Circulation Policies

• A valid University of Iowa ID card or Libraries issued borrower permit is required for check-out.
• Application for a borrower permit or other library-issued cards may be made at the Main Library South Circulation Desk or the appropriate branch library.

Loan Periods

Borrower Type Books* (open stack and storage with call numbers) Periodicals* Periodicals in Storage* Course Reserve Borrowing Limits Faculty and P&S Staff due June 1   1 week   4 weeks Loan periods range from 2 hour to 1 week.  Please inquire at each library. 1,000 Graduate & Honor Students due twice a year, Jan & June 500 Undergraduates & Merit Staff 4 weeks 100 Community Borrowers 4 weeks 25   *Unless recalled earlier

• Some items such as materials in reference, special collections, and some open stacks books may not be checked out.  They must be used in the library because of their historical value, fragile condition, or frequent use.

 

Renewal

Borrower Type Books Journals Course Reserves Billed Material Faculty and P&S Staff Items must be brought into a library (excluding Law & Curriculum Lab) for renewal.   Renew online using My Account   No renewals allowed for these high demand materials.   All patrons must bring billed material into a library to renew. Graduate & Honor Students Undergraduates & Merit Staff Renew online using My Account

• Check with individual libraries or Main Library units for exceptions to loan periods and renewal policies.  In particular, policies for journals, newspapers, music scores, sound recordings, video recordings, microforms, software and other special materials may vary.

 

Recall

• All items checked out can be recalled by another reader or for Reserve.

• The recall due date overrides the original due date.
• Books may be recalled back by the original user if they were not recalled for Reserve.
• Readers are guaranteed two weeks with a book if it is recalled by another reader.  If it is recalled for Course Reserve, there is no guarantee of the first two weeks of the loan.
• When classes are in session, being out of town, failing to maintain a current address or failing to read your e-mail will not be considered valid excuses for their delayed return.
• All patrons are blocked from further check out if they have two or more overdue recalls.  Community Borrowers are blocked with one overdue recall.

 

Fine Rates

 

Loan Periods Fine Rate Maximum Fine Hourly loans $2.40 per hour   (4¢/minute) $40.00 Daily non-reserve loans (1 day, 3 day, 7 day etc.)  50¢ per day overdue $15.00 Daily Reserve loans $4.00 per day overdue $40.00 Recalled materials $4.00 per day overdue $40.00 Material that circulates for 2 weeks or longer No daily fine accrues $10.00 replacement fine if/when billed for replacement cost

 

Replacement Charges

A user who has not returned material after a reasonable time period is billed for its standard replacement cost and any associated fine.

• When billing a user for a lost library book, the default replacement cost charged is based on the average cost of books supplied to us by the current vendor and, as a result, will change periodically.  [$70.00/book in 2007 based on the average cost of $68.10 for 2005/06 from YBP.] If library staff have evidence that the replacement cost of an item is likely to be higher or lower than the default charge (not including any labor or overhead), that price may be charged instead. 
• The default replacement cost of a photocopied journal article placed on reserve is $5.00. 

• The replacement cost charged for a serial volume is the latest subscription price or the cost of a microform replacement (if the default is not used).

 

Notices

• Recall, Reminder and Overdue notices are sent via e-mail.

• Students, staff, and faculty are responsible for checking their University of Iowa e-mail or establishing a routing address. Permit holders should make sure the e-mail address on file with the Libraries is current.
• The Libraries use the official “alias” e-mail addresses that are assigned for students, faculty and staff by ITS. Library staff does not have the authority to change your “routing” address.
• Notices will only be sent via surface mail if there is no e-mail option.

 

Billing

• Billing is handled by the University Billing Office; the Libraries do not collect payment directly.
• If you don't understand a library charge on a University of Iowa Statement for library fines or library books, please contact Main Library Circulation Services.

 

Blocks

Borrowers are blocked from borrowing or renewing material when they have reached the following limits:

 

Maximum # of Items Maximum # of Overdue Items Maximum # of Overdue Recalls Maximum # of Simultaneous Requests Faculty and P&S Staff 1,000 500 2 999 Graduate & Honor Students 500 250 2 98 Undergraduates & Merit Staff 100 50 2 25 Community Borrowers 25 5 1 3

 

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More questions?  Visit our FAQ on borrowing materials