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Library Policies

Circulation Policies

Borrowing

To borrow materials from the UIW Libraries, library users must have a valid UIW ID for the current semester and a record free of library fines. Generally, borrowing privileges are terminated when a student withdraws from school. Materials cannot be checked out to students and community borrowers who are not the person presenting the ID. To determine if one is an affiliated patron, please read our Visitor’s Policy.

Items are due on the date (date/time for Reserves) indicated on the emailed receipt or in one's personal circulation record found called MyAccount.
Items must be returned on or before the due date to prevent fine accrual and loss of borrowing privileges – to include reciprocal borrowing privileges via Interlibrary Loan.
Faculty may designate proxy borrowers (student assistants) to check out materials from the library on their behalf by filling out a proxy borrowing form. For more information go to Faculty Services page and find Proxy Borrowing.

Visitor Borrowing - TexShare Card Open

Students enrolled at institutions of higher learning in Texas can obtain a TexShare borrowing card at their home library. TexShare card holders are entitled to limited borrowing privileges at other libraries
UIW is a member of this statewide consortium of academic, public and special libraries. To learn more, go to TexShare.

Reserve Collection Circulation Open

Faculty often put personal or library materials on reserve. Reserves are available at the Circulation Desk. Loan periods may vary depending upon the constraints set by the faculty member.

Media Collection Circulation Open

Media (DVDs, CDs, etc.) are located on the second-floor in the quiet study and bound journals area. These items can be checked out at the Circulation Desk. For more information, please see Media Circulation Policy

Equipment Open

The library checks out a variety of equipment to currently enrolled students, faculty and staff. Click here to review the Equipment Checkout Policies

Loan Periods

Loan Periods by Borrower and Item Type Open

Loan periods by borrower and item type
Borrower Type	Maximum Items	Item Types	Loan Period
Undergraduate Students ¹	50 ⁵	Books	3 weeks
Graduate Students ¹	100 ⁵	Books	4 weeks
Faculty, Faculty Emeriti, UIW Administrators	100 ²	Books	End of semester
UIW Staff	8 ²	Books	3 weeks
SACHS Students and Faculty	8 ²	Books	3 weeks
UIW Retirement Center Residents	8 ²	Books	3 weeks
UIW Alumni ³	4 ²	Books	3 weeks
TexShare ⁴	4 ²	Books	3 weeks
ELS Students	4 ²	Books	3 weeks
ELS Faculty	8 ²	Books	3 weeks
UIW Students, UIW Retirement, Staff, SACHS Faculty, ELS Students and Faculty	3 ⁵	AV	7 days
UIW Faculty, Faculty Emeriti	Unlimited ⁵	AV	7 days
Undergraduate, Graduate Students	1 ²	Tablet	7 days
UIW Faculty and Staff	1 ²	Laptop	7 days

Includes Main Campus, SPS, and UIW Online students
Non-renewable
UIW Alumni ID and driver’s license required
With valid TexShare card and school ID or driver’s license
One renewal

Renewing

Renewing Books Open

Books that are not overdue, have not been recalled, or have not been placed on hold for other borrowers can be renewed by undergraduate and graduate students.
Books may be renewed online using MyAccount, by phone (210-829-3836) or when presented at the Circulation Desk.

Returning Items Open

The borrower bears the full responsibility for returning materials on time. Failure to do so will result in fines and/or loss of borrowing privileges – to include loss of Interlibrary Loan usage.

Return materials to the Circulation Desk during library hours.
When the library is closed, please return books only to the book drop located near the entrance to the library.
Do not drop off audiovisual or interlibrary loan items in the book drop.

Fines and Fees

Lost/Damaged Materials Open

An overdue item is declared lost when it has accrued the maximum overdue fine. The borrower is assessed the replacement cost and the maximum overdue fine.
If the materials that have been declared lost are returned to the library before a new copy is purchased by the library, only the replacement cost is refunded.
The fine is not refundable.
When an item is damaged beyond repair,the borrower is assessed the replacement cost of the item.

Overdue Fines Open

The library is not responsible for notifying borrowers of overdue materials. As a courtesy, the library sends one overdue notice via UIW email, but is not responsible for late, lost or non-deliverable notices. The borrower is responsible for checking their UIW email account and making sure that the library has their current local mailing address.
It may be useful to occasionally check the due date of items that have been borrowed. To do this online, log into MyAccount on the library’s website.

Fees Open

Fees by item and time
Item Type	Fine per Day/Hour	Maximum Fine
3 or 4-week materials	$.50 per day	$10 per item ¹
1-week and 2-day materials	$1 per day	$20 per item ¹
2, 3 and 4-hour materials ⁴	$.50 per hour	$20 per item
Audiovisuals	$1 per day	$20 per item

When the item reaches the maximum fine amount, the library user will be charged the maximum overdue fine and the cost of the item.
Items with holds placed on them will accrue fines after the original due date.
Recalled items will accrue an inflated overdue fine after the due date.
Includes group study and graduate study room keys.