Frequently Asked Questions
How do I borrow books and other materials from the
library?
How long can I borrow these materials for?
How do I go about renewing something I've checked out?
What if a book I want is already borrowed?
What about fines and overdues?
Can I lose my borrowing privileges?
BORROWING LIBRARY MATERIALS
Library users may borrow materials by presenting a currently valid Ursinus ID or
community borrowers card.
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LOAN PERIODS
The standard loan period for books is 30 days. (A longer loan period occurs from
mid-November to the end of the Fall semester in order that no books come due during the
semester break.) Ursinus faculty and staff may borrow books for six months. Loan periods
for special formats (i.e., videos, compact discs, etc.) may vary. All borrowed materials
are subject to recall. Students doing Honors research should see the Circulation
Supervisor to obtain a longer loan period for the materials they are using for their
research. These materials are subject to recall.
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RECALLS
A book in circulation may be recalled at the request of another Ursinus student, staff
or faculty member after the item has been in circulation for fourteen days. An item
requested for the reserve room may be recalled immediately. A notice will be sent to the
borrower who currently has the item. A recalled item must be returned by the new due date
indicated on the notice. When the recalled item is returned, the patron who requested the
recall will be notified by telephone, mail, or e-mail and the item will be held at the circulation
desk for ten days.
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RENEWALS
Books may be renewed in person, by telephone, or through the
"Your Account" function in the library catalog*. Books may be renewed once for an
additional loan period. However, items on hold for use by another patron or needed for
reserves may not be renewed.
* Overdue items are not renewable through the "Your
Account" function.
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HOLDS
You may place a hold on a book in circulation by coming to the circulation desk and
filling out a blue "Request for Reserve" card. You will be notified by telephone
or mail when the book has been returned. The book will be held for you at the circulation
desk for ten days. You may also request to place a book on hold through
the library catalog.
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OVERDUES
Patrons have a one day grace period to return books. Fines for overdue books will start
to accumulate two days after the book is due. Fines for overdue books accumulate at the
rate of 10 cents a day per book. A total of three overdue notices will be sent if a book
is not returned by its due date. Any book overdue for 30 day will automatically be
considered lost and a bill for the replacement cost of the book will be sent. If the book
is returned after the bill is generated, the replacement cost of the book will be replaced
by the accumulated overdue fine for the book.
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SUSPENSION OF BORROWING PRIVILEGES
The privilege to borrow library items will be suspended for the following reasons:
- Patron has 10 or more overdue items.
- Patron has unpaid library fines that exceed $20.00
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