UNL Staff
Circulation Policies

INTRODUCTION

The services and policies explained in this document apply to UNL staff. Anyone may browse the collections; however, a university ID card (NCARD), is needed to check out materials.

USER CARDS

Records are automatically loaded into the IRIS database. Your NCARD is automatically your library user card. UNL policy states that all UNL staff must have a current university picture ID card. ITEMS WILL NOT BE CHARGED OUT WITHOUT PRESENTATION OF A CURRENT ID CARD. NCARD cards can be obtained at the ID card office in the City Campus Union.

IRIS records are updated periodically. When an e-mail address is given, it should be checked regularly. Your ISP may not accept e-mail from the Libraries.

BORROWER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

All library materials must be checked out before leaving the library. The borrower is financially responsible for each item charged on the borrower's card until the items are returned. If your card is lost or stolen, you must report it immediately to any UNL circulation desk. Any materials charged to a lost card that has not been reported will be the responsibility of the individual to whom the card is issued. Cards may only be used by the person to whom they are issued. Materials must be returned in the same condition as when they were checked out. There will be no transfer of overdues or fines from one borrower to another.

Reserve materials must be returned to the circulation desk from which they were charged. Most other items may be returned to any UNL library or, when the library is closed, to the outside book return bins where provided. Bins at Love, C.Y. Thompson and Architecture Libraries are open 24 hours. ITEMS RETURNED TO THE OUTSIDE BINS AFTER LIBRARY HOURS ARE CONSIDERED THE NEXT WORKING DAY'S BUSINESS. A receipt may be requested at a circulation desk for all items returned to that desk. Please request the receipt prior to our checking materials in.

Patrons must exit the building at closing.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The UNL Libraries uphold the principles set forth in the American Library Association Statement on Professional Ethics that states that circulation records will remain confidential. Contact the Love Library or C.Y. Thompson circulation desks for further information on this policy.

The University Libraries and University Counsel will comply with agents conducting an investigation resulting from invocation of the USA Patriot's Act.

GENERAL CIRCULATION POLICIES

Monographs circulate for 56 days to staff with five 56-day renewals. All eight, four and most one week loans are renewable unless a recall has been placed on them. Most bound periodicals circulate 3 days and may be renewed once. Reserve materials cannot be renewed. Circulation policies on specific items or by patron types vary. All libraries do not operate on the same calendar. This may affect loan periods. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING WHEN YOUR BOOKS ARE DUE AND RETURNING OR RENEWING THEM ON TIME. Please consult the staff at a Circulation Desk if you have questions.

HOW TO RENEW A LOAN

You may extend the use of most materials by choosing one of the following options. Please remember to have your NCARD available.

OVERDUE MATERIALS ARE SUBJECT TO FINES. IF FINES APPLY, THEY WILL BE CHARGED TO YOUR RECORD.

1. Request renewal of your material(s) at the circulation desk of any UNL library. You are not required to have the material(s) with you for this service. Please stay until the transaction is completed, the new due dates are verified, and any fines are paid.
2. Telephone the circulation desk of any UNL library. Ask to renew the item(s) on your record. Patrons are encouraged to stay on the phone until the transaction is completed and the due dates are verified.
3. Bring the overdue notice to any UNL circulation desk and request renewal of the item(s) listed. Please stay until the new due dates are verified, and any fines are paid.
4. Mail the overdue notice(s) to the circulation desk of any UNL library. On the overdue notice, write "RENEW." Users should check back to see what, if any, fines were levied and the new due date.
5. Renew using the self-renewal option on IRIS. Renewals may not be allowed if there are blocks on your record, i.e., too many renewals, too much money owed, patron record expired, etc. Please direct questions about this service to the circulation desk at Love or any of the branches.
6. If you receive an electronic overdue notice via e-mail return the message with a request to renew, or use any of the above options.

Once items have been renewed the maximum number of times, or the status has gone to MISSING, the Libraries request that the items be returned to ascertain their physical condition and be left in the library for 24 hours prior to being checked out again.

