You can have books from any CUNY or SUNY library sent to any other CUNY Library, including the Graduate Center. Locate the item you want from the library catalog, sign in, and find the request options in the 'Get it' section. CLICS can only be used for books. If you need photocopies of an article or book chapter, or if you are seeking other material types, please submit an interlibrary loan request.

Have questions? Check out the CLICS FAQs.

Make a Request

1. Locate materials in OneSearch using any of the search scopes (GC, GC + CUNY Libraries, or SUNY Libraries).

2. If you haven't signed in yet, you can do so by clicking in the yellow banner and entering your CUNY login information. 
   

3. After logging in, request options are under "How to get it." Click "Request a physical copy."
   

4. You will be prompted to select a pickup location, input additional details (if requesting a specific volume for example), and asked if you'd like to "Look beyond CUNY" to allow SUNY libraries to fulfill the request.

   • If a request is being filled by SUNY, the item must be picked up at the library whose website was used to make the request, ignoring the preferred pickup location. For example, if you wanted to send a SUNY item to Queens College, you must use the Queens College Library website to place the request.
     

5. Click on "Send Request"

6. You will receive an email when your book is available for pick-up.
   • If you make a request through OneSearch for an item that is not available at any CUNY or SUNY libraries, you will be notified by email. You then can still place an interlibrary loan request. 

When should you use CLICS and when should you use Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

Use CLICS for:

• Books that may be available at any CUNY or SUNY library

Use ILL for:

• Any book, especially those not owned by other CUNY libraries
• Journal articles not available at the Graduate Center Library
• A/V materials such as DVDs and CDs
• Book chapters

For more information about interlibrary loans or to make an ILL request, visit the ILL Login page.

How long will it take?
Most requests (for books not already checked out by another patron) are delivered in about a week. Some may take more or less time. NYC traffic, CUNY library systems problems, and library staffing all affect delivery time.

What if something I requested can’t be found?
You will receive email that your request can’t be filled. You may try requesting again from another CUNY library, or from Interlibrary Loan (ILL). If you have waited more than a week for your request, contact either the CUNY lending library or your home CUNY library circulation desk.

Which materials may not be requested via CLICS? Queens College, Brooklyn College, and City College will not loan music scores through CLICS. Borrow and return scores in person to these CUNY libraries. Loan of CDs, DVDs, and VHS through CLICS is governed by individual CUNY library policy. Libraries receiving CLICS requests for any non-circulating material will cancel a CLICS request prompting an email notification to the requestor. Graduate Center users may make Interlibrary Loan (ILL) requests for any item, whether or not it is available via CLICS.

What if no CUNY copies are available?
You can request to "Look beyond CUNY" to include SUNY Libraries in the request scope. You can also be next in line for a CUNY book that is currently checked out to another user. Graduate Center users may also use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) to request any item, whether or not it is available at another CUNY or SUNY library.

What if I want to get the book before somebody else gets it?
To get a book right away, go get it yourself. If you take it to the circulation desk, you will be able to borrow even if there are hold requests on it. Others may then place holds on the book after you check it out, interrupting your ability to renew the book. If a book is requested for reserve, individuals may not borrow it until it is placed on reserve.

I didn’t get an email about my CLICS request!
If you don’t get an email within a few days, log in to “My Account” in the CUNY catalog. The list of schools on the left will highlight where you have current activity. After selecting a school, any loans or requests from that school's libraries will be listed.

Also, check your email address in CUNYfirst if you are a current student, faculty, or staff member. Everyone else can take their CUNY ID to their CUNY library circulation desk for an update. You may contact the lending CUNY library circulation department to prompt a search for or cancellation of your CLICS request, allowing the request to cycle to the next CUNY institution in the queue (if there is another library with a circulating copy of the item).

How do I cancel a CLICS request?
Cancel a CLICS request in “My Account” by clicking on the library where the item is coming from, and clicking "Cancel" next to the applicable item.

Why do I get the message “No copies currently available, or there is a problem with your ID card. Please see a librarian”?

• You have already requested this book via CLICS, OR
• No copy is available for loan via CLICS because the item is on loan, on reserve, in reference, or in a non-circulating category, OR
• Your library catalog account is expired. If your CUNY registration is current, there has been a glitch in the auto-updating of your library record from CUNY Central data. Take your valid photo ID to your home CUNY library circulation desk for an update.