These policies pertain to operations in the Architecture and Fine Arts Library, Education Library, Marston Science Library, Music Library, Neuharth Journalism Library, Smathers Library, Law Library and Library West and Storage collections.

PLEASE NOTE: Interlibrary Loan services, remote access to UF proprietary databases, and use of certain materials are restricted to current UF students, faculty, and staff.

Requests for circulation privileges for Retired Faculty and Staff, President's Council Members and Oak Hammock Residents should be submitted to Circulation Services, Library West. Additionally, this form will need to be submitted at time of application.

President's Council Members can be verified by calling the UF Foundation at: 352 392-7762.

We require that spouses/partners of UF Faculty, Staff and Students also submit an verification form when requesting library privileges. Please click on the link below and return completed application to Circulation Services for processing.

Borrower Category	Loan Period	# of Items	ILL	Remote Access
Spouse/Partner of UF Faculty, Staff, or Student	3 weeks	10	No	No
Retired UF Faculty and Staff (not Emeritus professors)	8 weeks	50	No	No
President's Council Members and Oak Hammock Residents	3 weeks	10	No	No

How To Get A Library Card

• Make on online request (if applicable) or submit an application for borrowing privileges at Library West or the Marston Science Library Circulation Desk.
• The Gator 1 identification card or a library assigned card is used for borrowing.
• An activated card allows you to do the following functions.
  • charge out materials.
  • log onto library computer workstations.

Renewing Library Privileges

• Present the current identification card to the Library West or Marston Science Library Circulation Desk and complete a new application form.
• There must be no outstanding financial obligations or evidence of borrowing abuse.
• If the supervisor is unable to verify the applicant's current status and process the request on demand, allow three business days for renewal.

Borrowing Library Materials

• Most library materials circulate for the borrower-specific period cited in the above chart.
• Some items (e.g., special loan materials within the active collection, reserve items, video recordings) do not circulate or circulate for shorter periods.
• Borrowers are responsible for returning materials on or before the due date stamped in each item.
• The Libraries send an email courtesy notice approximately 7 days before the due date and an email overdue notice approximately 7 days after the due date.
• Failure to receive these notices does not exempt the borrower from fines.

 

Renewals

• Materials may be renewed at any circulation desk or by using the online renewal service, accessible from "your account" in the UF Library Catalog.
  Exceptions:
  • Items requested by, and recalled for, another borrower.
  • Items that do not allow renewals (reserves, periodicals, etc.).
  • Reserves, videos, and items from the Map & Imagery and Mead Libraries.
  Note: An overdue item will prevent use of the online renewal service to renew any charged items.

Returning Library Materials

• Library materials may be returned at any UF library location and bookdrops are available when the libraries are closed.
  Exceptions: interlibrary loans, reserves, videos, and items from the Map & Imagery and Mead Libraries.
• When returning materials by mail, please use the following address.

Requesting An Item Not On the Shelf

• Borrowers may request an item not charged out and not found on the shelf by completing a search request form at the item's owning location circulation desk.
• Borrowers may request "in process" items not yet on the open shelves and without a 'Request' link by completing a form available at the item's owning location circulation desk or from the Online Request link on the library home page.
• Borrowers may also recall an item charged to another borrower or request storage material by clicking the "request" button in the UF Library Catalog record.
• Multiple requests for the same item are handled in the order received.
• Borrowers will be notified when a needed item is available.

Materials Recalled For Other Borrowers

• If an item in circulation is requested by another user, the library sends an email recall notice to the borrower. The recall due date overrides the original due date, and the date stamped on the date due slip.
• Generally, a borrower may keep the recalled item for three weeks from the original date it was borrowed.
• Upon returning it, the borrower may complete a new request for the item.
• Materials needed for course reserve, however, are due immediately.  For these, the library sends a recall notice specifying a new due date. Failure to respond promptly to recall notices is regarded as a very serious infraction of borrowing privileges. The Libraries will suspend borrowing privileges and may take other action.

Lost/Damaged Materials

• Borrowers must report immediately to the library materials lost, damaged or destroyed.
• Borrowing privileges are suspended and are not reinstated until the user has accounted for all non-returned items.
• With permission from the appropriate UF library, the borrower may (in lieu of paying replacement costs) provide the library with a new or good condition copy of the item that has been lost or damaged.

Overdue Consequences

• Failure to return or renew materials on or before the due date will result in blocked library privileges.
• After 40 days, the delinquent borrower will be billed the replacement cost for overdue items in addition to fines accrued.
• Overdue fine rates are posted at http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/ps/Circ/fines.html

Bills For Library Materials

• Library fines and replacement costs are collected by University Financial Services.
• Bills are paid through the UF Accounts Receivable Office, S-113 Criser Hall, and payment options are found at http://www.fa.ufl.edu/ufs/cashiers/paymethods.html.
• If a lost item is located and returned to the library, the borrower will be credited or refunded for the item cost.
• Overdue fines are not refunded.

Borrower Responsibilities

• A card used for borrowing may not be loaned to another person. The card holder is responsible for all costs and consequences of card misuse.
• If a card used for borrowing is lost or stolen, it is the responsibility of the card holder to notify the Smathers Libraries immediately to deactivate the card. Notifying the UF ID Card Services office or any other agency will not result in deactivation in the Libraries system.
• Promptly report address changes to the Libraries to ensure receipt of correspondence.
• The Libraries' preferred correspondence is via the borrower's GatorLink account (other email accounts or surface mail will be used ONLY if the borrower has no GatorLink account).  It is the borrower's responsibility to check mail frequently.

Confidentiality Of Circulation Records

• Library circulation records are confidential information. Library staff will not provide any information concerning who currently has an item except as required by law. After an item has been returned, no record remains of the borrowing transaction.

Call 273-2525 for further circulation services information.

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