On January 18, 2024, CUNY libraries went live with a new way to share books between CUNY and SUNY libraries. Through our online catalog, OneSearch, we can now request books from SUNY libraries, as well as other CUNY libraries — increasing the total number of available books to approximately 17 million.

We encourage everyone to try this new service!

We also remind you that requests can be made (for books, book chapters, articles, and more) through the Graduate Center Library’s interlibrary loan services, as always.

• SUNY book loans are for 16 weeks and can be renewed up to 48 weeks. (Unless the book is recalled by the lending library.)
• SUNY book requests must be picked up at the Graduate Center Library; but can be returned to any CUNY library.
  • To pick up SUNY books at another CUNY library that you are affiliated with, you must log in to that library’s OneSearch instance to place the request.
  • CUNY books can still be picked up at any CUNY library.
• Delivery times can vary (3-15 days.)

How does it work?

You can choose any of the three different search scopes in CUNY OneSearch: (1) items in the Graduate Center library, (2) items across all CUNY libraries, or (3) items at SUNY libraries.

Regardless of which scope you’re using:

– Search for the book you need

– Log in using your CUNY Login username and password

– The request option appears in the “How to get it” section.

– Click “Request a physical copy”

– Choose to send requests to libraries beyond CUNY by clicking on “Look Beyond CUNY”

– Choose “Yes, find a copy at CUNY or SUNY (check email for pick-up location)” from the drop-down

After the request is placed, the system will discover if the title is available via CUNY or SUNY libraries. You will receive an email when the item is ready to be picked up, or if it is unavailable.

For items not available in CUNY or SUNY, we also have access to thousands more libraries around the world through interlibrary loan. Place requests there anytime you need books, book chapters, articles, and more.

And, if you have any questions about using OneSearch to request books from CUNY and SUNY, please reach out to our circulation team via email at circ@gc.cuny.edu or 212-817-7083.

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