Circulation: Policies and Services

Borrowing Privileges

 

Library Cards

For FAU students, faculty, and staff, your Owl Card is your library card and enables you to check materials out of the library and access online electronic databases and journals off-campus. The card should be activated at the Circulation Desk. This is a one-time procedure that takes less than a minute and is done in person for the protection of the cardholder. For more information on the Owl Card and its use on campus, click here. Distance Learning students may obtain their Owl Card by clicking here, and may activate their library card by phoning us at 561-297-3762 or emailing us at lycirc@fau.edu, although if possible the card should be activated in person. The Owl Card also may be used for printing and photocopying in the library (see below).

Eligibility for a Library Card

* FAU students, faculty, affiliated clinical faculty, and staff, including retired faculty and staff (obtain your Owl Card from the Owl Card Center).  Retired faculty and staff, show special card from Human Resources.

* FAU adjunct instructors (please obtain your Owl Card and show your letter of employment each semester)

* FAU alumni (please show driver's license and current Alumni Association membership card)

* FAU Intensive English students (please show driver's license and receipt of payment for courses each semester)

* FAU Research Park partners (please obtain Owl Card or present driver's license and letter of employment)

* FAU University Benefactors and Members of the President's Club (please see Dean of Libraries)

* Visiting Researchers (please see Dean of Libraries)

* Currently enrolled PBSC students as well as students from other Florida state universities, state colleges and community colleges (please show university/college

   ID, driver's license, and course schedule or receipt of payment for courses each semester)

* Faculty and staff from PBSC and other Florida state universities, state colleges and community colleges (please show university/college ID and letter of

  employment)

* Friends of the Library (please show copy of application form and receipt for payment)

* Special corporate borrowers (please show copy of application form and receipt for payment)

* Students, faculty, and staff of participating SEFLIN academic libraries (please present a valid SEFLIN card from your home library; those from Florida state universities, state colleges and community colleges, please see above)

Loan Restrictions, Checkout Periods, and Renewals

You must have your library card in hand to check out library materials.  If you do not have your library card, you may place materials on our 24 hour hold shelf.  Materials will be reshelved after 24 hours if they are not checked out.

Students, faculty, and staff may checkout up to 500 items at one time. All special borrowers are limited to a maximum of 25 items checked out at any one time. Books may be kept out for the following periods of time:

* FAU Faculty: 6 months (due either June 30 or December 30)

* PBSC faculty and staff: current semester 

* Graduate students, staff, adjunct instructors, and visiting researchers: current semester

* PBSC students and other undergraduates and special borrowers (e.g. Friends, alumni, Research Park partners, and SEFLIN card holders): 3 weeks

 

Books may be returned at the library book drops or circulation desks of any campus library.  On the Boca Raton campus, books may also be returned at the two remote book drops located at either end of the Breezeway.  Any book can be renewed as long as there is no hold or recall on the item and the item is not overdue. You may renew your books in person at the Circulation Desk, or you may view and renew your books online by clicking here.  Books cannot be renewed online on their due date or if they are overdue.

Fines and Charges

Fines on books and media accrue at $.25 per day and accumulate to a maximum of $5.00 per item. Fines on Reserve materials, study room keys and headphones accrue at $.25 per hour and accumulate to a maximum of $5.00 per item. After 30 days, items are declared lost and the borrower will be charged a replacement fee of $66.81 per item, a $6.00 handling fee per item and the $5.00 late fine. The replacement fee and the handling fee will be credited for items that were declared lost and are subsequently returned.  All borrowers are subject to fines. Bills are sent from the Cashier's Office and must be paid to that office.  You can pay your fines and charges using the payment methods found here. Users will also be charged for damaged materials. Charges for damaged items vary by item and extent of damage.  Damaged items remain the state's property to be disposed of in the same way as other items withdrawn from the collection.  Daily fees while accruing do not actually show up on your account until you return the item(s).

Holds and Recalls

If a book is checked out, FAU students, faculty, and staff may request the item. All library materials, except AV (audio-visual) items and items on Reserve, are subject to holds or recalls at any time.  A hold will keep the book at the Circulation Desk for pick up for 8 days. Notice is sent to you of the item's availability. A recall can be placed on the book checked out for more than 3 weeks. The patron using the book must return it to the library within 8 days. You will then be notified that the item is available for use. To place a hold or recall on a book, click here. You may also request a hold or recall directly from the library catalog. Please remember that this service is only available to FAU students, faculty, and staff.

Books/Periodicals Missing from the Shelf

You may fill out a Missing Book/Periodical form at the Circulation Desk. If the item is found, you will be notified; if not, the book or article may be obtained through Interlibrary Loan. You may fill out the form to search for missing books and periodicals online by clicking here. Please allow at least 3 days for searches.

Photocopying and Printing

To make photocopies and to print out from the PCs and microform readers, you need to use their Owl Card with money on it (see above) or purchase a  Visitor Card from one of the Cash to Card Machines located on campus. Visitor Cards purchased in the library cost $1.00 and have no value on them. Money can be added to both the Owl Card and the Visitor Card at these same Cash to Card Machines. For more information on Visitor Cards, click here. For more information on Cash to Card Machines, click here.  Current charges for copies and printing are as follows: black and white PC printing and photocopies $.10, color PC printing and photocopies $.30.

Providing Change

The library does not make change.

Security

The library uses the 3M Book Security System. It is a solid-state electronic detection system, monitoring the unauthorized removal of pre-conditioned materials. The system is completely safe and harmless. It will not erase or affect magnetic tapes, films, or cassettes. The 3M system detects security devices through bags, briefcases, and clothing. Personal books and other objects may trigger the system if there is a security system device in the item itself. If the alarm on the security system goes off when exiting, you are asked to step back to the Circulation Desk. The library also has a video recording/monitoring system, with cameras set up in various locations throughout the library. This system serves the purpose of assisting in loss prevention.

Student Study Rooms

These rooms are available to groups of people who need to participate in projects or discussions. No food or drink may be consumed in these rooms. The rooms are charged out for 2 hours, renewable once.  Two group members must be present at the Circulation Desk to check out a key.  A pager may be offered if there are no rooms available. Two group members must be present at the Circulation Desk to check out a pager.  Study room keys are not allowed outside the library and staff will not hold keys.  The library has three collaborative study rooms.  Three group members must be present at the Circulation Desk to check out a key to a collaborative study room.

Reserve: Policies and Services

Reserve Information for Faculty
Reserve Information for Students