ReCAP is Columbia University Libraries' off-campus shelving facility.  ReCAP is short for Research Collections and Preservation Consortium.  Columbia University operates ReCAP jointly with Princeton University and New York Public Library.

CUL has accessioned more than 3.9 million objects at ReCAP.  On average 300,000 new accessions are sent every year.  Transferring to ReCAP allows CUL to accommodate new acquisitions, provide larger study spaces and better preserve historical collections.

• Requests are filled within two business days.
• All patrons with a valid UNI and password may request physical deliveries.
• Both physical and electronic delivery are free of charge.
• Use CLIO to request items from ReCAP.
• CU alumni may need to re-activate their UNI.
• If not affiliated with Columbia University, contact the Library Information Office at lio@columbia.edu or (212) 854-7309.

• Access to the physical text is possible for all off-site volumes.
• Place a physical delivery request via CLIO.
• All campus libraries receive and hold requested items for two weeks.
• Special collections may be deliverable only to the owning library within CUL.
• Circulation policies are similar to onsite collections.

• Patrons can request an electronic copy of a single journal article or book chapter (up to 10% of a work).
• Place an EDD request via CLIO. See video tutorial: Requesting Offsite Items for Viewing Online (01:31)
• A complete citation is required.  This includes: start and end page numbers, article or chapter title, and author.
• ReCAP staff sends notification email.  The message will include a web address and an assigned personal identification number (PIN).  Use these to access the electronic document, which you may then print or download.
• The electronic document will remain accessible on the server for fourteen days.
• If the requested item cannot be scanned, the physical item will be delivered to the owning library and held for two weeks.  CUL staff sends notification email when the item is available for consultation.