Library card for all Cornell University Library visitors now free!

Not a current Cornellian but want to borrow books from Cornell University Library without having to pay for a visitor's library card? No problem!

For free, any visitor-including alumni, local residents, and anyone visiting from in and outside of New York State-can now request a library card from Cornell University Library.

Renewable yearly, the library card enables visitors to check out circulating materials, including books, DVDs, CDs, and other physical media. Borrowed library materials can be renewed online or on site and returned in person or by mail, but they must be picked up on site.

There are two ways to request the free visitor's library card:

• Fill out an online form and get notified when the library card is ready for pickup at the Olin Library service desk.
• Sign up for the library card at the Olin Library service desk and get it on the spot.

Cornell University Library implemented the change to a free library card for all visitors in September 2024. Before then, visitors have been welcome to use Cornell University Library's spaces, equipment, and collections on site, but only New York State residents could get free visitors' borrowing cards for Mann Library and Catherwood Library (both statutory units of Cornell University Library), and all other visitors had to pay a small fee to have a library card with borrowing privileges for all library locations on campus.

Making the visitor's library card free is part of Cornell University Library's efforts at expanding access for individuals from all walks of life, according to Michelle Hubbell, the library's financial and user management coordinator.

"After eliminating overdue fines, it seems natural to continue to eliminate any fees that can be seen as a barrier to entry into and use of our libraries," she said. "Hopefully, it also helps project a welcoming environment to our visitors."

Explore Cornell University Library's website to get information on how to visit and to learn more about library locations and hours.