees, even if an email notice is missed.

Renew materials by logging into My Account in OneSearch. Each renewal moves the due date back 16 weeks from the time of the renewal. CUNY libraries have different loan lengths for borrower types. You may not renew via My Account if:

• a book has been requested by another borrower or course reserve
• you have $25 or more in CUNY-wide fines
• you have multiple overdue or LOST items.
  • Items are marked as Lost once they are overdue for more than 60 Days.

GC users in violation of the above conditions may request a renewal via the GC’s renewal form. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) renewals can be requested online in the user's ILL account, subject to lending library approval.

Return CUNY library books to any CUNY library. Exceptions: Interlibrary loans, reserve loans, and all non-book media (microforms, VHS, DVDs, CDs), music scores, and other special loans must be returned directly to the lending library’s circulation desk.

CUNY students, faculty, and staff may borrow from every CUNY library except the CUNY School of Law Library. CLICS Intra-CUNY Borrowing is offered to all CUNY-wide users.

CUNY borrowers may avoid recalling books from CUNY readers by using Interlibrary Loan to request titles unavailable in CUNY libraries.

However, instead of using interlibrary loan, CUNY borrowers may also request currently checked-out items using the “Request a Copy” or “Request This Copy” links in the library catalog, or by asking library circulation staff to issue a recall. Requests generate an email notice informing the current borrower of the recall.

The first borrower is guaranteed the initial loan length; renewal is denied after a recall request is placed. If a recalled item has already been renewed, it is given a new, earlier due date — 10 days from the date the recall request is placed. Seven-day and reserve loans may not be recalled.

Overdue recalled items are fined at a higher rate of $1/day. Unreceived email notices do not relieve any borrower of responsibility for fines and fees.

If a book is missing:

1. Check the re-shelving area on the east side of the library’s 2nd floor.
2. If no luck, fill out a “Search Card” from a librarian on the 2nd floor. Include your name and phone or e-mail address on the back.
3. Submit the card to the circulation staff on the 1st floor for searching.
4. Request the item via CLICS Intra-CUNY Borrowing. If it is not available through CLICS, request it via Interlibrary Loan (ILL), with a note that the item could not be found on the shelves.