Borrow Materials

• Undergraduates may borrow a maximum of 50 Items
• Undergraduates may have a maximum of 100 holds

• Renewals are not available for recalled items. All materials are subject to recall.

• Graduate Students may borrow a maximum of 100 Items
  
• Graduate Students may have a maximum of 100 holds

Hebrew Union College students are included in this user group and should visit Langsam Library to set up their access or renew their privileges. 

• Renewals are not available for recalled items. All materials are subject to recall.

• UC Faculty may borrow a maximum of 1000 Items
• UC Faculty may have a maximum of 100 holds

Privileges listed here are the same for faculty affiliates and emeritus faculty.

• Renewals are not available for recalled items. All materials are subject to recall.

Faculty Proxy Borrowing

Faculty members only may specify a teaching assistant, graduate assistant or spouse to access and utilize their library account. Learn more here. 

• UC Staff may borrow a maximum of 200 Items
• UC Staff may have a maximum of 100 holds

• Renewals are not available for recalled items. All materials are subject to recall.

• UC Retirees may borrow a maximum of 25 Items
• UC Retirees may have a maximum of 10 holds
• UC Retirees may borrow a maximum of 5 OhioLINK items

• Renewals are not available for recalled items. All materials are subject to recall.

• Renewals are not available for recalled items. All materials are subject to recall.

University of Cincinnati students engaging their programs in a fully remote model are called Distance Learners within UC Libraries. Distance learners have the same privileges as on campus students, correspondent to their status with UC. A graduate level distance learner would have the same privileges and access as a graduate student attending classes on campus.

Distance learners have a variety of options for accessing UC library materials and resources, both online and physical. 

For online access, distance learners should begin at our Online Library. Once a distance learner logs in via Duo Authentication, this library guides access to articles and databases, as well as a search for physical materials available to UC students (including distance learners,) staff and faculty. Options include Electronic Journal Center and Electronic Book Center on OhioLINK and requesting articles via ILLiad. 

Distance learners seeking to access physical materials, such as books, have a few different routes to take. In state distance learners can request items via Ohio's two statewide consortiums, OhioLINK and SearchOhio, utilizing the Pickup Anywhere service, which allows, for example, a UC student who resides in Columbus to have a Kent State library book be sent to Ohio State for pickup. 

Distance learners who unable to obtain physical items via OhioLINK or SearchOhio, or who are in a state other than Ohio, should contact the Collection Development Services and Engagement department at UC's Langsam Library for additional options regarding access and delivery. The department can be reached by phone at 513-556-1424.

June 2025: SearchOhio borrowing and lending are suspended from June 2025, until Fall 2025, due to the statewide migration to a new library services platform. SearchOhio users should request items via their interlibrary loan services at their local library. Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library users will not be able to borrow directly from UC Libraries locations with their public library cards during this transition.

Community Borrowers refers to non-UC student, staff, or faculty visitors, such as  UC Alumni Association members, Communiversity students, SWON members, and many more. Community borrowers may access Langsam Library during the hours that The Desk at Langsam is open. 

Users in these groups have the following privileges:

• 5-item check-out limit 
• 3-week loan period with 1 renewal 
• On-site database access at public-access workstations (no remote access)

Some specific community borrower groups include:

• Donors to UC Libraries: Donors who contribute $50 or more to UC Libraries on an annual basis. 
• Friends of Women’s Studies: Administered by the Department of Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies for dues paying community members.
• Herman Schneider Legacy Society: Donors who provide support to UC through a planned gift. Must have a Herman Schneider Legacy Society card and a photo ID.
• Institute for Learning in Retirement: Members currently enrolled in classes at UC. Must have program enrollment confirmation letter and a photo ID.
• UC Alumni Association (UCAA): Current Loyal Bearcat & William Howard Taft Society Donors of the UC Alumni Association. Must have a valid UCAA card and a photo ID.

New users from Northern Kentucky University should first visit The Desk @ Langsam Library with their NKU ID to verify their access privileges and obtain a UC Libraries Borrower's Card. NKU users can check out up to five items for a three week loan period, with three renewals on items provided that the item is not needed by another library patron.

The Tower Society recognizes our donors whose lifetime gifts provide critical support to sustain growth and momentum for the university, creating vital opportunities to advance education, outreach and research efforts. Members of the Tower Society receive the following privileges:

• 5-item check-out limit 
• 3-week loan period with 1 renewal 
• On-site database access at public-access workstations 
• Langsam Library access with photo ID after The Desk closes. (Check Langsam hours here.)

Some library locations provide technology and accessories for students affiliated with their related colleges.

• Langsam Library: 
  • phone and laptop chargers (3 day loans)
  • scientific and graphing calculators (3 day loans)
  • laser pointers (3 day loans)
  • piano recording kits (1 day loan)
• Nursing students: Contact the CATER Help Desk.
  
• College of Medicine students seeking to reserve or borrow AV equipment or laptops, contact HSL Circulation at 513-558-0127
• DAAP students: laptops and cameras for DAAP only. Contact the DAAP IT staff.
• CCM Media students: audio, video and presentation equipment - Media Production Office. (Not available for non-CCM students taking CCM classes at this time.)
• CECH students: Find info on equipment for checkout at the CECH Library technology page. 
• Students of UC Clermont College should visit the Clermont College Library's Technology and Equipment page. (UC Clermont students only.)
• Student of UC Blue Ash campus should the UCBA Library's Equipment Lending page. (UC Blue Ash students only.)