International Students: A Guide to Using Pratt Libraries

What if Pratt Libraries don't have the book or article you need? There are a number of ways you can get materials from other libraries:

• Interlibrary Loan - Use Interlibrary Loan to request copies of articles, book chapters, and books that are not available. See our ILL FAQ here. 
• METRO - Pratt Libraries belong to METRO, a consortium of 300 libraries in New York City and Westchester County. Access to METRO Libraries is allowed only if the specific item needed is not available in a public library. A Pratt librarian must call for permission to obtain a METRO Card for you. METRO referrals do not permit you to borrow materials.
• Academic Libraries of Brooklyn (ALB) is a consortium of eight academic libraries in Brooklyn. ALB allows students, faculty and staff of any ALB member library to use the resources of the other member libraries. Pratt students have reading and borrowing privileges at each of the other seven member libraries.You need a current Pratt ID and an ALB card to gain access to ALB member libraries. To obtain a card, consult a librarian at the Reference Desk. Pratt students may only borrow up to 2 books at a given time from each of the ALB member Libraries. Each library's rules apply to Pratt students as ALB users.

Local public library systems like New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Library offer an incredible array of free electronic resources, including e-Books, audiobooks, research databases, video streaming platforms, and digital image collections. These libraries also offer a number of foreign language books, movies, and newspapers.

​Our Unlocking Local Public Library Collections research guide describes many of the free electronic resources available from these library systems, and breaks down the process of applying for a free library card online.