All students deserve to be able to access course texts. The high costs of textbooks and other course materials prohibit access and perpetuate inequity, and Barnard librarians are partnering with students, faculty, and staff to increase access. The Barnard Library recommends the following strategies for students to access course texts at no cost, as well as advocating that faculty make their texts more accessible via the Library.
The following are some ways you can find affordable texts through the library and beyond. For more information, please check out the libraries Textbook Affordability page on the library website.
The library catalog for Barnard and Columbia libraries, this is the best place to search for both electronic and print materials available.
For Barnard courses: You can look at your class CourseWorks page, search the CLIO catalog, or look by instructor name on the Course Reserves Lists; e-resources are directly linked, and physical books and DVDs are available for 4-hour checkout at the Circulation & Help Desk on the 2nd floor of the Barnard library. Individuals may watch DVDs at the Media Viewing Stations on the 2nd floor of the Barnard Library or by checking out portable DVD players from the circulation desk.
For Columbia courses, use CourseWorks and CLIO to find reserves. Columbia reserves materials are available for 2-hour checkout from the circulation desk of whichever Columbia library has the item.
You can use library scanners or find a scanner app for your smartphone at no cost to make copies.
Any student who identifies as low-income and/or first-generation and attends Barnard College, Columbia College, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies may check out materials from the Barnard or Columbia FLI Partnership Libraries.
On the next business day after entering the form, your account access will be updated in the CU/BC Libraries system. Find the item you want to check out in CLIO, then click on the "Pick-Up" link, and you'll receive an email when it's ready for you to pick up (in 2-3 business days; Barnard only); or, you may visit either library and pull and check out the book right away.
You can request books and other materials from libraries outside the Columbia system through two services:
You will find some offsite NYPL titles listed in CLIO, which can be borrowed for a semester at a time, but in some cases it might be faster to visit one of the branches yourself. Additionally, some materials may only be used at the research branches of the NYPL while others may be checked out. All Barnard students are eligible for NYPL library cards which can access print books and e-resources from NYPL. The closest branches to Barnard's campus are Morningside Heights and George Bruce.
From their website, "Access Barnard leverages the resources of the college and New York City as a whole to support students who identify as international, first-generation, or low-income as they navigate the American higher education system. Access Barnard seeks to bridge the gaps that first-time undergraduates often face as they transition into college."
Once Access Barnard has received your textbook request form, they'll send a follow-up email that will confirm textbook availability. They will prepare your book package for pick-up, and you will select your pick-up appointment when you receive your confirmation email.
For additional questions, email: accessbarnard@barnard.edu