What You Can Do on the Columbia University Libraries Website

Updated

The Columbia University Libraries site is organized around a task hub called "I Want To", which links to the most common things visitors come to do: find libraries open now, borrow or request or renew materials, ask a librarian, access alumni resources, and make a gift. Beyond that hub, the homepage surfaces events and training, new and notable collections, and library news. If you already know which task you need, start with "I Want To"; if you're exploring, the sections below show what else is there.

Start with the "I Want To" menu

This is the main entry point for routine library business. The homepage lists these actions:

  • Find Libraries Open Now — check which of Columbia's locations are currently open.
  • Use the Libraries — general guidance on using library services and spaces.
  • Borrow, Request, Renew — manage loans and requests.
  • Ask A Librarian — get help from library staff.
  • Access Alumni Resources — resources for alumni.
  • Make A Gift — donate to the Libraries.

If your goal is a practical transaction rather than reading about the Libraries, this menu is the fastest route.

Find a library and get oriented

The site notes that Columbia has 18 libraries, and a news item describes a guide by librarians Sydni Meyer and Jeffrey Wayno covering "hacks, etiquette, and best spots inside the University's libraries." For a quick orientation, the site also advertises 15-minute introductory drop-in sessions on how to use your libraries — offered September 2–3 and September 8–11, with no registration required. These sessions cover collections, expert staff, study spaces, trainings, and workshops.

Manage borrowing and requests

The Borrow, Request, Renew link under "I Want To" is where you handle your account activity. Use it when you need to check what you have out, extend a loan, or place a request. The site does not publish loan periods or renewal limits on the homepage, so confirm the specific terms for your item and patron type once you're in the catalog or your account.

Get help from a librarian

Ask A Librarian connects you to staff for research and reference questions. This is the right path when you can't find something, need help with a database, or want guidance on a topic. For in-person help, the site also lists Drop-In Help among its events and training offerings.

Attend events, training, and workshops

The Events & Training section groups several kinds of programming:

Category What it covers
Public Programs Open events hosted by the Libraries
Exhibitions Curated displays of collections
Workshops Instruction sessions
Drop-In Help Informal, no-appointment assistance

The 15-minute introductory sessions mentioned above fall under this area. Check the section for current dates, since offerings change.

Explore collections and news

New & Notable Collections highlights archival and special materials, with examples including the Al Jaffee Papers, the Daniel Talbot Papers, the Theodore Richards Conant Collection, the Frances Perkins papers, W.W. Norton & Company records, a Historical Maps Collection (1500–1900), and the Maison française records. A View All Collections link leads to the fuller list.

The News section carries stories about the Libraries, such as a guest blogger processing the papers of Rosemary Radford Ruether, a piece on the Columbia Geological Museum's former holdings in Schermerhorn Hall, and a note that the Libraries' Journal Publishing program released 273 new articles across 22 journals from July 2025 through June 2026.

Alumni and student employment

  • Alumni Resources is reachable directly from the "I Want To" menu if you're a graduate looking for access options.
  • Student employment: the site states that the Libraries offer part-time student jobs across locations, including both Federal Work-Study and Student Casual positions, with information on job types and how to apply.

A practical way to use the site

  1. Decide whether you need to do something (borrow, renew, ask, find an open library) or explore something (events, collections, news).
  2. For tasks, go to "I Want To" and pick the matching link.
  3. For orientation, look for the 15-minute drop-in sessions or the Drop-In Help listing.
  4. For research support, use Ask A Librarian.
  5. For alumni access or student jobs, use the dedicated links rather than searching the homepage.

The site does not publish pricing or login requirements on the homepage, so treat access terms as something to confirm through the specific service page you land on.