VIEW YOUR OWN RECORD

You will be able to see which items you currently have checked out and any fines you may have accrued, as well as other information, by accessing the libraries home page at iris.unl.edu, and choosing MY LIBRARY RECORD. To activate this feature, please contact any circulation desk to verify your user number.

INTRA-CAMPUS DELIVERY

Library users on one UNL campus may request materials from libraries on the other UNL campus, Storage, or Schmid Law Library. If the requested materials are available for circulation and show a status of "AVAILABLE", "ASK AT CIRC", or "REQUEST ITEM", the materials can generally be delivered in two to seven working days.

RECALL

UNL Libraries usually have only one copy of each title to support the information needs of the entire UNL community. Therefore, UNL Libraries reserve the right to RECALL any items requested by someone else after 14 days. Materials needed for Reserves by the Libraries may be recalled at any time. RECALLED ITEMS MAY NOT BE RENEWED.

Electronic access to place a recall is available through the web version of IRIS at iris.unl.edu. Click on "Services".

Please note: 1) The form must be completely filled out in order for it to be processed. 2) Recalls cannot be placed on reserve materials or periodicals. 3) Books can only be recalled if a due date appears in the status box on the UNL Catalog of Libraries Holdings.

TO RESPOND TO A RECALL

When you receive a recall notice for an item needed by another patron, return the item by the date indicated on the notice. Failure to respond will result in an overdue fine being charged and a suspension of borrowing privileges until the item is returned. UNRETURNED RECALLS ACCRUE AN OVERDUE FINE OF $1.00 PER DAY TO A MAXIMUM OF $10.00.

If you need the item back after the second borrower has finished with it, you may recall the item.

SEARCHES

If an item is neither on the shelf nor checked out, you may wish to have the library staff search for it. To request a search, consult the staff at the circulation desk of any UNL library. You will be notified when the item is found.

Bound periodicals cannot be searched.

OVERDUE FINES* AND OTHER CHARGES

Fine inquiries can be made at any circulation desk, by phone, or by accessing MY LIBRARY RECORD on IRIS. Patrons are responsible for all fines. Fine notices are mailed on a regular basis. Please let the staff at any circulation desk know if your address (or email address) has changed. OVERDUE NOTICES ARE A COURTESY. PATRONS ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM FINES SHOULD NOTICES NOT BE RECEIVED EITHER BY REGULAR MAIL OR ELECTRONICALLY. REGISTRATION HOLDS MUST BE PAID IN FULL.

*UNL staff are exempt from daily overdue fines.

Overdue Fines
One day loan: $1.50 per item per day overdue.
NO GRACE PERIOD

Three day loan: $1.00 per item per day overdue.
NO GRACE PERIOD

One week loan: $.10 per item per day
THREE DAY GRACE PERIOD

Four, six, and eight week loans: $.25 per item per day
THREE DAY GRACE PERIOD

Maximum fine: $10.00.

After a period of 42 days overdue, patrons will be billed for the replacement cost of the item. If the item is returned after being billed, the fine will be adjusted to $10.00.

Reserve Fines
2 hour loan: $1.00 each hour the library is open
NO GRACE PERIOD

1 day loan: $3.00 each day the library is open
NO GRACE PERIOD

3 and 7 day loan: $1.00 each day the library is open
NO GRACE PERIOD

Love study rooms (2 hour loan): $25.00
NO GRACE PERIOD

Maximum fine: $25.00.

Fees Charged for Lost or Damaged Items
Books $60.00
Bound Periodicals $150.00
Theses $60.00
Unbound Current Periodicals $50.00

Government Documents
• Up to and including 8 pages (includes maps) $10.00
• 9 - 20 pages $20.00
• 21 + pages $40.00
• Compact discs $50.00

Processing and Billing Fees
• Books/Documents $15.00
• Bound Periodicals $15.00
• Theses $15.00
• Unbound Current Periodicals $11.00

Microformat Portable Reader
• Daily fine $5.00
THREE DAY GRACE PERIOD

Maximum fine $25.00

Binding Fee (When applicable) $10.00

Item(s) with 10 or fewer missing pages will be assessed a $6.00 processing fee and $.40 per page replacement charge; item(s) with more than 10 missing pages must be replaced with a new copy. Information regarding replacement cost on other formats such as records, compact discs, and videotapes may be obtained at the Circulation Desk at Love Library.

