Alumni of Columbia University enjoy free lifetime access to library services.

For continued access to libraries, alumni should apply for a library card, also known as a Community CUID. With a valid Community CUID, alumni have physical access to most Columbia University Libraries, and can purchase borrowing privileges for a monthly fee.

Apply for CUID

Alumni also have off campus access to a selection of e-resources, which only require an active UNI. Access to e-resources do not require a Community CUID. Please see below for more information on accessing e-resources.

Alumni are encouraged to wait 120 days to obtain their Community CUID following their graduation date, as student-status library privileges remain active for 120 days.

Alumni may access Butler Library from 8am to midnight. 

Learn more about Columbia alumni benefits and privileges.

Community CUID (Alumni Library Card)

Community CUIDs provide physical access to Columbia University Libraries. Due to high demand and staff capacity, alumni should apply for a Community CUID in advance. To apply for a Community CUID, please fill out a CUID Application. You will be notified via email when your Community CUID is ready for pickup; you must come in-person to pick up your Community CUID.

Please note that processing time is currently approximately two weeks but may take longer based on the Morningside Campus Access Level. Special instructions will be provided via email for how to pick-up a Community CUID during Campus Status Levels “I -ID Only.” Please note that CUID production is suspended during Campus Status Level “R - Restricted.” 

The Library Information Office also offers walk-ins for CUID production during our drop-in hours on Thursdays, 1pm - 3pm. These drop-in hours are first come, first served. We are unable to accommodate walk-ins outside of these hours; thank you for your understanding. 

Please check Morningside Campus Access Levels before coming to campus walk-in hours. All alumni must enter through gates authorized by Public Safety, listed on the Morningside Campus Access Levels page. Libraries staff are unable to facilitate access to campus for alumni during Campus Status Levels “I - ID Only” or “R - Restricted.” 

Borrowing privileges for onsite and offsite collections can be purchased in the Library Information Office for $30 per month. Borrowing privileges are not available at the Law School, Teachers College, or the Health Sciences libraries.

Alumni do not have access to the following services:

• Interlibrary Loan
• Borrow Direct
• Pickup Service
• Scan & Deliver 

Graduates of Columbia University, Barnard, Teachers College, and Union Theological Seminary have off-campus access to the following e-resources. To use these resources, alumni may need to activate their UNI or change their password at the Manage My UNI website.

Please use the links on this page for access. Using any other links to these databases will not allow alumni access.

For questions regarding resources, please contact the Library Information Office at lio@columbia.edu.