Borrowing and Access Privileges

Students

Library Privileges for USC Students

Check OutsStandard Loan Period for most Books
200Semester

Overview of Services

Library accounts for current USC students include the following services:

  • Borrowing of up to 200 standard circulating material items at a time
  • Remote access to USC subscriptions of online journals, books and databases
  • Online Chat and 24/7 Email Reference
  • Inter-institutional borrowing services
  • Access to course reserves
  • Access to library Research Guides
  • Use of library scanners, photocopiers and microform readers
  • Paging materials from Grand Library
  • Recalling materials checked out by other users
  • Room reservations for collaborative work rooms, conference rooms, learning rooms, and auditoria
  • Reading room access for rare books and archival materials
  • Admission to library-hosted events and exhibitions
  • Remote document delivery (for students enrolled in distance education programs)

Students on leave and not enrolled in courses do not have remote access to electronic resources during the gap period.

Please note the following:

  1. Remote access to USC Libraries' electronic databases, electronic journals, electronic books, and other research websites is for the exclusive use of current USC students, faculty (including part-time), staff, post-docs, and official visiting scholars registered with a home department. Electronic resources are governed by license agreements, and the terms of use are set by the publishers and vendors from which they are subscribed.
  2. Library privileges are not transferable to other individuals, and the library reserves the right to request secondary picture identification before allowing access to facilities or providing services.
  3. Only USC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and sponsored guests may be present in libraries open after 9:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. All patrons will be asked to present their physical USCard, digital USCard + a government issued picture ID (for USC students enrolled in USC’s online programs), an Alumni Association physical or digital card + a government issued picture ID, or library-issued USC identification during these times.
Faculty and Professors Emeritus

Library Privileges for USC Faculty and Professors Emeritus

Check OutsStandard Loan Period for most Books
200Semester


Overview of Services

Library accounts for current USC faculty and retired faculty who hold the title Professor Emeritus include the following services:

Please note that membership in the Emeriti Center does not include remote electronic access to subscription resources. Such access is available only to those retired faculty with the Professor Emeritus designation. 

Faculty Proxy Privileges:

Proxy borrower cards may be provided for those members of the faculty who have a need or find it convenient to have an assistant retrieve library materials for them. While library borrowing privileges are not transferable, faculty may request that a joint proxy borrower's account be issued to permit a designated second party to check out library materials for the faculty member's use. A separate proxy borrower account must be requested for each individual authorized to borrow materials in the faculty member's name. The faculty member assumes full responsibility for all loans made on each proxy borrower account. Lack of response to recall and overdue notices for materials checked out by a proxy borrower may result in the suspension of both the delegated proxy borrowing privileges and the faculty member's personal privileges.

For security purposes, faculty must obtain proxy borrower cards in person. Faculty may present a USC ID at any library circulation desk and ask to complete the Request for Proxy Borrowing Privileges form. This form must be submitted to a full-time library staff member, as student library assistants do not have appropriate access to create a new borrower account. The USC Libraries will not issue a proxy borrower card if there are any stops on the faculty member's personal borrowing account, on any of the faculty member‘s existing proxy borrower accounts, or on the intended proxy borrower's personal borrowing record.

Proxy borrower accounts are valid for one semester. The desired proxy must be a current USC student or staff member. For security purposes, faculty should request extensions for their proxy account privileges in person (or via email through your USC email account to dmlnotes@usc.edu). It is the faculty member's responsibility to notify the USC Libraries if proxy borrowing privileges should be terminated to prevent unauthorized use of the card.

Please note the following:

  1. Remote access to USC Libraries' electronic databases, electronic journals, electronic books, and other research websites is for the exclusive use of current USC students, faculty (including part-time), staff, post-docs, and official visiting scholars registered with a home department. Electronic resources are governed by license agreements, and the terms of use are set by the publishers and vendors from which they are subscribed.
  2. Library privileges are not transferable to other individuals, and the library reserves the right to request secondary picture identification before allowing access to facilities or providing services.
  3. Only USC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and sponsored guests may be present in libraries open after 9:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. All patrons will be asked to present their physical USCard, digital USCard + a government issued picture ID (for USC students enrolled in USC’s online programs), an Alumni Association physical or digital card + a government issued picture ID, or library-issued USC identification during these times.
Staff and Post-Docs

Library Privileges for USC Staff and Post-Docs

Check OutsStandard Loan Period for most Books
200Semester


Overview of Services

Library accounts for current USC staff and post-docs include the following services:

In addition, research staff and post docs may also receive proxy borrowing accounts.

