Your Library Card
Your UC Santa Cruz photo identification card is your University Library card. You can go through your department office manager or supervisor to set up payment then go to ID card services next to the Baytree Bookstore to get the picture ID card. ID cards are produced on the spot.

Expiration Dates
Expiration dates coincide with the term of employment. If there is no expiration date (career status), cards expire yearly.  You can call the circulation desk to renew your card for another year and update any contact information.

• Long term loans
• Unlimited borrowing
• Remote access to licensed databases
• Reserves
• Interlibrary loan
• Film and Music Collection
• Proxy Library Cards
• Reciprocal borrowing privileges from Stanford University (must apply for a card by submitting the Stanford RSP form)

For Faculty
Proxy borrowing cards permit UCSC faculty to designate individuals of their choosing to borrow library material in their name to support faculty research.

• A proxy card application completed and signed by the faculty member needs to be presented to the Library Circulation staff at either library. The proxy must have a picture ID to set up the account and must be at least 18 years of age.
• Proxy accounts do not expire but faculty can view current proxies in the messages section of their library account.
• To remove proxies from one's account, faculty must email library@ucsc.edu, call a Circulation desk, or stop by a Circulation desk in person to make this request.
• The faculty member is responsible for any damaged, lost, overdue, or recalled material checked out on the proxy card.
• The library recommends limiting the number of proxy card holders to three in order to more easily manage your account. 
• Remote access to electronic resources requires a CruzID gold login. Non-affiliated proxy borrowers will need a hosted sundry account in order to gain remote access. Learn more about sponsoring a sundry account.

For Students
UCSC students who are registered with the Disability Resources Center (DRC) may have a proxy and can apply for a proxy card at either the McHenry Library or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desk.

Your UCSC paper or photo identification card can be made into a University Library card. 

Expiration Dates
Expiration dates coincide with the term of employment. If there is no expiration date (career status), cards expire yearly.  You can call the circulation desk to renew your card for another year and update any contact information.

• Long term loans
• Unlimited borrowing
• Remote access to licensed databases
• Course Reserves
• Interlibrary loan
• Film and Music Collection

• Student ID cards also serve as your Library card.  Undergraduate library accounts are renewed regularly based on current enrollment.
• Graduating students' privileges expire at the end of the quarter during which they graduate.
• ADA students refer to the proxy borrower section above.

• General collection materials for 90 days
• Unlimited borrowing
• Remote access to licensed databases
• Interlibrary Loan
• Course Reserves

• Student ID cards also serve as your Library card.  Graduate library accounts are renewed regularly based on current enrollment.
• Graduating students' privileges expire at the end of the quarter during which they graduate.
• ADA students refer to the proxy borrower section above.

• General collection materials for 2 full quarters
• Unlimited borrowing
• Remote access to licensed databases
• Interlibrary Loan
• Course Reserves
• Reciprocal borrowing privileges from Stanford University (must apply for a card by submitting the Stanford RSP form)

Concurrent enrolled students, students taking a class at the university through the University Extension program, are eligible for library cards.

• Library cards are issued at McHenry or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desks upon presentation of a receipt marked, "Library Fees Paid", either a paper copy or email.
• Privileges granted are the same as for Undergraduates.
• The library card will be valid until the end of the current quarter.

• Unlimited borrowing
• Remote access to databases
• Interlibrary Loan
• Course Reserves

UC Faculty may use their home institution ID card as their Library card. For those UC Faculty members who do not have an identification card issued by their home library or home institution, cards can be issued at the McHenry Library or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desk upon presentation of proof of UC employment.

• Unlimited borrowing
• Interlibrary Loan

*UC Benefits may be called if the borrower is a retiree and has no annuitant card (800-888-8267)

UC Staff may use their home institution ID card as their Library card. For those UC Staff members who do not have an identification card issued by their home library or home institution, a photo ID along with proof of UC employment may be used.

• Unlimited borrowing
• Interlibrary Loan

• UC Undergraduate Students may use their home institution identification card as their library card.

• Unlimited borrowing
• Interlibrary Loan
• Reserves

• UC Graduate Students may use their home institution identification card as their library card.

• Unlimited borrowing
• Interlibrary Loan
• Reserves

Library cards are issued at McHenry or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desks upon presentation of proof that he or she is a retired UC employee. The library card will expire at the end of each academic year.

