UCLA library

A walk-through of the UCLA libraries and all of the services provided.

Powell Library

The UCLA library is one of the largest academic libraries in the country, according to the American Library Association. It has 12 million print and electronic volumes in its collection, receives 3.5 million in-person visits annually and has over 15 million virtual visitors on its website. Its services are not only limited to students and faculty in the UCLA community; in fact, many of its services are open to the general public. Visit the UCLA library in-person or online through the link below.

Although Powell Library is the most iconic library at UCLA with its towering brick structure facing the one-of-a-kind Royce Hall, it is not the only one on campus.

The libraries at UCLA serve the community by lending books, devices and providing other services. Below is a breakdown of the available library services. 

Borrowing books and other research materials

UCLA libraries are open-stack; anyone has direct access to books and journals on the shelves of in-person libraries. Use the UC Library Search catalog for titles that are difficult to find. Library staff will be able to scan and mail documents needed from the in-house texts and other resources. No ID is required for these services. 

To check out a physical book from the library, a BruinCard or a UCLA library card is needed. Members of the general public may purchase a UCLA library card at the Biomedical Library and Research Library circulation desks for $100 annual charge.

For more information on borrowing books and other research materials, click here.

Borrowing devices

The College Library Instructional Computing Commons (CLICC) loans devices like Chromebooks, Mac and Windows laptops, and iPads. The loans last for one week and can be renewed once; this service is limited to UCLA students.

Other library services

The UCLA library also provides extensive research help. There are online research workshops one can attend alongside the option to schedule a research consultation with an instructor for guidance on a specific project and/or area of study.

Students can also reserve study spaces to work on group projects or do work on their own. Reserve a library study space with the button below.

Visitors are also able to print, copy and scan using the library machines. A BruinCard is needed in order to use the self-service printers and copiers. Non-UCLA students can purchase a visitor BruinCard at a BruinCard machine available in all major campus libraries like Powell and Young libraries.