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Borrowing & Circulation

PennWest University Libraries have a variety of resources available for loan. Be aware of the loan periods for each resource and the fines for every day late in returning items to the library. The maximum number of items which can be checked out at one time is 20.

Borrowing

Books

Books in the general collection are available for loan for 30 days. The fine for overdue books is 50 cents per day.

Books in the juvenile/young adult collection are available for loan for 30 days. The fine for these overdue books is 50 cents per day.

Media

CDs and DVDs are available for loan for 30 days. The fine for these items is 50 cents per day.

IPADS

iPads may be used outside the library and are available for loan for fourteen (14) days. The fine for overdue iPads is $10 per day (Max fine $50.00).

Laptop Computers and Accessories

In Carlson Library, you may borrow a laptop and its accessories for use inside the library outside of the library for fourteen (14) days.  The fine on overnight overdue equipment is $20 a day (Max fine $100.00).

At Suhr Library, on Venango Campus, you may also borrow a laptop and its accessories for use inside the library or outside of the library for fourteen (14) days. The fine on overdue equipment is $20 per day (Max fine $100.00).

Periodicals

Our most recent periodicals (those not yet ten years old) are available to borrow for one (1) day. The fine on these overdue periodicals is $1 per day.

Periodicals that are 10 years old - or older - are available to borrow for seven (7) days. The fine on these overdue periodicals also is $1 per day.

Reserve Materials

Items placed on reserve by professors for class use have various loan periods. The fine on reserve materials is $1 per day.

Renewals

If there is no "hold" on the material, it may be renewed for a period up to 60 days from the original loan date (excluding laptops and iPads). Materials may be renewed in-person, online, or by telephone. Overdue materials can be renewed, but there may be an accumulated fine that will still need to be paid.

On-Line Renewals

Did you know that you can use our Website to renew the loan period for items checked out from University Libraries?

    • Only PennWest students and employees can renew materials online. To do so, sign into PennWest University Libraries PRIMO and select "Sign In" on the right side of the Banner line. This will display all the materials that you currently have checked out. If materials are renewable, a blue RENEW ALL option will appear in the top right corner of the LOANS box. If you only want to renew selected items, you will need to select LOANS which will give you a detailed listing of each item and the ability to renew them individually. Note that if you do not have a blue RENEW icon next to the item, you can not renew it.

FINES AND FEES

Maximum Fines

The maximum amount of fines charged against any overdue item (with the exception of iPads, laptop computers, reserves, and periodicals) is $24.50.

Lost Item Replacement Fees

An item is declared "lost" when it is forty-nine (49) days overdue. The library system automatically charges the patron twenty dollars ($20) as a Lost Item Processing Fee to help over the costs associated with ordering and processing (shipping, cataloging, barcoding, labeling, etc.).  This charge is in addition to the replacement cost of the material.

The Libraries also charges the patron $75.00 for the replacement cost of a lost item. If the item is no longer available, the charge for an approved title (similar in nature) is used.

Note: If a patron prefers to replace the lost material in lieu of paying the Lost Item Replacement Fees, he or she may do so with approval of the collection development librarian or the Director of Libraries. However, the Lost Item Processing Fee of $20 must still be paid.

Items Returned After Lost Item Fee Is Paid

On occasion, patrons return materials that have been declared "lost" and have been billed and paid for replacement. The Library has the option of whether or not to accept the returned item and refund the replacement fee depending upon:

    1. condition of the item, and
    2. if the library has already replaced the item.

Materials must generally be returned within four months of the original charge date in order to receive credit for the Lost Item Replacement Fee. Library staff may credit the patron's account for the Lost Item Replacement Fee and the Lost Item Processing Fee but not accrued fines.

InterLibrary Loan (ILL) Fees and Fines

See the InterLibrary Loan Policy for fines and fees associated with items borrowed from other libraries.

Circulation and Related Policies

Circulation Policy

Community Users & Courtesy Library Use

EZBorrow

ILLiad

InterLibrary Loan (ILL) Policy

InterLibrary Loan (ILL) Community User Policy

Library Materials Theft Policy

 

 

Last Updated 2/3/23