Library Accounts
A valid UC Davis Library account is required to borrow and renew materials and to place recalls or requests. Please review our Library Account and Card Expectations policy.
Library Account Eligibility
Anyone may apply for an account at the UC Davis library. A variety of courtesy and fee-based library account types are offered depending on your university affiliation status.
UC Davis Faculty, Staff and Student Library Accounts
Library privileges are automatically active for current UC Davis faculty, staff, and students.
UC Davis faculty and students are also eligible for library privileges at:
- All UC campuses: Must present employee or student ID to borrow materials.
- CSU Sacramento: Must present employee or student ID to borrow materials and proof of current appointment/registration.
- Stanford University (excluding Lane Medical Library): Must register in advance at Shields Library or Blaisdell Medical Library; must provide a digital photo for their Stanford library card at the time of registration. Limited to UC Davis faculty and graduate students only.
If you need a physical library card, you may request one at the Shields Library Circulation Desk.
Proxy cards, which authorize borrowing by proxy, may be issued to UC Davis faculty, staff and students with disabilities.
UC Davis Emeriti and Retiree Library Accounts
- Physical library materials: Emeriti and retirees retain the same borrowing privileges as when they were current employees.
- Remote access to electronic resources:
- Emeriti retain remote access to electronic library resources.
- Retirees do not have remote access to electronic resources.
- Library privileges at other universities: Emeriti also retain their library privileges at other select California universities as described above.
Proxy Library Accounts
Who can set up a proxy account:
- UC Davis faculty may designate up to four UC Davis students or staff as their proxies, authorized to conduct research on their behalf.
- Disabled UC Davis faculty, staff and students are are eligible to have one proxy.
How proxy accounts work:
- The faculty member or disabled user is the “Sponsor” while the individual acting on their behalf is the “Proxy.”
- The Sponsor must complete a Proxy application for each new Proxy account.
- Proxy applications are available online (see below) or at the Shields Library Circulation Desk.
- The Sponsor is responsible for all materials checked out by a Proxy and for responding to all notices and bills.
- Proxy accounts expire annually on June 30th and require a new proxy application to continue.
- To end a Proxy account before June 30th, the Sponsor must contact the library at shieldscirc@ucdavis.edu.
Apply for a Proxy Card (FACULTY SPONSOR)
Apply for a Proxy Card (DISABLED SPONSOR)
All Other Library Accounts
A variety of courtesy and fee-based library accounts are available for individuals who are not currently registered UC Davis students, faculty or staff.
These account applicants must apply for library privileges in person at Shields Library and provide:
- Current government-issued photo ID (e.g., state-issued ID, military ID, or passport)
- Proof of current California address; out-of-state or international applicants must also provide their permanent mailing address
- Verification of status and/or payment when registering (see account types below for verification and fee requirements)
- Credit and debit payments only. We can accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, DinaCard, and BCcard.
How to renew: Renewal of library privileges may be requested in person, by email or by phone. If this is a fee-based library account, payment is due at the time of renewal.
Account Types and Fees
Loan limits, due dates, and eligibility for our various borrowing services, will vary based upon your affiliation status, as detailed below.
Non-Affiliate Accounts
Cost
Free (with current alumni association membership)
Borrowing Limit
25 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
Yes, 5 maximum concurrently – service limited to UCD materials only (contact Library Circulation to place requests)
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
Library must be able to verify current CAAA membership or similar alumni association membership at another UC campus
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
10 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
Letter on institutional letterhead stating appointment titles and dates from principal or district
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
10 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
Letter on institutional letterhead stating appointment title and dates from dean or department chair
Cost
$10 for 3 months
Borrowing Limit
10 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
Student ID and proof of current registration
Cost
$100 per year
Borrowing Limit
25 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
Yes, 5 maximum concurrently – service limited to UCD materials only (contact Library Circulation to place requests)
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
Proof of current address; must be 18+ years old
Cost
- $10 for 3 months for Sacramento State Thesis Program students [OR}
- FREE for other active Sacramento State students
Borrowing Limit
10 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
- Sacramento State thesis program ID and verification of dates [OR}
- Sacramento State student ID and proof of current registration
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
50 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
Stanford-issued library card
UC Davis and Other UC Affiliate Accounts
Cost
- $10 for 3 months [OR]
- FREE for International English and Professional Program and Open Campus Program (requires CPE-stamped library application)
Borrowing Limit
10 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
- CPE ID or payment receipt
- CPE-stamped library application (CPE International English and Professional Program and Open Campus Program only)
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
300 items; up to a 1 year loan period
Request/Recall
Yes
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
Yes
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
Yes, current employees and emeriti only
Additional Verification Needed
Employee or Retiree ID; Library must be able to verify current employment or retiree status
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
300 items; up to a 1 year loan period
Request/Recall
Yes
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
Yes
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
Yes
Additional Verification Needed
Student ID; Library must be able to verify current registration or filing fee status
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
300 items; up to a 1 year loan period
Request/Recall
Yes
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
Yes
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
Yes
Additional Verification Needed
Employee ID; Library must be able to verify current employment status
Cost
$10 for 3 months max (if more than 30 days prior to start of term)
Borrowing Limit
300 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
Yes
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
Yes
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
Yes
Additional Verification Needed
Library must be able to verify incoming registration status
Cost
$10 for 3 months –OR- FREE if employed at UCD during leave
Borrowing Limit
10 items –OR- 300 items if employed at UCD during leave; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No -OR- Yes if employed at UCD during leave
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No -OR- Yes if employed at UCD during leave
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No -OR- Yes if employed at UCD during leave
Additional Verification Needed
Student ID; Library must be able to verify current PELP and UCD employment status
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
300 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
Yes
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
Yes
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
Yes
Additional Verification Needed
Library must be able to verify enrollment in an SSGPDP Tier 1-2 program
Cost
Free (department to be recharged, as applicable)
Borrowing Limit
10 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
Student ID (if issued); inclusion on program list supplied by department
Cost
$10 for 3 months
Borrowing Limit
10 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
Student ID; letter on institutional letterhead from professor or from professor’s campus email account
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
10 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
Inclusion on Chancellor’s or VC of Student Affairs lists
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
10 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
No
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No (may vary by temporary affiliate role)
Additional Verification Needed
Temporary Affiliate ID with current appointment in campus LDAP
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
300 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
Yes
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
Yes
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
Yes
Additional Verification Needed
Student ID; Library must be able to verify current registration status
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
300 items; up to a 4-week loan period
Request/Recall
Yes
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
Yes
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
Yes
Additional Verification Needed
Student ID; Library must be able to verify current cross-enrollment status
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
25 items; up to a 4 week loan period
Request/Recall
Yes, 5 maximum concurrently – service limited to UCD materials only (contact Library Circulation to place requests)
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No
Additional Verification Needed
Proof of address (must reside at same address as employee), employee must be faculty or career staff and have a library account in good-standing at the home campus
Cost
Free
Borrowing Limit
300 items; up to 90 days
Request/Recall
No. Requests must be placed through the home campus’ library
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
No. Requests must be placed through the home campus’ library
Remote Access to Electronic Resources
No. Access to electronic resources is through the home campus only, and is limited to current employees and emeriti only
Additional Verification Needed
Employee or student ID and active library account at the home campus in good standing. If presenting a Retiree ID, then the library must be able to verify current retiree status
How We Protect Your Privacy
In compliance with California State privacy laws, library staff may not disclose the identities of borrowers who have books checked out. Library staff will not discuss circulation or billing transactions with anyone other than the named account holder or Sponsor.