 

Please note the following:

  1. Remote access to USC Libraries' electronic databases, electronic journals, electronic books, and other research websites is for the exclusive use of current USC students, faculty (including part-time), staff, post-docs, and official visiting scholars registered with a home department. Electronic resources are governed by license agreements, and the terms of use are set by the publishers and vendors from which they are subscribed.
  2. Library privileges are not transferable to other individuals, and the library reserves the right to request secondary picture identification before allowing access to facilities or providing services.
  3. Only USC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and sponsored guests may be present in libraries open after 9:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. All patrons will be asked to present their physical USCard, digital USCard + a government issued picture ID (for USC students enrolled in USC’s online programs), an Alumni Association physical or digital card + a government issued picture ID, or library-issued USC identification during these times.
Alumni

Library Privileges for USC Alumni

Check OutsStandard Loan Period for most Books
204 Weeks


Overview of Services

To give recent graduates time to join the Alumni Association, the USC Libraries extends library borrowing privileges and remote access to databases and electronic resources for one semester past the last semester of enrollment in courses.

Library accounts for alumni include the following services based on availability:

  • Borrowing of up to 20 standard circulating items at a time (see information below on how to apply for borrowing privileges)
  • Online chat and 24/7 email reference assistance
  • Access to our Research Guides
  • Facility access for all USC Libraries locations
  • Use of library information kiosk computers in the Doheny Memorial Library (DML). Access can be requested at the DML Circulation Desk.
  • Use of library scanners, photocopiers and microform readers
  • Paging of materials from Grand Library
  • Recalling materials checked out by other users
  • Reading room access for rare books and archival materials
  • The following resources are available for residents of Los Angeles: You can apply for a Los Angeles Public Library card and get access to LAPL's e-resources
  • Our library tips page provides information on freely accessible resources with scholarly content.

 

Applying for borrowing privileges:
Alumni may apply for borrowing privileges in person at the circulation desk in the Doheny Memorial Library by presenting their USC Alumni Card (physical or electronic) + current photo ID, and by completing a Library Card Request Form to update their account information.

Services not available to alumni:

  • Remote access to USC Libraries databases and electronic resources 
  • Interlibrary loan/document delivery services
  • Visitors can request access to information kiosk computers (stand-up terminals only) on-site at the circulation desk in the Doheny Memorial Library. Guest login expires automatically after 30 minutes and may be renewed at staff discretion for an additional 30 minutes, for a total of 60 minutes per day.

 

Please note the following:

  1. Remote access to USC Libraries' electronic databases, electronic journals, electronic books, and other research websites is for the exclusive use of current USC students, faculty (including part-time), staff, post-docs, and official visiting scholars registered with a home department. Electronic resources are governed by license agreements, and the terms of use are set by the publishers and vendors from which they are subscribed.
  2. Library privileges are not transferable to other individuals, and the library reserves the right to request secondary picture identification before allowing access to facilities or providing services.
  3. Only USC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and sponsored guests may be present in libraries open after 9:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. All patrons will be asked to present their physical USCard, digital USCard + a government issued picture ID (for USC students enrolled in USC’s online programs), an Alumni Association physical or digital card + a government issued picture ID, or library-issued USC identification during these times. For further information about access to campus, please check the University's policy
Retired Faculty and Staff

Library Privileges for USC Retired Faculty, Staff, and Gold Card Holders

Check OutsStandard Loan Period for most Books
204 Weeks

Overview of Services

Retired USC faculty and staff who are Gold Card holders are entitled to the library privileges listed below. Please note that membership in the Emeriti Center does not include remote electronic access to subscription resources. Such access is available only to those retired faculty with the Professor Emeritus designation. Please see the Faculty and Professors Emeritus tab for details.

For more information on the Gold Card, please contact the USC Emeriti Center.

  • Borrowing of up to 20 standard circulating items at a time
  • Online chat and 24/7 email reference assistance
  • Access to our Research Guides
  • Facility access for all USC Libraries locations
  • Use of library information kiosk computers in the Doheny Memorial Library (DML). Access can be requested at the DML Circulation Desk.
  • Use of library scanners, photocopiers and microform readers
  • Paging of materials from Grand Library
  • Recalling materials checked out by other users
  • Reading room access for rare books and archival materials
  • The following resources are available for residents of California: You can apply for a Los Angeles Public Library card and get access to LAPL's e-resources
  • Our library tips page provides information on freely accessible resources with scholarly content.

