While Dibner Library has a wide range of both print and electronic books and journals, we certainly don't have everything. There isn't a library in the world that does; fortunately libraries are great at sharing. If there is a particular item you need for your research and it's not available here, we will be happy to help you get it. There are a few different ways to get materials from other libraries:

1)      Interlibrary Loan (aka document delivery): Simply fill out the online request form and have materials from other libraries sent here. Or, take advantage of WorldCat Advanced, which lets you search many libraries at once and easily request items that are not available at Dibner Library. Just click the "Dibner Library Request Now" link and fill out your contact information (login is required to use this service when off campus).

Journal articles generally take only one to two days to arrive, but they may take up to two weeks. Books may take three weeks to arrive.  Read the Interlibrary Loan FAQ for more information.

2)      Visit and Borrow from other NYU Libraries: If you can't wait to get that book into your hands, check the Bobst Library catalog to see if they have a copy. If they do, you can hop on the subway and borrow it using your NYU-Poly ID (update: we are currently exploring ways to make books from Bobst available for pick up at Dibner Library - stay tuned). You can access most electronic resources from the comfort of home either through the Dibner Library or Bobst Library web site. You need to use your NYU NetID to access databases via the Bobst site.  For more information on remote access and using NYU libraries other than Bobst, read the NYU access FAQ.

3)     Visit and Borrow from other Academic Libraries in Brooklyn: NYU-Poly is a member of the Academic Libraries of Brooklyn (ALB). With an ALB card and a valid NYU-Poly ID, Poly faculty and students may visit any of the other member libraries (see below), use resources on site and borrow up to two items at a time.  You can obtain an ALB card at the Dibner Library service desk. ALB member libraries include:

• Brooklyn College
• Long Island University
• Medgar Evers College
• New York City Technical College
• Pratt Institute
• St. Joseph's College
• St. Francis College

4)     Use Materials at a Library in the Metro NY Area: NYU-Poly is a member of the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO), a  membership organization of 270 libraries in the five boroughs of New York City and Westchester County. You may visit participating METRO libraries by obtaining a METRO referral card at our library service desk. A METRO referral card allows you to visit a library only to use a specified item that is not available through the above means. The referral is not for general use of a library's collection or services and does not allow borrowing privileges. Search the Member Directory here.

Have any questions? Ask a librarian.