Libraries

Libraries

The Columbia University Libraries constitute one of the nation's five largest academic library systems, with more than 10 million books and journals, plus archives, manuscripts, serials, microforms, films and more. There are 25 libraries at Columbia, each supporting an academic or professional discipline.

Here are ten quick tips from the Libraries staff to help GS students get the most out of the Libraries:

  1. The Libraries website, www.columbia.edu/library, connects you to library services, subject-specialist librarians, collections, and research help.
  2. Ethernet and wireless connections are available in all of the Libraries on campus.
  3. During the academic year, most libraries are open seven days a week, with 24-hour study space in Butler’s Milstein reading rooms. Check the hours webpage for schedules of daily hours, as well as holiday hours and other exceptions.
  4. Working on a paper, research project, or thesis? Schedule a research consultation with a subject-specialist librarian to get subject-specific assistance for finding and using the best information resources.
  5. Try the Libraries FAQ to answer quick questions about using the libraries, like “How do I get a book from Offsite?” or “Where can I find a photocopier?”
  6. Recommend a title for purchase: let us know anytime you see that the Libraries doesn’t own a book, journal, DVD, etc. that you need for your research.
  7. CU-networked printers and self-service photocopiers are located in each of the Libraries; scanning stations are available in the Electronic Text Service (located in Butler), Avery Library, and Lehman Library; color photocopiers can be found in the Avery and Business libraries; color printing is available in 251 Mudd.
  8. Interlibrary Loan, BorrowDirect, or Science FastTrack will get library materials to you if they are not available on campus.
  9. Looking for somewhere new to study? Need late hours, space for a group, or something near a window? The Libraries offer a variety of environments to meet your needs. Check the study spaces webpage for a list of great locations.
  10. Ask us for assistance anytime - we’re here to support your research and teaching needs.

The Libraries website also provides access to thousands of databases, full-text e-journals, e-books, and much more. Please note that access to some online materials requires your CUID (UNI) and password.

  • Connect to your Course Reserves through CLIO or CourseWorks.
  • Register for a library workshop; we offer free, one-time classes on EndNote, Photoshop, Excel, database research and much more.
  • See all of the 25 libraries at Columbia, and find specialized services that provide support for using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), film collections, multimedia resources, and analyzing data or texts.
  • For general research help, you can instant message (IM) a librarian and chat with any of a number of staff from libraries across campus. Visit www.columbia.edu/library/ask to IM a librarian. There’s no need to set up an account – just log in with your UNI and password.
  • Citation Finder provides a quick and easy way to see if the article you need is at the library - in print or online.
  • CLIO is the online catalog for the Columbia, Barnard, and Union Theological Seminary libraries. CLIO can help you find what you need:
    • Search for books, e-books, journals, newspapers, online resources, government documents, microforms, sound or video recordings, archival collections, and more.
    • See what you have checked out, and renew your books online using My Library Account.
    • Check CLIO Help for search tips.

Tap into the expertise of Columbia’s librarians—stop by a Columbia library, IM us, send us an e-mail or schedule a research consultation - just Ask Us.