Skip to main content
Services & Resources Library Cards

More Information

UC Users

  • UCLA students, faculty and staff: Your BruinCard serves as your library card. Your library number is your University ID number plus the digit in the lower right corner on the back of your card.
  • Other UC students, faculty and staff: You can use your library card from your home campus.
  • Researchers working with UC faculty: Check out the Faculty Authorization (Proxy) Card page.
  • UCLA retirees: You are entitled to a free BruinCard upon retirement, which serves as your library card.
  • UCLA and UC alumni: Members of any UC Alumni Association can present their proof of membership at any circulation desk and get a free library card. These library cards do not provide off-campus access to UCLA's online subscription materials, but UCLA Alumni Association members who have made a gift of $100 annually to the UCLA Alumni Association Support Fund are eligible for remote access to select ProQuest Databases.
  • Graduate students on leave: You can buy Library privileges for $28 per quarter. Present verification of your leave to a library circulation desk for purchase.

External Users

  • Extension students: You can purchase a library card for $28 per quarter. Present proof of your enrollment at the Charles E. Young Research Library or Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library circulation desk for purchase.
  • Visiting scholar: Appointed Visiting Scholars can obtain a BruinCard with "Visiting Scholar" printed on it from the UCLA BruinCard Office. The BruinCard will serve as your library card once activated at any UCLA Library circulation desk. These cards do not provide off-campus access to UCLA's online subscription materials.
  • Visiting graduate researcher (VGR): Visiting Graduate Researchers with appointments longer than 3 months can obtain a BruinCard with "VGR" printed on it from the UCLA BruinCard Office. The BruinCard will serve as your library card once activated at any UCLA Library circulation desk. These cards do not provide off-campus access to UCLA's online subscription materials.
  • Community college and CSU students: Library cards are $25 for six months and $50 for one year. Present your student ID and a government-issued ID at the Research Library to purchase a card.
  • Donors: Individuals can obtain a UCLA library card with a $120 or more gift to the Library. Please present confirmation of your donation to the Biomedical Library or Research Library.
  • General public: Individuals over 18 can get a free access-only card. This card is required to use many Library facilities and services but does not allow users to borrow items. Members of the public over 18 years old can purchase a borrower card for $100 per year. Please present a current, government-issued photo ID at the Biomedical Library or Research Library to get a borrowing card.
  • High school students: Most students are not eligible for a library card. However, high school students in Advanced Placement courses with agreements with Powell Library can get free library cards. High school instructors who want to enroll their students in the program can email us at AskUs@library.ucla.edu.
  • Other external users eligible for free cards: If you belong to one of the following groups, provide proof of your membership status and a government-issued photo ID to obtain a free card.
    • Faculty and librarians at California institutions of higher education accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
    • Current members of certain university support groups and individuals in programs who are covered by agreements between UCLA and other institutions (if you have questions about whether you qualify, please email yrl-circ@library.ucla.edu)
    • Immediate family members (age 18+) of UCLA faculty and staff
    • UCLA Extension instructors (upon presentation of a UCLA Extension library card authorization form)
    • Certified K-12 public school employees in California

Library cards do not provide off-campus access to UCLA's online subscription materials.

Policies and Borrower Responsibilities

Card Renewals

Current UCLA faculty, staff and student cards will be renewed yearly until an individual leaves the university. All other library cards will expire annually (except quarterly cards). If your card has expired, please email the Research Library circulation desk at yrl-circ@library.ucla.edu.

Lost Library Cards

Lost or stolen BruinCards should be reported to the BruinCard Center at (310) 825-2336. If you lose your library-issued card, please report it to the Library by emailing us at yrl-circ@library.ucla.edu.

Updating Passwords & Contact Information

For UCLA students, faculty and staff:

  • Password changes: Library account login is managed using the UCLA Campus Bruin Online (BOL) system managed by UCLA IT. Use their online portal to update your password or troubleshoot login problems.
  • Contact/address updates: UCLA students, faculty and staff should notify the university of address changes by signing into their MyUCLA account.

For other users:

  • Password changes and contact/address updates can be done by logging into your library account.
  • In the UC Library Search catalog:
    • Select "My Library Account" and then "Community Users"
    • Enter your username (library card number) and password
    • Select your name in the top left corner and "Library Card" from the dropdown menu
    • Select the "Personal Details" tab on the right. From this screen, you can:
      • Edit your password by selecting "Update Login Credentials" on the right, or
      • Update your contact information by selecting "Edit Details" on the left.

Users who leave the area should arrange for their materials to be returned on time to avoid fines.

Associated Topics

Have Further Questions?

We're here to help. Chat with a librarian 24/7, schedule a research consultation or email us your quick questions.

Contact us
Contact us