Circulation Policies

Library Cards

A valid Ohio University ID or OU Library card is required to check out library materials.

Borrowing

The OUE library extends borrowing privileges to the university community and to the local community. The customary loan period for books for students and community members is 21 days. Faculty, staff and graduate students have different loan periods.

Loan Periods for Books
OUE Undergraduates	21 days
OUE Graduate Students (Masters programs)	30 days
OUE Faculty, Staff	230 days
Community members/OU Alumni	21 days

In addition to books, patrons may also borrow other items from the library for varying lengths of time:

Loan Periods for Other Items
Magazines and journals	3 days
Curriculum Materials	1 week
Audio-Visual Materials	1 week
Pamphlet File Materials	1 week
Children's Books	1 week
Children's Caldecott and Newbery Prize Books	3 days
Reference Books	In library use only
Reserve Materials	In library use only

You will be sent a courtesy notice by e-mail to your OHIO account several days before your book is due.

You may view your library record online from the OU Eastern Library's homepage to see what books you have checked out and when they are due.

You will be notified by email when the book is 2 weeks overdue.

The libraries may recall the borrowed book...

...when needed for another patron, after you have had it for 2 weeks.
...immediately, when needed for the Reserve Room.
Fines for recalled books not returned as requested are $1.00 per day

Renewals

Books may be renewed in person in the library or online.

To renew online, go to the OU Eastern Library homepage. Click on the Renew Books link. Fill in your name and social security number in the appropriate boxes.

After filling in the boxes, click on the Submit button.

You will now see a screen that contains your name and local address, along with links to information on books that you currently have checked out and books that you have on hold (e.g., requests from OhioLINK). You can use these screens to renew books currently checked out.

The length of the renewal will be the same as the original loan period.

Overdue books can not be renewed.

Books borrowed from other libraries, through OhioLINK or Interlibrary Loan, may have different rules.

Fines

Books borrowed from other libraries are subject to the fines charged by the lending library. OhioLINK books are charged a fine of $.50/day (applicable to ALL borrowers). This is in compliance with the OhioLINK agreement and policy.

Lost or damaged OhioLINK materials are billed at $100.00 per item. Final cost is determined by the lending library NOT OUE. There is no appeal for lost or damaged OhioLINK materials.

Non payment of fines or failure to return materials will result in the loss of library privileges for community members and a hold placed on student university and library records.