University of Pittsburgh Library System Reciprocal Borrowing Agreements and Special Borrower's Cards

University of Pittsburgh students and faculty can directly borrow books from the schools listed to the right. If you are a Pitt student interested in borrowing books from one of these institutions, please stop at the Circulation desk in Hillman Library and pick up a validation card. These cards are free, but you need your University ID to get one.

In the case of borrowing from CMU, Pitt students only need to present a valid ID and do not need a validation card.

Students and Faculty from the schools listed  to the right may receive, free of charge, a Special Borrower's Card . This card may be obtained from Hillman Library's Circulation Desk provided proper proof is presented.

For Students, you will need to present:
  1. Your College/University ID
  2. Proof of Current Registration
Acceptable forms of proof of registration:
  • Registration for the current semester.
  • Tuition statement for the current semester.
  • A letter on proper stationary showing that you are a student in good academic standing for the , signed by an advisor, instructor, dean or other school administrator.

 (Only one form of proof is necessary)

For Faculty, you will need to present:
  1. Your College/University Identification Card 
  2. Proof of current employment

Acceptable forms of proof of current employment:

  • A current pay stub 
  • A letter on proper stationary showing that you are currently employed by your institution, signed by a dean or other school administrator.

 (Only one form of proof is necessary)

Please call the Hillman Library Circulation desk at (412) 648-7800 if you have any questions concerning special borrowing procedures. We also recommend that you call ahead at night or on the weekend to ensure full-time staff will be on duty to help you.

 

Special Borrower's Card

If you're currently not affiliated with any of the above-listed schools and are interested in obtaining a Special Borrower's Card, one can be purchased at the Hillman Library Ground Floor Circulation Desk. The cost of the card is $50.00 for Pitt alumni and $100.00 for all others. The card is valid for a period of one year, and DOES NOT permit access to most online electronic resources, with PITTCat+, the University's online library catalog, a notable exception.

Only full-time circulation staff are permitted to issue a Special Borrower's card.

For complete information please view our Special Borrower's Rules and Regulations pamphlet. (PDF format). Note: You must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your system in order to view this file. Visit the Adobe Web site to download the Acrobat Reader.

Staff from Carnegie Mellon University and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh are also eligible to receive, at no cost, a Special Borrower's Card by presenting to the Hillman Library Circulation Desk:


1. Your Employee/University Identification Card
2. Proof of current employment

Acceptable forms of proof of current employment:
    * A current pay stub
    * A letter on proper stationary showing that you are currently
employed by your institution, signed by a dean or other school/human resource administrator.

(Only one form of proof is necessary.)

University of Pittsburgh Faculty: You are eligible to receive an Academic Research Reciprocal Borrower's Card. This card allows you, if you are planing to visit another university in the United States or Canada, to get a library card at selected institutions. Please visit the Circulation Department in Hillman Library for more information.
Click to access a list of participating universities.

1 Students, faculty and staff from Carlow College should check with Grace Library concerning borrowing of University Library System materials.
2 Students, faculty and staff from Duquesne University should check with Gumberg library concerning borrowing of University Library System materials.