 

Services not available to retired faculty and staff:

  • Remote access to USC Libraries databases and electronic resources 
  • Interlibrary loan/document delivery services
  • Visitors can request access to information kiosk computers (stand-up terminals only) on-site at the circulation desk in the Doheny Memorial Library. Guest login expires automatically after 30 minutes and may be renewed at staff discretion for an additional 30 minutes, for a total of 60 minutes per day.

 

Please note the following:

  1. Remote access to USC Libraries' electronic databases, electronic journals, electronic books, and other research websites is for the exclusive use of current USC students, faculty (including part-time), staff, post-docs, and official visiting scholars registered with a home department. Electronic resources are governed by license agreements, and the terms of use are set by the publishers and vendors from which they are subscribed.
  2. Library privileges are not transferable to other individuals, and the library reserves the right to request secondary picture identification before allowing access to facilities or providing services.
  3. Only USC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and sponsored guests may be present in libraries open after 9:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. All patrons will be asked to present their physical USCard, digital USCard + a government issued picture ID (for USC students enrolled in USC’s online programs), an Alumni Association physical or digital card + a government issued picture ID, or library-issued USC identification during these times. For further information about access to campus, please check the University's policy
Visiting Scholars and Non-USC Visitors

Library Privileges for Visiting Scholars, Friends of the Library, and Non-USC Visitors

Check OutsStandard Loan Period for most Books
10 for non-affiliated borrowers (Friends of the Libraries)4 Weeks
20 for faculty and graduate students from affiliated institutions4 weeks


Overview of Services

Library services for current Friends of the Libraries, sponsored guests, visiting scholars, summer program participants, and approved members of affiliated institutions include the services below based on availability:

  • Borrowing of materials with a USC Libraries card:
    • Non-affiliated Individuals – Through Friends of the USC Libraries or through Friends of the USC Norris Library. For a gift of $100 or more, USC Libraries will issue a courtesy library card in the donor's name, valid for one year
    • Faculty, students, and researchers from the following institutions: Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and American Film Institute
    • High school and college students in selected programs through the USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative
  • Remote access to USC subscriptions to online journals, books and databases for visiting scholars registered with an academic unit at USC through the iVIP system
  • On-site access to USC subscriptions to online journals, books and databases for visitors who are not registered with an academic unit at USC and use of library information kiosk computers in the Doheny Memorial Library (DML). Access can be requested at the DML Circulation Desk
  • Access to our Research Guides
  • Access to library facilities
  • Use of library microform readers, scanners, and photocopiers (print cards are available for purchase in the Doheny Memorial Library)
  • Paging of materials from Grand Library
  • Online chat and 24/7 email reference assistance
  • Special Collections – The USC Libraries' Special Collections is a non-circulating research library open to the general public. Please consult these guidelines for first-time visitors.
  • The following resources are available for residents of Los Angeles: You can apply for a Los Angeles Public Library card and get access to LAPL's e-resources
  • Our library tips page also provides information on freely accessible resources with scholarly content.

 

Services not available:

  • Remote access to USC Libraries databases and electronic resources is not available, unless registered as visiting scholars with an academic department through iVIP.
  • Interlibrary loan/document delivery services are not available to visiting scholars (including those registered with an academic department through iVIP), Friends of the USC Libraries, Friends of the USC Norris Library, sponsored guests, or high school students.
  • Visitors can request access to information kiosk computers (stand-up terminals only) on-site at the circulation desk in the Doheny Memorial Library. Guest login expires automatically after 30 minutes and may be renewed at staff discretion for an additional 30 minutes, for a total of 60 minutes per day.

 

Please note the following:

  1. Remote access to USC Libraries' electronic databases, electronic journals, electronic books, and other research websites is for the exclusive use of current USC students, faculty (including part-time), staff, post-docs, and official visiting scholars registered with a home department. Electronic resources are governed by license agreements, and the terms of use are set by the publishers and vendors from which they are subscribed.
  2. Library privileges are not transferable to other individuals, and the library reserves the right to request secondary picture identification before allowing access to facilities or providing services.
  3. Only USC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and sponsored guests may be present in libraries open after 9:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. All patrons will be asked to present their physical USCard, digital USCard + a government issued picture ID (for USC students enrolled in USC’s online programs), an Alumni Association physical or digital card + a government issued picture ID, or library-issued USC identification during these times. For further information about access to campus, please check the University's policy