CUL Gateway: Policies for Library Card Holders

Services : Circulation : Card Holder Policies

Circulation is the library’s name for lending and borrowing material from the Cornell collections. The purpose of the Cornell University Library’s circulation policies is to encourage timely and equitable access by Cornell faculty, students, and staff to books, journals, and other items which they need for teaching, learning, and research.

Circulation Loan Periods

The Regular Loan Period for Library Card Holders is 28 days.
Various categories of special materials, such as journals, videos, or reserve items, may be loaned for shorter periods of time such as hours and days. Check with individual libraries for various loan periods.
Library card holders are permitted to have 20 items on loan at one time.

Notices

Courtesy Notices are sent four days before a book is due, and Overdue Notices are sent the second day after a book is due. Available Notices are sent the day after a requested book is received at the designated pick-up library. Recall Notices are sent the day after a book is recalled by another user, and Fine/Fee Notices are sent the day after the fine or replacement charge is incurred. Note that failure to receive a courtesy or overdue notice does not relieve the borrower of responsibility to return or renew borrowed materials by the due date.

Overdue Fines

Loan Type	Fine Rates
Regular	$.75/day*
Hourly	$.04/minute or $2.40/hour
Short Term	$2.00/day
Recalls	$3.00/day

*Late fees are not charged for materials renewed or returned within nine days of the due date. Fines are retroactive the tenth day.

Replacement Billing

A replacement bill is created 27 days after the due date if an item has not been renewed or returned.

Lost Item Replacement Cost	$75.00**
Overdue Fine	$25.00
Recalled Item Fine	$60.00
Short Term Loan Fine	$35.00

** This amount may be more if an item is of greater value.

If the material is returned after a bill is sent, the cost of the item will be credited, IF not already replaced or reordered. The fines may NOT be refunded.
Replacement bills are sent to Cornell Collections within 28 days if they are not promptly paid.
Bill and fine questions and appeals should be directed to the circulation staff of the lending library.

Borrowing Privileges

Cornell University identification cards serve as library cards. The privilege of borrowing is a personal one and may not be transferred.
A patron’s ID will be blocked and borrowing privileges will be suspended if the borrower:
1. owes library bills of $150 or more.
2. fails to respond to one recall request.
3. has more than 15 overdue items.

Recalls and Holds

Library card holders do not have recall priveleges. They may place holds on items currently charged to other patrons. Placing a hold will not change the due date, but will prevent the item from being renewed.
Items charged to Library card holders may be recalled at any time for use on reserves or after two weeks if someone else has asked to use it.

General Circulation Policies

All library material must be properly charged out and its prompt and safe return is the personal responsibility of the individual to whom it is loaned.
Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy to remind borrowers that an item should be renewed or returned, but failure to receive a notice does not absolve the borrower of the responsibility to renew or return the item to the library in a timely manner.
The borrower is responsible for notifying the library immediately if library material is damaged, missing, or lost.
Library cards do not grant access to specially licensed databases.
Library cards do not include interlibrary loan privileges.