Borrow, renew & fines

Borrowing periods and fines are outlined in the Grad Center Library Loan & Fine Chart. For CUNY-wide loan, renewal, and fine schedules, see CUNY Libraries Circulation Policies. CUNY students, faculty, and staff may borrow from every CUNY library except the CUNY School of Law Library.

Borrowers receive a date due slip with each item at check-out. Borrowers are responsible for returning loaned material in good condition by the date due or for renewing the material in timely fashion.

Borrowers are responsible for prompt payment of library fines and fees. As an unguaranteed courtesy, the CUNY+ system emails reminder notices 3 days prior to due dates. CUNY overdue notices are issued following the same notice schedule. To receive library email notices, borrowers must keep email addresses current at CUNY library circulation desks. Users may check accounts online via CUNY+ "My Account". An unreceived notice does not relieve the borrower of responsibility for fines and fees.

Recalls CUNY borrowers may request items on loan to other CUNY borrowers. In that case, the current borrower receives an email notice indicating a new, earlier, due date. The first borrower is guaranteed the initial loan length, but renewal will be denied after a hold request is placed. The revised due date is calculated 10 days from the date the recall request is placed. Overdue recalled items are fined at a higher rate of $1/day. Unreceived email notices do not relieve any borrower of responsibility for fines and fees.

Overdue fines for returned books may be paid at any CUNY library. CUNY-wide fines are generally $.10/day, with higher fees for overdue recalled ($1.00 per day) and reserve material ($1.20/hour). A $5 total in CUNY-wide fines blocks CUNY-wide library privileges. Long overdue replacement costs and fees must be paid at the lending library.

Long overdue books generate registration, transcript, and graduation blocks which must be cleared at a borrower's home library after making payment at the lending library. Failure to return CUNY library books is considered theft and may be enforced by police or by compensation collected by a hired agency.

Renew CUNY loans and view due dates at CUNY+ "My Account". To maximize loan lengths, renew titles just before they are due, not far Iin advance. CUNY libraries have different loan lengths and renewal policies for all borrower types. You may not renew via CUNY+ "My Account" if:
- a book has been "requested" by another borrower or course reserve
- you have $5 or more in CUNY-wide fines
- you have loans more than 21 days overdue

You must request to Renew via GC circulation web form if in violation of the above conditions

InterLibrary Loan renewals online via ILLiad, subject to lending library approval.

Return CUNY library books to any CUNY library. Exceptions: interlibrary loans, reserve loans, and all non-book media (microforms, VHS, DVDs, CDs), music scores, and other special loans which return directly to the lending library circulation desk

Intra-CUNY library book borrowing, through the CLICS service, allows requested titles from other CUNY collections to be delivered for pick-up at the Grad Center or other selected CUNY library. CUNY students may also visit and borrow on site from other CUNY libraries. CUNY Libraries Circulation Policies apply to these loans.

Media VHS tapes, DVDs, and CDs are kept at the 1st floor circulation desk, loaned 7 days to all users, no renewals

Non-Circulating marked items plus dissertations, theses, microform, special collection material stay in the library.

Periodicals and reference books may circulate with special permission card from a 2nd floor reference librarian.

Reserve books circulate for 2 hours. Overnight reserve loans begin 2 hours before the library closes for return within 1 hour after the library opens. Find all GC reserve material using Electronic Reserve

3-Day Reserve books support 1st and 2nd year exams; in open shelving near the 1st floor circulation desk

InterLibrary Loan is available to GC users only. Fines $.10/day payable in the Grad Center Library ILL office, room 1100.06.

Off-campus access to GC e-resources is available to GC users only including faculty, students, and staff with current ID and recent (1 year) alums with current GC computer network accounts.

Mina Rees Library