Circulation Policies
See the Web page on Service Policy for information on who is eligible to use the library, check materials out, and so on.
Loan Periods Items in the regular circulating collection (Judaica and main downstairs stacks including oversize) are loaned for 90 days to graduate students, four weeks to undergraduates, university staff, alumni and special patrons, and one year to library staff and faculty.
Fines There are no overdue fines for items in the regular circulating collection. (See the Items Not Returned section below, however, for details about fees associated with items that are not renewed or returned in a timely manner.) Overdue fines for other items (e.g., non-print materials, but NOT laptops or recalled items) are $.20 per day.
Non-Print Materials Videos,cassettes, slides, and other media have a two week loan and a 7-day grace period. Overdue fines are $.20 per day. If an item is returned after the grace period, the overdue fine will accrue from the actual day the item was due.
Laptop Computers Laptops may be checked out for an 8 hour loan period, as well as overnight if checked out within 4 hours of the library's closing time. Laptops must be returned to the library's circulation desk and NOT to the book drop. Fines for overdue laptops accrue at the rate of $7.50 per hour, with a 61 minute grace period. The user is responsible for replacement costs for lost or damaged laptops or laptop accessories. For more information, see Policies and FAQ for Circulating Laptops.
Returns Regular items may be returned to any library or book drop on campus, but books are not considered "returned" until they are discharged in the Divinity Library. Returning books to locations other than the Divinity Library may result in a three to four day delay before they are available for other persons to check out.
Renewals Items may be renewed online up to four times for students, alumni and staff. Items with a one year loan period checked out by faculty members may be renewed up to three times online. To renew online, go to Renewals.
Recalls Any patron may recall an item checked out by another patron. The person who has the item checked out must then return it within seven days of the recall. However, if the patron has had the book less than two weeks, the recall will be placed on the fourteenth day from the original checkout. Recall fines are $1.00 per day with no grace period.
Reserves Loan periods for reserves vary, but most items are two hour or one day. All reserve items should be returned to the Divinity Library service desk. Overdue fines for two-hour reserves are $.60 per hour. Fines for one day items are $1.00 per day. Students cannot renew reserve items online. The item must be returned to the service desk before it can be renewed.
Items Not Returned Replacement of items not returned by patrons is charged by a formula: cost of book + cataloging fee ($35) + (non-refundable) billing fee ($25). To avoid such costs, renew your materials promptly or return them to the library.
If you have any questions concerning circulation policies, please ask at the Public Services Desk or call (615) 322-6992.