Our physical collections, including print books and journals, dissertations, microfilm, and audiovisual materials are available.

If there is an item that you need that we do not have access to at the Mina Rees Library, consider placing an interlibrary loan request, using the ebook search service or contacting your liaison librarian to look for alternative access.

CUNY libraries have suspended regular overdue fines as well as fines for recalled items. All CUNY libraries now allow at least nine renewals of circulating items and will automatically renew items checked out to you.

If you'd like to return your items, the Circulation Desk is open (10am-6pm, Monday-Friday) and accepting returns. There is also a book drop in the Lobby next to the Security Desk.

Interlibrary Loan is fully operational via our regular ILLIAD system. Any item can be requested, regardless of whether the GC or any CUNY library owns a copy. Please contact us at ill@gc.cuny.edu if you need any further information about our services.

As a Graduate Center affiliate, you have access to free, unlimited printing in the Library. Feel free to use the printers on the 2nd Floor, logging in with your GC Network ID (the same login you use for remote access to Library databases).

Scanners are available as well as microfilm readers. You will find these on the 2nd Floor, behind the Reference Desk. No login is required to use a scanner.

Computers in the Library require a GC Network ID and password - if you're a visitor, please request a Guest Login at the Circulation Desk (1st Floor) or at the Reference Desk (2nd Floor).

Students may request a laptop from IT Services using the request form.

In order to borrow a laptops you must meet all of the following criteria: 

• Be registered for Fall 2021 classes with no registration holds on your record.
• Be able to show a GC ID if you will be picking up a laptop.

Contact IT Services for further assistance.

1. Use OneSearch: The majority of our GC Library ebooks display in this search. GC affiliates have access to ebooks that CUNY licenses for all campuses and those in our GC collections; both of these corpuses display in the GC view of OneSearch
2. Databases A-Z: all of our ebook collections are included here. You can even see those that are not restricted by DRM.
3. View links to our ebook collections along with news and search tips on our Ebooks Research Guide.
4. Make a request for a book chapter via Interlibrary Loan
5. Use our Ebook Search Service: a librarian will check all available ebook collections for you within a few business days
6. Do you have credentials for another CUNY campus or another university where you work? Remember even other CUNY schools will have different ebook titles.
7. New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library collections also include many ebooks that could be accessed remotely
8. Speak with your liaison librarian for assistance in finding and searching for ebooks.

Consult the library's Film Studies Research Guide for a list of streaming media options.

GC alumni have access to a limited selection of library databases through a partnership between the library and the Alumni Affairs Office. Complete the Graduate Center Alumni Registration Form to request access. The Alumni Affairs Office gcalumni@gc.cuny.edu will reply (please allow 1-2 business days) with a username and password to access Databases for Alumni.

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

Reference and General Questions: library@gc.cuny.edu
Circulation: circ@gc.cuny.edu
Interlibrary Loan: ill@gc.cuny.edu
Dissertation Office: deposit@gc.cuny.edu

• Librarian Subject Specialist Directory to locate your subject librarian
• A-Z Faculty & Staff Directory

Instructors can request library research instruction for classes by contacting their liaison librarian or filling out our class visit request form.

Teaching faculty should complete the Course Reserve Request Form to request an item be placed on reserve (even if the library does not own the item).

• Include as much information as possible when placing the request (call number or OneSearch link if the library owns the material, link to Amazon or ISBN if the library needs to purchase the material).

• There is a reserve limit of 50 items per course.

• It generally takes 4-6 weeks for an item that GC Library does not own to be purchased, processed, and placed on reserve.

• The library only handles book and DVD reserves at this time; articles and other items can be organized in Blackboard or by other CUNY tools for sharing with classes.    

  • Because of licensing restrictions, we do not have the capability to purchase new streaming videos. If the library already licenses a streaming video through one of our databases we will help you link to the item for your course.

Material which CAN be placed on Reserve

• Print books
• E-books
• E-book Chapters
• DVDs
• Streaming videos that the library has already licensed

Material which CANNOT be placed on Reserve

• Interlibrary loan books
• Library periodical issues or volumes
• Scans of an entire book
• Streaming video that requires a new license

Need assistance finding openly available materials for your course? For information about Open Educational Resources (OER) or Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC), see our OER Guide.

The Library will notify the instructor when materials are added to their Reserves page. Please note that new purchases will require additional time to process (order, receive, and catalog). Requests made prior to the deadline will be made available prior to the start of the semester, unless you are notified otherwise. Contact Reserves to check the status of your request.

On-Site Research

Branch Libraries: All available New York Public Library branch locations are open with close to full service, including general library use and seating, unlimited browsing, computer access, and more. See NYPL's reopening page for any updates.

Research Libraries:  Service has been expanded at select locations to permit walk-in visitors who want to sit in public reading rooms, including the Rose Main Reading Room at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, for quiet study and computer use. Sign up for Research at NYPL email updates to receive announcements regarding NYPL's research services. 

Getting a new NYPL card

• Get a NYPL card online
• The SimplyE app for digital materials

NYPL Print Book Services

• Research Borrowing Programs: Graduate Center affiliated researchers are eligible to borrow select NYPL research materials usually reserved for on-site use.
• Request Research Library Materials: Request general research materials in advance to make the most of your time at the library. 
• Scan & Deliver Service: Eligible general collection items held at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts may be requested by clicking the Request button wherever it appears in the Shared Collection Catalog.
• Circulating Collections: NYPL is offering nearly full service in the branch libraries, including general library use and seating, unlimited browsing, laptop and computer access, and more.  Request items for pick up at the branch of your choice.

Databases and Ebooks

• List of databases available from home (includes scholarly ebook collections like Cambridge, Oxford, Project Muse)
• Ebook Collections Overview (includes audiobooks and popular literature ebook collections)

See our NYPL research guide for links and updates

The Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library are open at this time. See this post for additional links to their programs and to find out how to apply for a library card. View the branch map and learn more on the BPL's website. 

The Queens Public Library is open for browsing, seating, and expanded hours. Full details are available on the QPL's website.