Borrowing and Renewing Items
  • Renew Online

  • Check Out and Assistance. Bring material you wish to borrow, and your ID, to the gateway desk near the library entrance. The gateway staff can also assist by doing "searches" for items that are not on the shelves and recommending other borrowing options for material not owned or available.

  • Restricted Circulation. Circulation rules vary for some formats and locations. Most periodicals, reference material and recordings are non-circulating. Large (oversized) art books may be checked out for two weeks by Brown faculty and grad students, but are non-circulating to others.

  • Normal Loan Periods:
    • Faculty: One year loan - Material checked out or renewed during one calendar year must be returned or renewed at the Library by Sept. 30 of the following year. Renew any time after Jan. 1.

    • Graduate Students: Academic Year and Summer Loan - There are two due dates per year: June 15 and October 15. Renewals may be made in the 45 days before the due date.

    • Undergraduates and Staff: Four-to-eight week loan - Material borrowed or renewed during one month must be brought to the Library for return or renewal before the end of following month.

  • Recalls. All material is subject to recall and holds by other library patrons. When there is a hold or recall, the loan period for the first borrower is shortened. You must return the material before the new due date to avoid overdue fines ($1.00 per day) and suspension of Library privileges.

  • Library Notices. Email courtesy notices are sent five days before an item is due and again after the item is due. When 30 or more days late, replacement bills are issued.

  • Overdue Fines, Bills, & Penalties. Avoid fines - know when your materials are due and responding to recalls promptly. Replacement billing of $150 per item takes place when items are 30 or more days overdue. All borrowers are assessed overdue fines for late return of recalled material ($1.00 per day) and for overdue Course Reserve items (50 cents per hour). In addition, library privileges are suspended for those with overdue recalls, or with substantial outstanding bills. Extreme or repeated problems may be reported to the appropriate Dean or Department Chair.