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**Getting Started with Library Research**

Learn how to use the GTU library, including finding books & articles & more.

Getting a library card at UC Berkeley library

 

GTU students and faculty may set up a free library card for the UC Berkeley Libraries. Their privileges will include up to 300 physical book checkouts at a time. The card does not allow remote access to UCB's licensed electronic resources or use of interlibrary loan. The full breadth of the Library's licensed electronic resources may be freely accessed (no library card required) from the public research computers in the libraries when you are on campus

 

To set up or renew your UCB library card

GTU students and faculty can request to set-up new library account or renew existing one remotely. Email the privileges desk - privdesk@library.berkeley.edu - with the following information:

  • full legal name (including middle name if they have one),
    • preferred name if different,
  • mailing address,
  • email,
  • telephone number,
  • proof of current enrollment or employment at GTU.
    • Students - a screen shot of your current class schedule.
    • Faculty/staff - a letter from your department/school verifying your current appointment or a screen shot of your GU employee portal showing your name and appointment.

If you are renewing an existing account, please include your current library card number.

Please note: this service is not available to community patrons, alumni, ATLA reciprocal borrowers, or other categories of cardholders, but borrowing cards can be purchased from UCB directly using the same email. More information about borrowing cards is available on UC Berkeley's library website.

Please start your application by email and then pick-up your library card by presenting photo ID at the Privileges Desk during that desk's open hours. 

Searching for and Requesting Items at UC Berkeley Libraries

  1. Find the title you want in UC Library Search (make sure to use the Advanced Search), and click on its title. Verify that the status of the copy is “Available” in one of the participating libraries listed at the top of this page.
  2. Click on Request, under the Get It heading.
  3. Log in with your UC Berkeley library card info: Patron/PIN
  4. For each request, you will receive a notification when the item is available for pickup. After you receive an email confirmation that your holds are ready, you can pick up your items at the Moffitt third-floor Circulation Desk. Items are held for your for seven days (not counting weekends), and then they are returned to the shelves if they are not picked up. 

Your borrowing privileges only extend to UC Berkeley Libraries' items, but the UC Libraries' search system includes ALL the UC libraries across the state. You'll want to use the Advanced Search: 

Below you'll see the option you'll want to select in the advanced search so that you only see what is available to you. 

You will also want to limit, using the options on the left side of the list of search results, to items held in the library. Your borrowing privileges only cover print resources. 

For a more in-depth tutorial on the UC Search system, see the UC Berkeley Libguide on it.

Northern Regional Library Facility (NLRF)

The University of California has a storage facility in Richmond, CA for library materials: The Northern Library Regional Facility (NLRF). 

Exterior of NRLF

Before you visit, be sure to apply for privileges at the Doe Library in Berkeley.

Open hours are limited, so be sure to check the NLRF Reading Room hours before you visit.

You can also use your UCB library card to request NLRF items be delivered to any UCB library branch.