The Library

Library Cards

Library borrowing privileges are available to the following affiliated groups:

All the types of UC San Diego Library cards are non-transferable and may be used only by the individual indicated or pictured on the card. A valid UC San Diego photo identification card or a UC San Diego Libraries library borrowing card (along with any valid government issued photo identification) is required for borrowing privileges at all the UC San Diego Libraries. Borrowing cards are issued up to 30 minutes prior to closing time.

For more information on borrowing privileges, please refer to Loan Privileges and Eligibility for Borrowers.

Most of our e-journals and databases are restricted to use on campus, or use off-campus by authorized users only – typically current UC San Diego faculty, staff, and students. See the Off-Campus Access site for more information.

UC San Diego Students, Staff and Faculty

Registration available at: All UC San Diego Libraries

Your UC San Diego photo identification card is your UC San Diego Libraries library borrowing card. The barcode on the back of your UC San Diego photo identification card can be used to access and use library services, such as My Library Account. If you have replaced your UC San Diego photo identification card and you are unable to log into My Library Account, please contact any of the UC San Diego Libraries' Circulation Desks.

UC San Diego Extension Students and Faculty

Registration available at: Geisel Library only

UC San Diego Extension Students are eligible for UC San Diego Library borrowing privileges at a discounted registration fee of $15.00 for 3 months.

Extension Students need to:

Extension Faculty need to:

  • Be sponsored by their cluster for UC San Diego Library borrowing privileges (contact your cluster representative for pre-approval).

Complete a UC San Diego Library Borrowing Card Registration form (PDF).

Concurrently Enrolled UC San Diego Extension Students

Registration available at: Geisel Library only

Concurrently enrolled extension students are eligible for UC San Diego Library borrowing privileges at no cost with proof of enrollment.

Concurrently enrolled extension students need to:

UC San Diego Visiting Scholars

Registration available at: Biomedical Library and the Geisel Library building.

UC San Diego Visiting Scholars will need to complete a UC San Diego Library Borrowing Card Registration form (PDF), and provide:

  • A letter on UC San Diego departmental letterhead with the Visiting Scholars name and appointment status (Faculty or Graduate), the beginning and ending dates of their appointment, the sponsoring department's budget number, and a departmental contact with the phone extension.
  • A valid government issued photo identification.

Community Borrowing Card Program

Registration available at: Geisel Library only

All library card holders must be eighteen (18) years of age or older and have a residential address within the state of California.

Community Borrowing Card

  • Single: $100.00 for 12 months.
  • Dual: $150.00 for 12 months.

Dual borrowers are two adults in the same household who share a single account. Both borrowers may use the account interchangeably, with the primary account holder financially responsible for all items on the account.

Senior Community Borrowing Card

  • $50.00 for 12 months.

For members of the community 65 years and older.

Student Community Borrowing Card

  • $25.00 for 6 months.
  • $50.00 for 12 months.

Open to registered students of the California State University or public California community colleges.

Community Borrowing Card applicants need to:

UC San Diego Library Community Borrowing Cards may only be paid for by debit card or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only).

Courtesy Library Borrowing Cards

Registration available at: Geisel Library only

UC San Diego offers courtesy borrowing cards to members of the following groups:

  • Other UC faculty, staff and students
  • Immediate family of UC faculty and staff
  • Retired UC faculty and staff
  • Eligible members of the UC San Diego Alumni Association or other UC Alumni Associations
  • Current Faculty at ABA or WASC Accredited Schools
  • OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program
  • K-12 California Public School Teachers
  • Members of the UCSD Board of Overseers
  • Members of the UCSD Chancellor's Associates

At the time of registration, you will need to prove eligibility and complete a UC San Diego Library Borrowing Card Registration form (PDF).

Proxy Library Cards

Registration available at: Geisel Library only

UC San Diego Salaried Academic Staff are eligible to designate up to three (3) research assistants to check out library materials on their behalf. Salaried Academic Staff must complete and sign the Application for Proxy Borrower Privileges form (PDF). The completed form may be:

  • Mailed to: Proxy Card - 0175L
  • Submitted in person at the Geisel Library Circulation Desk.
  • Faxed to (858) 534-4970.

Proxy cards will be mailed to the Salaried Academic Staff member that has requested them.

NOTE:

  • When checking out library materials, a Proxy Library Card holder will be required to present both a Proxy library card and photo identification.
  • Proxy library cards are not intended for use by spouses, domestic partners, or children. These individuals are eligible for courtesy library borrowing cards.
  • Proxy cards may also be issued in the case of temporary or permanent disability of library borrowing card holder. Please contact the Geisel Library Circulation Desk for more information.

UC San Diego Non-Salaried Clinical Faculty

Registration available at: Biomedical Library and Geisel Library.

Non-Salaried Clinical Faculty qualify for free borrowing privileges at all the UC San Diego Libraries. Register for library borrowing privileges by completing the UC San Diego Library System Registration form (PDF). Please bring a letter from the sponsoring department verifying your appointment and the end date of your appointment (to be used as the expiration date of your UC San Diego library borrowing privileges).

Veterans Administration Medical Center Staff

Registration available at: Biomedical Library only.

Veterans Administration Medical Center Staff not otherwise affiliated with UC San Diego qualify for free library borrowing privileges at all the UC San Diego Libraries. Complete this Registration form (PDF), including having it signed by the Librarian at the V.A. Medical Center's Medical Library and return it to the Biomedical Library Services Desk.

Corporate Membership

No on-site registration.

Companies may join the Library’s Corporate Membership program which provides library cards to companies starting at a minimum annual Subscriber Level of $3000 for 20 cards plus some campus parking privileges.

For more information regarding this program, please email the Corporate Membership Coordinator or call (858) 534-1245.