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Borrow, Renew, and Return

Where can I borrow and return books, DVDs, calculators, and laptops?

Hostos Library | Circulation Desk

Photograph of the Hostos Library circulation desk

Circulating books (books from the main reading room), DVDs, laptops, and calculators can be checked out and returned at the circulation desk on the upper floor of the library, right next to the exit.

Where can I borrow and return textbooks?

Hostos Library | Reserves Room

Photograph of the Hostos Library reserves room

Reserve books--usually textbooks or other required books--can be checked out and returned in the reserves room, on the upper level of library in the room with all the photocopiers.

To borrow a textbook here, please tell the person working at the desk the title of your textbook, and its call number. If you don't know the call number, you can quickly use OneSearch to find it.

Because textbooks are required for everyone in your class, you can borrow a Reserves book for only two hours; that way everyone in your class will have the chance to read or photocopy the section for that week. 

How long can I borrow items?

Books from the Main Reading Room (downstairs, in the room with the long table)

These include great non-fiction books you can use for research, whether for class or your personal interests. We also have literature in English and Spanish (with a few books in French and other languages) including novels, short stories, poetry, and graphic novels.These books may be taken out for 8 weeks at a time. 

Reserve Books from the Reserve Room (upstairs, in the room with the photocopiers)

These are usually textbooks or other readings required by a professor for the entire class. You can borrow a Reserves book for only two hours so that everyone in your class has a chance to read or photocopy the section for that week. 

Other Circulating Materials including Calculators, DVDs, & Laptops

Circulating DVDs may be taken out for 1 week at a time. Laptops may be taken out for 1 week at a time. Calculators may be taken out for 14 days at a time.

How can I renew online?

AVOID LATE FINES!

Did you know? You can manage your account from anywhere, online. If you want to check when your book is due, or want to renew it, sign in here. 

1. Log in via OneSearch by selecting Sign In on the upper-right-hand corner.

screenshot of sign in link on upper right hand corner of OneSearch screen

2. Your name will now appear in this same upper-right-hand corner. Click on it! 

Screenshot of upper-right-hand corner displaying "your name will be here"

3. After selecting your name, the upper-right-corner will now have a section titled My Account. Please select My Account. 

Screenshot of upper-right-hand corner displaying "My Account"

4. You can review all your loans here - you can renew all of them, or click for more details and to choose certain items to renew. Please note that if someone else has requested your item, or if you've renewed already, you may not be able to renew!

Screenshot of loans with "renew all" circled in the top corner

How can I get read articles or books online?

Hostos Library has an extensive collection of e-books and online articles.

You can search for articles using one of our online databases, or use OneSearch to search for books, e-books, and articles in many databases at once.

Sign in with your CUNY username and password - the same that you use for BlackBoard and CUNY First.

Signing in lets you:

  • Read e-books and online articles
  • See when your loans are due
  • Renew your loan
  • Request books from other CUNY colleges

You do not need to sign in to:

  • Search for books, database articles, videos, and more using OneSearch

Here is how to sign into OneSearch. 

Option 1: Sign in when you try to read an online article/book and see this prompt:

screenshot of CUNY login box


Option 2: Sign in by selecting "sign in" on the upper-right-hand corner of OneSearch

 

screenshot with log in link circled on upper right hand corner of OneSearch

 

Your name will now appear in this same upper-right-hand corner. You are now signed into OneSearch.

Screenshot of upper-right-hand corner displaying "your name will be here"

📘 Hostos Library | Policies (fines, borrowing periods, and etc.)


For further information, please contact circulation. 

Loans or Fines

📧 circ@hostos.cuny.edu
📞 (718) 518-4222