Get a Library Card

UCI PhotoIDs are used as library cards for current students, faculty, and staff. (You may be asked to present a secondary photo identification if the photo on your UCI PhotoID has worn off.)

For those without UCI PhotoIDs, library cards are issued at no charge. Valid photo identification and proof of current UCI enrollment or employment is required.

Users include:

• Registered UCI students *
• UCI Emeritus and retired faculty
• UCI Faculty
• UCI retired staff
• UCI Staff
• UCI Medical Interns and Residents
• UCI Lecturers
• UCI Librarians
• UCI Post-doctorate researchers
• Visiting Faculty teaching at UC Irvine

* UCI graduate students on official leave of absence or on filing fee status pay an additional fee for library privileges, see fee-based cards.

Proxy Borrowers

UC faculty, academics, and administrative staff may arrange to have a proxy check out material for them. The proxy must be a paid employee of a UC campus or a currently registered UC student. Proxies are not to be used for spouses, domestic partners, children or friends. Doctoral candidates are not eligible to have proxies.

• Proxy cards are issued at any of the check out desks. An application form must be filled out and signed by the authorizing faculty or staff member.
• The person for whom items are borrowed remains responsible for all overdues, recalls, fines, and replacement bills that may be generated.
• Proxies are not to be used for spouses, domestic partners, children or friends.
• Doctoral candidates are not eligible to have proxies.

For more information, contact any check out desk.

Other UC Irvine, UC and some educational affiliates within the state of California also qualify for library cards at no charge. Verification of status is required. You will be asked to present a photo identification in addition to your library card.

Users include:

• Students, faculty, and staff from other UC campuses
• Emeritus and retired faculty and staff from any UC campus
• UCI Extension students
• Visiting graduate students enrolled at UCI
• UCI Extension faculty
• Immediate family of UC faculty and staff residing at the same address (must provide proof of address)
• Members of UC campus Alumni Associations
• Full-time faculty and librarians from accredited institutions of higher education in California
• Certificated school employees (K-12) living in the greater Southern California area (must provide a copy of Calif. State Teaching Credential and proof of current employment i.e. letter on school letterhead, school website)
• Public & private high school students in AP classes or in the International Baccalaureate Program (contact your high school librarian for more information)*
• Registered participants in various campus programs*

* Courtesy cards awarded at the discretion of the Libraries

Users who are not affiliated with the University of California or who do not qualify for courtesy cards may purchase library cards at one of the check out desks. You will be asked to present a photo identification in addition to your library card.

• A 6-month card ($24) or 12-month card ($48) is available to currently enrolled California State University, California community college, other UC extension students, and UC graduate students who have paid filing fees or are on an official leave of absence. Proof of current enrollment, paid filing fees, or leave of absence is required.
• A 12-month card ($75) is available to seniors, 62 years or older.
• A 12-month card ($80) is available to all other community users.