Most borrowed materials may be returned toany Cornell library on the Ithaca, Geneva or Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC, New York City) campuses. If you are returning Ithaca/Geneva books to WCMC, please speak with the WCMC staff to let them know you are returning offsite materials. If you have questions about returning books to Cornell Tech, email library@tech.cornell.edu.
Exceptions – The following materials must be returned directly to the libraries from which they were issued:
- Reserve books (hourly loans, 1- or 2-day loans)
- Laptops and other equipment
- Law Library interlibrary loans
- Fragile items
- Any special loan materials, as indicated by the issuing library (may include journal issues, videos, DVDs, CDs, manual loans, etc.)
How to Return Books
To bookdrops and at a circulation desk
Items may be placed in the book returns located outside of the libraries (after closing) or may be returned at the library circulation desks during open hours. See campus map with library locations and individual library maps for location of book returns, or contact the libraries for location information. Please note: If the outside book return is full, please do not force books into the box or leave them outside the box – return them to the circulation desk the next business day. You will not be fined for the additional time required to return books in person.
Please note that books cannot be returned through the Campus Mail delivery system.
By US mail or delivery service
Books returned through US mail, FedEx, DHL, UPS or other delivery service should be insured for a minimum value of $100 per item. Please address packages to:
Library Public Services Office
116 Olin Library
161 Ho Plaza
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Please be sure to include your name and contact information.
Drive-up Locations
Locations of libraries or book drops that are accessible by car (on-site parking or nearby 15-minute parking):
- Adelson Library of Ornithology
- Africana Library
- Engineering Library (bookdrop is located at the north entrance to Carpenter Hall. The bookdrop is cleared Monday – Friday.)
- Geneva Library
- Law Library
- Library Annex
- Management Library (south side by parking lot)
- Math Library (north side across from Bailey Hall)
Questions about Returns?
Contact us:
Library Public Services Office
(607) 255-5069
libpublicservices@cornell.edu
Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.