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

*UC Benefits may be called if the borrower is a retiree and has no annuitant card (800-888-8267)

Persons enrolled in University Extension courses, courses taught through the extension program that is not associated with UCSC like concurrent students, are not eligible for a library card. They are welcome to join the Friends of the Library (at the student fee) to receive limited borrowing privileges. 

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

Library cards are issued at the McHenry Library or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desk. Patron must live in the state of California. Patron will need a current ID from the home campus or an introductory letter on institutional letterhead stationary, and a picture ID. Library cards are valid until the end of the current academic year and are eligible for renewal.

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

Library cards are issued at McHenry or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desks upon presentation of a letter (hardcopy or scanned and on a device) from a Cabrillo College Librarian. The library card will be valid for the duration of the research project, as indicated on the letter.

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

Stanford University faculty, academic staff, graduate students, and doctoral students participating in the Stanford University Reciprocal Program are eligible for library privileges at UCSC.

Library cards for this category of borrower are issued at the McHenry Library or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desk upon presentation of a valid Reciprocal Services Card. The expiration date on the card issued to this category of borrower should match the expiration date on the borrower's Reciprocal Services Card.

• Extended loans (contact the Circulation Desk for information about your particular loan period)
• Unlimited borrowing

Note: UCSC faculty, staff, and graduate students are also eligible for reciprocal borrowing privileges at Stanford. Please come to either of the circulation desks with your university ID to fill out an application.

Library cards are issued at the McHenry Library or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desk. Patron must have a signed letter from an appropriate administrator (such as a principal or vice principal) on institutional letter head, and a valid picture ID.

If the card is issued in the months of January-August, it will be valid through Sept. 30 of the current year. If the card is issued in the months of September-December, it will be valid through Sept. 30 of the following year.

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

Library cards are issued at McHenry or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desks upon presentation of a current staff ID card, or a Dominican card marked "Volunteer."

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

Upon presentation of a current Lawrence Livermore Laboratory employee ID card, lab employees will be issued a courtesy card which will be valid for one year.

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

Library cards are issued at the McHenry or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desk upon presentation of a picture ID with a current address and matching utility or other household billed item with the same address. Payment can be made in the form of a check or credit card (no money orders please) of the appropriate Community Borrower fee, or upon presentation of proof of membership in the Community Borrower Program. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a Community Borrower card. The expiration date is one year from the date of issue, or expiration of Community Borrower membership. Renewals can be made online or in person at our Circulation Desks.

Note: When applying in person, Community Borrower accounts will be limited to 3 checked out items for the first two weeks of membership.

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout
• Off-campus access to the ProQuest Research Library

Note: Lifelong Learners (OLLI members) are eligible for library borrowing privileges by purchasing a Community Borrower card at the student rate.

Immediate family includes a spouse or domestic partner and children over the age of 18 who are living at the same address as the UCSC faculty or staff. Library cards for this category of borrower are issued at the McHenry Library or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desk.

• The family member must be accompanied by the UCSC faculty or staff member, OR
• The family member must have a letter on letterhead stationary from the requesting UCSC staff or faculty member, AND have a current picture ID. 
• The expiration date will match the faculty or staff member's library account expiration date.

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

Library cards are issued at the McHenry Library or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desk upon presentation of proof of membership in any regular UC Alumni Association and a picture ID. Library cards will be given a yearly expiration date and can be renewed annually by showing a photo ID at the Circulation Desk. You must have attended the university for some period of time to become a member of the UC Alumni Association. To find out more, go to Services for Alumni.

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout
• UCSC alumni can request off-campus access to the ProQuest Research Library through the UCSC Alumni Association

Visiting scholars must provide proof of association with UCSC by presenting a letter on institutional letterhead from a UCSC faculty member or department office. Library cards are issued at McHenry or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desks. The card is valid for the period of time described in the letter or until the end of the current academic year.

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

Library cards are issued at McHenry or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desks upon presentation of proof of UCSC retiree status. The library card will expire annually.

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

The Head or Director of each summer conference program may request borrowing privileges. The program will be required to accept responsibility for all material checked out by participants in the program.  Notify the library in writing or email circulation@ucsc.edu with the following information:

• The subject of the program and confirmation that the program is academically affiliated with UCSC
• The name and contact information for the individual responsible for all material checked out to the participants in the program
• The start and end dates of the program
• A list of all eligible participants

• 3-week loans
• 25 item checkout

Library borrowing privileges must be approved by the University Librarian or designee. Privileges granted must comply with licensing/vendor contracts.