The UNL Libraries reserve the right to revise the charges on out of print or more expensive items. The Libraries provide the option of buying a replacement of the same edition, or an edition acceptable to the appropriate subject specialist librarian. Processing and/or binding fees may be applicable. Please consult the staff at any UNL circulation desk for more information.

Patron records are blocked when fines exceed $5.00. Fines and other charges may be paid at Love and C.Y. Thompson Libraries any time the libraries are open, or at any other UNL Library during business hours, 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Checks should be written to UNL Libraries and sent to the following address:

Circulation Services
104 Love Library
13th and R St.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln NE 68588-4102

INSUFFICIENT FUND CHECKS will be assessed a $30.00 fee per check.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS/HOURS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Phone numbers and building hours are available at iris.unl.edu

COPICARDS

Copicards are available for use in all copy machines and reader-printers throughout the University Libraries. Cards can be purchased at the circulation desk of any library, or at a vending station in Love or C.Y. Thompson. Cards are available in denominations of $5.00, $10.00, or $25.00. These cards can be purchased by cash, check, NCard or interdepartmental cost center (UNL only). Copicards purchased at the UNL Libraries may have value added at the vending stations. NO REFUNDS ARE GIVEN FOR UNUSED COPIES. University Libraries copicards will not function in Schmid Law Library copy machines. Non-library or Law Library copicards do not operate in the University Libraries' copy machines.

SERVICES FOR DISABLED PATRONS

The University Libraries provide a number of services for disabled patrons. For a description of these services please consult the library guide entitled "Library Services for Disabled Patrons" on the libraries' home page. Electronic book retrieval is available online on IRIS. Click on "Services" at iris.unl.edu

C.Y. Thompson Library's handicapped accessible entrance is on the west side of the building. Handicapped parking is on the east side of the building. Those with limited mobility wanting access to the building through the east service entrance may use the wall phone located inside the east service entrance to request assistance.

CELLULAR PHONES/PAGERS

Please use cellular phones, pagers and other electronic devices responsibly, so as not to disturb other library users. If you must use them, set phones and pagers on non- or low-audible signals and keep conversations brief and quiet. If possible, move to a less populated area of the library. The use of cellular phones is not permitted in the Love South 4th floor study carrels, or the reading room on the east side of Love South 2nd floor.

THEFT AND DAMAGE

Library materials are state property. Theft is a criminal offense. The University Libraries will prosecute. The Libraries will assess a fee for damage such as torn out pages, highlighting, water or pet damage, or placing post-it notes as markers.

FOOD AND DRINK

Beverages are allowed, if they are in rigid containers with firmly attached lids. This excludes paper or styrofoam containers.

Food is discouraged in all areas of the university library system except in the vending area in Love and C.Y. Thompson Library. If you are asked by a staff member to discard food or drink, please do so promptly.

Branch policies may vary.

SMOKING

If you are asked by a staff member to discard any form of tobacco, please do so promptly.

LOST AND FOUND

In keeping with the policy adopted by the UNL Campus Police, staff will accept and attempt to find the owner for items for which a value can be estimated. For the full text of this policy, please look under "Lost and Found Policy" at iris.unl.edu

STUDY ROOMS

Love Library has six study rooms. Keys may be checked out at the Circulation Desk. The occupancy period is two hours. A charge of $25.00 will be assessed if the key is returned late. There is no grace period. Other charges may apply if a key is lost or a room is damaged.

Groups larger than 10, not using a study room, are prohibited.

RECIPROCAL RETURN SERVICE

All five University of Nebraska campuses offer a service to patrons who check materials out from one campus and wish to return them from another. The item can be dropped off, or if a receipt is preferred, one can be requested from a Circulation staff member when the item is turned in at any circulation desk.