Circulation is the Library’s word 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 that they need for teaching, learning and research.

Circulation Loan Periods

• Books: The regular loan period for faculty is indefinite (no due date). The regular loan period for staff is 180 days. In all cases, borrowed books must be returned if they are requested (recalled) by another user or if the borrower leaves the university.
• Other materials: Special materials such as journals, videos or reserve items may be loaned for short periods of time such as hours or days. Check with individual libraries for specific loan periods.

Notices

Courtesy notices are sent four days before a book is due, and overdue notices are sent the 2nd day and 14th day after the 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. Fine/fee notices are sent the day after the fine is incurred.

Library notices are sent by e-mail to the borrower's NetID address (NetID@cornell.edu). If you prefer another type of e-mail address, such as you@department.cornell.edu, please configure your mail preferences so that NetID mail is routed to the preferred address. Please go to http://whoiam.cornell.edu and follow the instructions for routing mail. 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

*Late fees are not charged for materials, provided they are renewed or returned before a bill is written.

Replacement Billing

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

** 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 it has not already been replaced or reordered. Fines may not be refunded.
• Unpaid bills or fines are sent to Cornell Collections 60 days after the bill date.
• Questions and appeals about bills and fines 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 $300 or more.
  2. fails to respond to one recall request.
  3. has more than 100 overdue items.

Proxy Borrowers

• Faculty and staff members may authorize other individuals to borrow library materials in their name. The faculty/staff member remains responsible for all items checked out by his or her proxy. To designate a proxy, contact the Library Public Services office, 116 Olin Library, 255-5069, email libpublicservices@cornell.edu or the Mann Library Access Services office, 255-7965, email mann_circ@cornell.edu.

Recalls

• Library materials may be recalled at any time during their loan.  Borrowers will be given a new due date that is 10 days from the date of recall (or two weeks from the date of recall if the book has just been checked out).

General Circulation Policies

• All library material must be properly charged out. 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 a Cornell library in a timely manner.
• The borrower is responsible for notifying the Library immediately if library material is damaged, missing or lost.
• Address changes: Faculty and staff should make campus address changes through their departmental Human Resources representative. Home address updates can be entered through Bear Access/Employee Essentials. E-mail forwarding can be configured through http://whoiam.cornell.edu. Please be aware that address updates may take a week or longer to transfer to the library database.