Alum Access

Congratulations! When you graduate, some of your Columbia University Libraries - including Barnard Library - privileges continue for a limited time:

• Print borrowing privileges extend 200 days after your degree conferral date.
• Electronic resources access extends 6 months after degree conferral date.
• Any campus space access specifically for students ends on the degree conferral date.

You can see the degree conferral dates at the Columbia University Registrar.

Databases: Barnard and Columbia Alums have free access to a range of online databases.

Borrowing Privileges: We provide free access to Barnard College Alums to Pick-Up materials from the Barnard Library collection (see below for how to Pick-Up). In order to use the Pick-Up service, please (1) activate your UNI and (2) activate your borrowing account. Or, if you have set up privileges with us previously, you should be already set to use the Pick-Up service.

• Activate your UNI: To activate your UNI, visit the Columbia University guide to Manage My UNI and select “Activate My UNI.” If you don’t know your UNI, contact us and we will be able to provide you with your UNI and talk you through the activation process.
• Activate your borrowing account: Please fill out the Activate my Barnard Alum Borrowing Account form to set up your borrowing privileges. 

Pick-Up: Once set up with borrowing privileges (see above):

• Use CLIO to find physical materials at Barnard Library (try including the word Barnard in your search field or use the advanced search to designate Barnard as the location), and then
• Look for the Barnard Alum Pick-Up link in the right side menu of available Barnard materials, and follow the steps to request these items.
• All Pick-Up will be available in 2-3 business days from your request. We will email you with pick-up instructions. Barnard campus buildings are currently only open to current students, staff, and faculty. If you do not have access to campus, please contact us.
• Questions? Contact us any time at library@barnard.edu.

Renewing: To renew materials, please visit CLIO and, from the top menu, choose “Log in to…” then from the dropdown menu choose “My Library Account”; log in with your UNI to see and renew the list of items checked out to you. Or, reach out to us at library@barnard.edu.

Fine Forgiveness: Barnard Library no longer charges fines for any Barnard Library materials, and we forgive all existing fines on Barnard Library materials. At this time, we are relying on you to let us know if you have a fine that we can forgive. To place a request, please reach out to us at library@barnard.edu.

Currently, Barnard campus buildings including Barnard Library are open only for current students, faculty, and staff. Please see above for information on how you can access Barnard Library materials while campus building access is temporarily limited. Thank you for your patience in support the dedensification of Barnard spaces. For more information see Barnard's Accessing Campus page.

The Barnard Archives and Special Collections document the history of the College and provide source material to students, staff, alums, faculty, and administrators, and other members of the Barnard College and Columbia University communities, as well as to local, national, and international researchers, activists, and artists. We also seek to grow Special Collections materials that relate to broader issues of Feminism; Women’s, Sexuality, and Gender Studies; and the history of dance.

If you are interested in researching any aspect of the history of Barnard, or if you have materials from your time at Barnard that you would like to donate, please contact us at archives@barnard.edu or visit archives.barnard.edu.

The CEP holds periodic public events showcasing innovative and equitable pedagogy. Alums are welcome to attend and participate. To find out about upcoming events, visit their website.

Alums are welcome to sign up for Center programs and events. Alum access to the Design Center will be limited, and requires general safety certification and training on specialized equipment. The Design Center encourages interested alums to email to inquire about open spaces in workshops and for consultations with staff.

The Digital Humanities Center works closely with faculty to support the ideation, creation, and execution of digital humanities methodologies and projects. Although class-based workshops are restricted to students and faculty, the DHC welcomes alums to attend most public facing programming. The DHC hosts a wide variety of events and programming such as book talks, open workshops, and guest lectures. Alums are also welcome to request an appointment over email for a digital project consultation, and are encouraged to join the listserv to stay on top of all DHC related news and events.

Alums are invited to attend workshops, center programming, and events at the Media Center. The post production lab is always open to alums and you can take advantage of the walk-in help hours as well as request tutorials and consulting with staff.

The ERC offers dedicated workshops in Excel (basic, introductory, and intermediate) for Alums (in partnership with Beyond Barnard) during each semester. Alums are also welcome to join any open workshops throughout the academic year. You can also email for appointments (currently enrolled undergraduates are the priority, but the ERC has always been able to accommodate appointments for alums) or drop in to walk in hours. Alums can also use the ERC computer lab when workshops are not in session (and as long as there is enough seating for undergraduates who are in the lab for walk-in support).

Equipment checkout is available only for current students. Alums are welcome to attend any IMATS programming and technology events.

The Movement Lab offers workshops in interactive design, motion capture and more. They also have a monthly Salon which can be a lecture demonstration or a sharing of work in progress in an informal setting. All are free and open. Aside from the scheduled department classes in the space, during open hours (see calendar) alums can come, explore and use the space under supervision. For other private lab times, a training is required. Best is to email or use the reservation form on the website.

Alums are welcome to attend CSC programming, from workshops to social events, as long as there is space available. To avoid any potential scheduling conflicts with classes, researchers, and extra-help sessions, the collaboration space, lounge, and 516 classroom are open to alums on an appointment-only basis. Alums should contact the CSC to schedule a time to use these spaces.

You may access Columbia Libraries and use collections on site for free. Card swipe is required. You can get a swipe card by visiting the Library Information Office in Butler Library with a current photo ID.

A library account with borrowing privileges for the whole Columbia Libraries system can be purchased for $30.00 per month at the Library Information Office. With this account, you can renew books online, and obtain information about your account by connecting to “My Library Account" in CLIO.