Proxy Borrowing Privileges
University of Washington Faculty, Academic Staff, Professional Staff, Visiting Scholars and disabled students registered with the Disability Resources for Students Office are allowed to designate chosen individuals to act as proxy representatives when checking out materials from the library.
Please note that as of May 2011 the University Libraries provides two services that may reduce your need for a proxy: direct departmental delivery of circulating non-reserve material and scanning of print-only journal articles. More information about scanning. More information about departmental delivery.
The University of Washington Libraries offer two kinds of proxy service; the Basic Proxy and the Enhanced proxy.
The Basic Proxy is the simplest form of proxy representation. Your personal library account is modified to allow a designated user to take books out in your name, on your account. You will not be able to tell which books were checked out by the proxy, it will appear on your account as though all items were checked out directly to you. This representative will not have remote access to your account, therefore they will not be able to request or renew items for you online. The Basic Proxy option is good for those who wish to have a courier between themselves and the library.
The Enhanced Proxy is the same service with more features. Like the basic proxy, your personal account will be modified to allow a designated user to take books out in your name, on your account. To access extended features, the libraries will issue you a unique UW NetID for each proxy borrower. This will grant them full access to your library account. They will be able to renew material, as well as request in your name. Enhanced proxies may also use their UW NetID to request items through the Summit catalog for the principal borrower. Enhanced proxies can also request ILL materials but first they need to set up an ILL proxy account - to do so contact the ILL Office at 206 543-1899.
Summit Note: Each UW NetID has a separate online Summit account. Both the proxy and the principal borrower may use their UW NetID to request items from the Summit catalog. When a Summit item is requested and processed, the item details will only be viewable in the account of the UW NetID that requested it and only the person who submitted the original request will be able to view it until it arrives. When the Summit item arrives, it will then appear in the principal borrower’s account regardless of who submitted the request. Both the principal borrower and the proxy will be able to check it out.
For all proxy services:
- Principal borrowers are solely responsible for items borrowed by their proxies and any fines, fees, or replacement charges accrued.
- You are allowed a maximum of two active proxies at a time.
- If you wish to designate a new proxy and you already have two, you must choose one to cancel.
- The principal borrower accepts responsibility for monitoring all proxy activity.
- Adding the proxy borrower’s e-mail to your account is optional. Please note that any e-mail address listed in your record will receive notices for all items in the account.
Those who wish to designate a proxy should complete the proxy application linked to below. A proxy card will be issued when either the principal borrower or the designated proxy presents this signed form and an ID card at Library Account Services.
Individuals that have proxy borrower status are acting solely for the principal borrower. No additional services are provided for the proxy borrower's personal use.
Library Account Services is open Monday through Friday. The office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is closed on holidays. If you have questions please call (206) 543-1174 or e-mail us at libaccts@u.washington.edu.
