UAlbany and Albany Public Library Partnership Offers More Access to Library Resources

Students hold up their new Albany Public Library cards at University Library

Students can now get an Albany Public Library card using their campus ID and address.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Apr. 7, 2026) — Check it out! Students and Albany residents now have access to more books, media and more through a new reciprocal borrowing partnership between the University at Albany (UAlbany) and the Albany Public Library (APL).

The initiative makes it easier for students and community members to discover and borrow materials from Albany Public Library branches and University Libraries.

“This partnership reflects UAlbany’s deep commitment to community engagement by connecting our libraries in ways that make learning, discovery, and access easier for students and for the broader Albany community,” said Kabel Nathan Stanwicks, associate University librarian for collections and discovery. “We’re seeing strong interest from Albany residents registering for borrowing privileges, and our students are exploring popular e‑books, audiobooks and graphic novels through the Albany Public Library. We’re excited by this early enthusiasm and look forward to growing the partnership in ways that continue to benefit both our students and the Albany community.”

UAlbany students can sign up for a free Albany Public Library card at any APL location using their University ID card and address, allowing them to borrow up to 100 items at a time, including books, digital media, museum passes and makerspace equipment.

At the same time, Albany Public Library cardholders can now use their APL card at UAlbany’s libraries to borrow books and other materials from the University’s collections. Items can be picked up at the Dewey Graduate Library on the Downtown Campus, with 24/7 parcel lockers offering flexible pickup any time, day or night.

"We've made access to University Libraries so easy," said Deanna DiCarlo, APL's Head of Branch Services. "APL patrons just need to fill out a brief application at any of our seven branches and within about a week the scholarly works found in UAlbany's rich and diverse holdings will be available to them."

Together, these expanded borrowing options give users more flexibility in how and where they borrow materials — whether for coursework, research or personal interest — while offering a broader range of collections across the city.

Residents who do not yet have an Albany Public Library card can register at any APL branch to participate.