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Borrowing Information for UW Alumni

Access

Most libraries and sections have open stacks with selected materials kept in closed areas, not accessible for browsing. All visitors are free to use materials in the library.

Auxiliary and storage stacks; Special Collections, and the Media Center are closed stacks and unavailable for public browsing. Most reserve materials are also in closed stacks. Access to these materials is acquired through the appropriate public service desk. For those without UW borrower cards, service desks accept requests for daily retrieval of storage materials. For those with UW borrower cards, requests may be placed online through the UW Libraries Catalog.

Some materials are restricted to Library Use Only. Typical items include most reference materials, Special Collections and archival theses.

Library Cards

All current members of the UW Alumni Association are eligible for free borrowing privileges. Borrowing privileges allow for checking out circulating material from the Libraries' collections. Borrowing privileges do not include access to UW-restricted services such as interlibrary loan and remote access to databases. Obtain your library card at the Library Cashier located on the ground floor of the Suzzallo Library (206) 543-1174 or at the Suzzallo Circulation, Health Sciences, Bothell or Tacoma circulation desks. You must bring your current alumni card. Lost or stolen cards should be reported immediately to a library circulation desk or the Library Cashier, to prevent fraudulent use. You can obtain replacement cards from the Library Cashier (206) 543-1174. There is a $2 replacement charge.

Your Library Account

You can check your library record, renew books and modify your personal information on the web.
You can receive library notices sent by e-mail telling you when your books are ready for pickup, have been recalled or are overdue. You will be sent a due date reminder notices two days prior to the due date. Make sure that an email address shows in your library account.

Loan Periods

Loan periods vary among libraries and may be determined by the status of the borrower, type of material and individual collection policy. The loan period is generally 4 weeks.

Renewal of Materials

UW Libraries materials checked out for more than 14 days are allowed an unlimited number of renewals. Items that circulate for 14 days or less may be renewed three times.

The following exceptions apply:

Items which have had holds placed on them cannot be renewed.
Reserve items cannot be renewed.
Items billed for replacement cannot be renewed.

You may view your library account at any time to see a list of your checked out items. Note: This does not include items such as unbound periodicals that were checked out with a handwritten check-out slip. If your list shows an item that you believe you have returned, do not request renewal, but rather notify the circulation staff of the owning unit.

Items with barcodes can be renewed remotely via the Web or by phone.

Items without barcodes, such as unbound periodicals, cannot be renewed using online forms. Renewals can be made by phone or by sending an e-mail message to the owning library unit. Library contact information

Retrieval, Holds and Searches

Most UW Libraries material with the status of "Available" can be pulled from the shelf and sent to another library for pickup. This may take three to five days. If you are in a hurry you should go directly to the owning library.
You can also place holds on UW Libraries material. Longer due dates will be reduced and material will be available in seven to 14 days, depending on when the material was checked out. More information.
If you can't find material on the shelf that shows in the catalog as "available" request the item from the catalog and a search will be initiated. You will be notified when the item is found.

Returning Materials

Non-reserve library materials (except for fragile items) may be returned to any UW library or bookdrop. A drive-up bookdrop is available south of the dental wing of the Health Sciences Center. Reserve items must be returned to the service desk where they were checked out.

Change of Address

Report address changes to the Library Cashier, (206) 543-1174.

Fines

Fines and billing charges are assessed to encourage prompt return of materials. Fines apply all days and all hours, even if the library is closed.

Standard Loans (3 days or more):

There is a four-day grace period. On the fifth day the charge will be $2.50.

1-20 days overdue: $.50/day
21 days overdue: $20 billing charge, non-refundable, plus a replacement cost ($75 or more)

Reserve Materials and loans of less than 3 days:

1st hour overdue: $2.50
2nd hour to 56th hour overdue: $.50/hour
57+ hours overdue: $30 billing charge, non-refundable, plus a replacement cost ($75 or more)

Please note: Reserve materials must be returned to the Reserve Desk where checked out.

Replacement Charges

Replacement charges are levied when material becomes substantially overdue. The cost may be an average for materials in a subject area or the current actual cost of the item. Borrowers who have lost material can sometimes replace the item themselves - contact the library unit that owns the item for more information.

Appeal of Library Charges

If you think the library has made an error or if you have a special situation that made it difficult for you to return or renew materials on time, you may file an appeal. Charges may be upheld, reduced or cancelled. Appeals must be filed within six months of billing.

Appeals based on not knowing the library rules or the amount of fines, claiming your need was greater than another's, being too busy, being out of town, uncertainty about the due date, failing to receive an overdue notice, or failing to read your e-mail are generally not regarded as valid reasons for cancelling or reducing library charges.

To obtain an appeal form,

Contact the library branch or unit that billed you.
Ask to speak to the person who handles appeals.
Explain why you want to appeal.
Complete the appeal form and take or send it to the Library Cashier in Suzzallo Library. See address above.

You will receive an Appeals Confirmation Receipt within two weeks of the date that your appeal is received by the Library Cashier. If you do not receive the Appeals Confirmation Receipt, call the Library Cashier at (206) 543-1174.

The Library Fines Appeals Committee consists of a faculty member and two students. The committee will read your appeal statement and a statement of evidence from the Libraries. It looks at your overall record with the Libraries, and it makes its decision independently of the Libraries.

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Last modified: Thursday May 08 2008 (jlward)