The library is open online! While the library’s spaces and physical collections are inaccessible due to Covid-19, many resources and services are available online (see below). For detailed information on accessing and using the library during this period, visit our Covid-19 Continuity of Services page.
To stay informed about online library services, subscribe to the library blog, consult our calendar of workshops and events, and follow us on Twitter.
24/7 Chat
Our chat service is available 24/7 and will be answered by a CUNY librarian, if available. When CUNY librarians are not available, an academic librarian from one of our partner libraries will assist you.
Submit a Question
Use this form to query a GC librarian, or email ref@gc.cuny.edu.
Research Consultations
Schedule a one-on-one research consultation with your subject librarian by filling out the appointment request form.
CUNY Account Information
The library’s CUNY Accounts page rounds up the various kinds of CUNY accounts and what they’re for.
Databases
Access any of the library’s 350+ databases remotely, using your GC network credentials. (Learn more about off-campus access.)
Journals
Use the journal title search tool to check whether the library has electronic access to a particular journal.
E-books
The library provides access to thousands of e-books, accessible through a variety of databases. Consult our e-books guide for more information.
Looking for electronic access to a specific book? See our tips for locating e-books. If there’s an e-book you can’t find, complete our e-book search request form. We will do our best to find an electronic copy of the book and will be in touch as soon as we have completed a thorough search. Please note, however, that not every print book has an electronic equivalent.
Research Guides
GC librarians have created research guides for many academic disciplines, as well as guides on topics such as open educational resources (OER), data management, and using Zotero.
Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan is available for copies of journal articles and book chapters, but requests for books and other physical items cannot currently be processed.
Online Workshops
Library workshops will be offered as webinars. Keep track of library events on the library calendar.
Fair Use & Copyright Support
The switch to online teaching has raised many questions about copyright restrictions and what is permissible under fair use. CUNY’s Office of Library Services maintains a Fair Use and Copyright guide, as well as a page about fair use in the context of Covid-19. (The GC’s Teaching and Learning Center created a site addressing other considerations for academic continuity.)
The library also offers education about copyright, fair use, Creative Commons licenses, and the public domain as part of our Scholarly Research Services.
CUNY Virtual Desktop
The CUNY Virtual Desktop provides off-site access to CUNY-licensed applications, including ArcGIS, ATLAS.ti, SPSS, SAS, Mathematica, Maplesoft, and Matlab. Users must download and install a client before accessing the software with their CUNY Login.
Research at NYPL
New York Public Library offers remote access to a wide variety of resources and services, as well as grab-and-go services and some services at the research libraries.