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Research Guides

Access & Borrowing

Borrowing Periods

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.

Users may check due dates and renew loans online via My Account in OneSearch.

Grad Center Library borrowing limits are shown below. Borrowers are responsible for returning items on time and in good condition (dry, unfolded, intact, and with no writing inside). For more detailed information, see the Privileges Chart for each patron category at the GC. 

  • Books: 16 week loan, can be renewed up to up to 48 weeks, unless item is recalled. Overdue fine is $0.25 per day.
  • Media (VHS tapes, DVDs, and CDs): request at the 1st floor circulation desk, loaned 7 days, no renewals. Overdue fine $1.20 per day.
  • Reserve books: 2 hour loans. Overnight reserve loans begin 2 hours before the library closes and must be returned within 1 hour of the library's opening. Overdue fine is $0.10 per minute.
  • Reserve VHS, DVDs, and CDs: 3 hour loans. Overdue fine $0.10 per minute
  • Equipment and devices: 8 week loan, can be renewed up to 24 weeks, unless item is recalled. Overdue fine is $15.00 per hour. See more details on equipment loans.
  • Small tech (headphones, chargers, adapters): Due by end of day. Overdue fine is $15.00 per hour.
  • Periodicals and reference books circulate with permission from a reference librarian.
  • Non-circulating items, including dissertations, theses, microforms, and special collections stay in the library.

Renewing & Returning Materials

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:

  • item has reached the maximum loan period
  • a book has been recalled for course reserve
  • you have been blocked for having: 
    • multiple overdue or LOST items
      • Items are marked as Lost once they are overdue for more than 60 Days.
    • $25 or more in CUNY-wide fines
      • fines must be settled with the library they originated.

Please contact circ@gc.cuny.edu if you have any questions concerning GC library loans. Visit Interlibrary Loans (ILL) for information on requesting and managing loans from outside the CUNY catalog.

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

CLICS intra-CUNY/SUNY Borrowing

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

Item Not on the Shelf?

If a book is not on the shelf:

  1. Check the re-shelving area on the east side of the library’s 2nd floor.
  2. If still not found, please inform a staff member. If necessary, we fill out a Search Card.
  3. The item may be requestable via CLICS Intra-CUNY/SUNY Borrowing or Interlibrary Loan (ILL).