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 All items in the regular circulating collection (includes books, oversize material, videos, CDs, DVDs, and cassettes) 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. Reserve materials and bound periodicals have difference circulation policies.
Fines There are no overdue fines for items in the regular circulating collection, except when items that have been recalled are not returned by the specified recall due date. (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.)
Laptop Computers Laptops may be checked out for an 8 hour loan period, as well as overnight if checked out after 6 pm. 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. 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.
Bound Periodicals The loan period for bound periodicals is three days, with an overdue fine of $1 per day. Only faculty and graduate students can check out bound periodicals. Current (unbound) periodicals do not circulate.
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.