Barnard Library Information

The Barnard College Library is intended primarily for the use of students, faculty and other members of the Barnard and Columbia University communities. Readers and researchers not affiliated with the College or the University may utilize the Library's resources under the guidelines set forth below.

AFFILIATED LIBRARIES

Students and faculty of Teacher's College and Union Theological Seminary are granted access to Barnard's library upon presentation of a currently valid ID card from their institution. Users from these institutions have both reading and borrowing privileges. Authorized users from Jewish Theological Seminary wishing access must obtain a Columbia University Library Reading Card (see below).

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
READING CARDS

Individuals who present a currently valid reading card issued by the Columbia University Library Information Office (234 Butler, 212-854-2271) are allowed access to Barnard's Library. Contact the Information Office or connect to Columbia University Libraries access information on the Web at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/services/lio/access/ to review the requirements and specific privileges associated with these cards.

ALUMNAE

All Barnard College alumnae are entitled to reading and borrowing privileges at Barnard Library. Access is granted upon presentation of a Barnard College Alumnae ID Card issued by the College's office of Alumnae Affairs (212-854-2005). Alumni of Columbia University, Teacher's College and Union Theological Seminary may have access by obtaining a Columbia University Libraries reading card.

METRO REFERRALS

Barnard Library is a member of the New York Metropolitan Reference and Research Library Agency (METRO) and will accept referrals from other member libraries. One-day access is granted to individuals who present a yellow METRO card indicating the specific item(s) they have come to use. One-week access (to Barnard's library only) is granted to individuals who present a blue METRO card indicating the particular subject area of their research. METRO referrals are only issued to provide access to resources not available in an individual's home library or the public library system.

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Through a special agreement between Columbia University Libraries and its designated affiliates (including Barnard) and New York University, valid ID holders from either institution have access privileges at the other institution's libraries. However, specific resources/services within the cooperating libraries may be subject to certain restrictions and borrowing privileges are NOT included.

RESEARCH LIBRARIES GROUP (RLG)

Students, faculty and professional staff of RLG member institutions outside the New York metropolitan region are allowed reading privileges upon presentation of a currently-valid ID from their school. Member institutions within the NY metropolitan area - with the exception of NYU (see above) - are covered by the METRO referral system. Alumni of RLG institutions are NOT included in this arrangement.

FAMILY, DOMESTIC PARTNERS and GUESTS

Barnard ID holders and Barnard alumnae with Alumnae library cards can make arrangements to obtain a library reading card for a family member, domestic partner or guest by contacting Barnard Library's Access Services (212-854-3846) or Reference Department (212-854-3953). Given the size of the potential user community and Barnard Library's limited space, however, other valid ID holders are not generally permitted to bring family members or guests into the library.

VISITING SCHOLARS

Faculty members from other colleges and universities presenting a currently valid ID from their academic institution will be granted two-week courtesy reading privileges. Depending on specific research needs, limited extensions may be granted by the circulation or reference librarian.

COURSE AUDITORS

Individuals auditing a course at Barnard, Columbia or an affiliate are permitted access to the library for the duration of the course. An Auditor's Slip issued by the Continuing Education Auditing Program office at Columbia (211 Lewisohn) must be presented.

SEMINAR ASSOCIATES

Access and reading privileges are granted to Seminar Associates for the term of their College/University affiliation upon presentation of a Columbia "special ID" issued to all individuals in this category.

USE OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
AND ARCHIVES

Materials in the library's Rare Book Room and Archives are available for use by qualified researchers. Users who do not have a Barnard or Columbia ID must make arrangements to use these collections in advance by contacting a Reference Librarian (212-854-3953) or the Archivist (212-854-4079); access may not be granted without prior permission.

TRUSTEES AND FRIENDS OF BARNARD LIBRARY

Members of the College's Board of Trustees and individuals designated as "Friends" of Barnard Library are issued special blue Barnard College Library reading cards and are entitled to library privileges.

VISITORS

Individuals or groups who wish to tour the library must make arrangements in advance. Individuals who have made appointments with library staff must be announced before access is granted.

Individuals who do not fall into any of the categories listed above must speak to the Access or Reference librarian to determine their access eligibility.

Last updated 4/21/08