Visiting Scholars & Seminar Associates
Borrowing Privileges
Columbia Visiting Scholars* and Seminar Associates** may apply for borrowing privileges at Columbia's Libraries for a charge of $30 per month. The privilege is not valid at the Health Sciences, Law, or Teachers College libraries. Application must be made in person at the Library Information Office.
* Columbia Visiting Scholars are appointed at the recommendation of a dean, director, or chairperson of a department, with the approval of the Provost.
** University Seminar Associates are appointed by the Director of the University Seminars on behalf of the President. Privileges are renewable annually.
Loan Period:
4 weeks; or expiration date of library borrowing privileges: All Libraries except Barnard which has a 4 week loan period, and the Health Sciences libraries which have a 3 week loan period.
Visiting Scholars and Seminar Associates with borrowing privileges may borrow up to 20 items at a time.
Fines: Fines are charged for overdue books. Borrowing privileges at all Columbia Libraries are temporarily suspended if fines or fees exceed $99 or if a recalled item is not returned on time. Lost items should be reported to the Library Information Office.
Reading privileges: Columbia Visiting Scholars or Seminar Associates who do not need borrowing privileges but who wish to use library materials on site may do so using their CU photo ID card.
Return of Library Materials: Visiting scholars are asked to be sure to return all library materials before leaving the University.
Services not included: For Seminar Associates, the purchase of borrowing privileges does not include the use of Interlibrary Loan or Borrow Direct services or off-campus access to the Library's licensed electronic resources.
Please Note: The Libraries reserve the right to withdraw privileges if they are abused. Privileges are granted to individuals and are not transferable.
