Circulation Services & Policies

General circulation

The circulation of library materials varies according to type and purpose of the items. Books, multi-media, and art prints, may be borrowed for a four-week period. Audiocassettes circulate for one week, videocassettes and CDs one day. If items in circulation are requested by another borrower they may be recalled after one week. Recalled books must be returned no later than one week after notification has been sent. Persons requesting an item to be recalled will be notified when the item has been returned, and must claim the item within one week. Holds also may be placed on items currently in circulation. The patron will be notified upon its return. In like manner, these will need to be claimed on week after notification. Four week books can be renewed both in person as well as by phone for an additional four week period. Non- circulating materials include reference books, bound and unbound journals, periodical indexes, and phonograph records. These are for use in the library only.

Reserve circulation

Circulation of reserve materials is restricted to current students, faculty and staff. These materials may be borrowed for two-hour, one-day, two-day or one-week periods. Renewals are possible if no hold has been placed on the material. Items borrowed within 2 hours of closing time are due the following workday.

Fines

Fines are charged for overdue materials at the following rates:

  • regular materials: $.20 per day per item
  • reserve materials: $.25 per hour or portion thereof, per item
  • maximum fine per item is $10.00
Overdue notices are printed overnight and mailed the following day. Second notices are sent after 2 weeks and an invoice for replacement cost of the item is sent after 4 weeks. Fines/charges not paid within a week of the issuance of the invoice will be placed on the student's account in the business office, together with a $5.00 service charge. Borrowing privileges for community borrowers with outstanding fines/charges will be suspended pending payment.

Replacement cost for lost or damaged items:

  • $40.00 for post-1980 imprints
  • $75.00 for pre-1980 imprints

Community borrowers

All library users over 18 who are not currently registered students, faculty or staff of the two supporting institutions will be issued a special borrower's card upon payment of an annual fee of $25. This fee will cover borrowing privileges for one calendar year from date of issuance. Special borrowers will have borrowing privileges for general circulation items. They will not have borrowing privileges for reserve material, journals, compact discs, videocassettes, phonograph records, or other non-print materials. In addition, they will not have inter-library loan privileges.

Inter-library loan

Libraries may borrow items from Hiebert Library. Requests should be made via OCLC or on ALA forms. OCLC requests are processed first. Only materials from the regular collection will be loaned. The lending period is three weeks. Photocopies are made for other libraries at a charge of $.10 per page, plus a $2.00 postage and handling charge per request.