Doing research in NYC without being a student

[Bad Dreams]

I am a grad student in Chicago. I have to move to NYC next year for research and live there for a year. 

But there is something that scares me, as I have to get inter-library loans from various universities. Could I use NYU or Columbia Library without being their student? Or NYPL would be my only option? 

Any suggestions would be appreciated! 

[PokePsych]

Columbia has a membership thing. I think you cannot even enter most buildings without a student or 'community' (e.g., family/spouse) pass. You can probably email them about this though.

[AP]

Talk to your account manager in your campus library. In general, University Libraries (typically members of the ARL) can give you an account if your school and you show evidence that you are doing research and will reside in NYC because of that. I've worked at my university library and we have accommodated this in the past. 

[LazarusRises]

Is this independent research? If not, talk to whatever institution is sponsoring it, they should have options for you. If so, definitely get a NYPL card and check in with NYU/Hunter/Columbia/the New School to see if you can get library access.

[birvxine]

NYPL is a good option if you can't get an alternative affiliation. You can apply to their research rooms which give you card access to a quiet working space, order their collections to be delivered to the room and you can ILL. https://www.nypl.org/about/locations/schwarzman/research-study-rooms