As graduation ceremonies conclude, the Libraries remind Columbia graduates of alumni benefits available to take advantage of. Alumni of Columbia University enjoy free, off-campus access to a wide range of databases and journals, plus in-person use of library facilities.
Alumni Card
Graduates of Columbia, Barnard College, and Union Theological Seminary may apply for a University Alumni Identification Card that enables lifetime access to library buildings. Alumni are encouraged to wait 120 days to obtain their alumni CUID following their graduation date, as student-status library privileges remain active for 120 days.
To apply for an alumni CUID, visit the Library Information Office with a valid, government-issued photo ID. Alumni CUIDs are valid for 10 years, after which alumni must visit the Library Information Office to be reissued a new one. The fee to replace a lost or stolen CUID is $20.
In-person use of library facilities by alumni with the Alumni ID card is permitted between 8 a.m. and midnight for libraries open during that time period. Please review library hours before visiting.*
Borrowing Privileges
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. Learn more about which services alumni have access to.
E-Resources
Graduates of Columbia University, Barnard, Teachers College, and Union Theological Seminary have off-campus access to a variety of e-resources. To use these resources, alumni may need to activate their UNI or change their password at the Manage My UNI website.