University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries participates in several reciprocal borrowing programs that provide current UF campus-affiliated users with in-person library borrowing privileges at participating institutions. Privileges vary by program as well as by patron status; each participating library has its own local policies.
OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program (RFBP)
The OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program gives faculty members borrowing privileges and on-site access to the collections of other participating academic research libraries institutions in the United States and Canada.
UF Faculty Visiting Other OCLC Program Institutions
- UF full-time faculty in good standing with the libraries are eligible to participate in the OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program.
- Faculty interested in obtaining an OCLC scholar card should complete the OCLC Scholar Card application.
- Library staff will issue an OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program card. The card is valid for one year.
- To borrow materials from participating libraries, you must present your UF Faculty ID card as well as the Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Card and any other relevant identification required by the lending institution.
- Access and privileges may vary from institution to institution.
- The lending library determines whether the card will be accepted for on-site use and/or borrowing.
- Check the list of participating institutions (PDF) in the OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program to see if the institution you are interested in visiting is listed.
- Please note, this list is not constantly updated by OCLC, the listed institutions may change their participant status from time to time. It is important to reach out to the lending library before you visit to ensure that the scholar card will be honored, and you will be well received.
Faculty from Other OCLC Program Institutions Visiting UF
University of Florida Libraries offer borrowing privileges to faculty from institutions participating in the OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program.
OCLC scholar responsibilities:
- Follow and observe the UF Libraries’ Policy and regulations.
- Return materials within the prescribed loan period. Recalled materials must be returned immediately.
- Pay overdue fines and charges for damaged and lost materials.
University of Florida Libraries may suspend privileges at its discretion.
Prior visiting UF
- Follow your home institution’s process to obtain OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrower Program Card (OCLC Scholar Card).
- Ask your home institution to send an email to LibWestServices@ad.ufl.edu to confirm that you have been issued a scholar card. This email must include::
- Subject: OCLC Scholar Card Holder (Last Name, First Name) visiting University of Florida Libraries
- Body:
- Your name
- Your home institution
- Your institution ID number
- Your permanent address
- Your primary phone number
- Your institution provided email address (e.g. name@institution.edu)
- Verification an OCLC scholar card has been issued to you.
- Name and contact for individual verifying the card, in case we have follow up questions
- Requests will be reviewed by the Library Administration. Please allow 2-3 business days for processing.
- When your application is granted, you will get an email confirmation from UF libraries with instructions for picking up your UF library card and a GatorLink login that allows you to log in to the Libraries’ catalog to renew your items, make requests from offsite storage, and access the Libraries’ electronic resource while in the Library building.
Visiting UF libraries:
- Present your OCLC scholar card and your home institution faculty ID at the Circulation Desk of Library West to pick your UF courtesy card.
- You will be allowed to borrow up to 10 items for 3 weeks. Your card is good for one year, and you are subject to the same fines as UF users. We do not provide off-campus access to electronic resources to visiting scholars, but you can use your GatorLink login to access the libraries’ electronic resources in the library building.
Florida State University and College Reciprocal Borrowing Program
UF Libraries has a reciprocal borrowing agreement with all other public Florida State Universities and Colleges as part of the Florida Distance Learning Library Initiative. This agreement among Florida public universities and colleges entitles any current university or college student, staff, or faculty member to walk in and check out materials from any Florida public university or college. Your home institution ID will function as your library card and must be present at the time of check-out.
UF Faculty, Staff and Students visiting other Florida College / University Libraries
- UF faculty, staff and students in good standing with the libraries are eligible to participate.
- To borrow materials from participating libraries, you must present your UFID and any other relevant identification required by the lending institution.
- Each participating library establishes their own reciprocal borrowing policies and procedures.
- To determine a participating library’s policy, including any addition steps required prior to borrowing materials and loan limits, review that library’s webpage. List of supported institutions.
Florida College System and Florida State University System borrowers visiting UF
Prior visiting UF
- Please complete the Access to Library Services Application two business days prior to visiting the UF Libraries.
- In the university affiliation type field, select State College and University System Faculty, Staff or Student
- Some materials (such as eBooks) and services are not available to reciprocal borrowers.
Visiting UF libraries:
- Once you have been approved you may borrow materials or use services under the Reciprocal Borrowing program. Present your home institution faculty ID at the Circulation Desk of Library West to pick your UF courtesy card. You will be allowed to borrow up to 10 items for 3 weeks.