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

These services include physical access to most Columbia University Libraries and the ability to purchase borrowing privileges for a monthly fee. For continued access to libraries, alumni should apply for a Community CUID (see information below). 

Alumni also have access to a selection of Libraries 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.

Learn more about Columbia alumni benefits and privileges.

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. 

Please note that processing time is approximately two weeks.

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.

Alumni may access Butler Library from 9am to 11pm.

Apply for a Community CUID

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.