The purpose of the policies outlined in this document is to ensure timely and equitable access to library materials for all users. Borrowers must know and abide by loan, recall and fine regulations as a condition for using the Cornell libraries.

The individual to whom a book is issued remains fully responsible for the book until it is returned to the library. It is not advisable to lend library books to friends or colleagues; if a book becomes overdue, damaged or lost during usage by a third party, the borrower to whom the library issued the book remains solely responsible. The library will not bill a third party for any charges.

Borrowers leaving the University through graduation or termination of employment are obligated to return all library material before they depart, regardless of the due dates stamped in the books.

 
 Patron Type 

* Length of loan period depends on type of card issued; it is usually 4 weeks. Consult Olin Access Services for details.

Renewals

• Monographs (books), Low-use Serials: Books may be renewed at any time during their loan. Books that have been requested cannot be renewed, but the borrower may ask to be notified when the book becomes available again. The person who requested the book will be given a two-week loan, after which time the next person in the queue will be able to borrow the book.
• Books which have been billed for replacement must be physically returned to the library before a renewal will be given.
• Journals: not renewable. Journals are very similar to Reference material, and are lent for the purpose of photocopying only. Holds cannot be placed on journals, but the library will notify a requestor when a borrowed item is returned.
• Microform/ High-use Serials: Renewable.
• Course Reserves: Renewable upon physical return to the reserve desk (no phone or online renewals). No renewal given if another patron is waiting for the book, or if the book is in high demand. Holds cannot be placed on reserve books.

List of Borrowed Books

All active Cornell patrons may view the list of items they have borrowed via the Patron Info button in the Catalog. The list will include books from all Cornell libraries, but will not include books that were borrowed by filling out a card. Patrons whose IDs have expired will not be able to view their list of charged items -- please ask for help at the Service Desk.

Blocks

Any of the following conditions will prevent a user from charging out library material:

• The user owes $300 in unpaid charges ($150 for Library Card holders)
• The user has one overdue recalled book
• The user has 100 overdue items (20 overdue items for Library Card holders)
• The user's ID is no longer valid (expiration date has been reached)
• The user's ID is not yet valid (beginning date has not been reached)

ID Problems

• Students whose library privileges are blocked due to registration or bursar holds should clear the problem with the appropriate university office.
• Persons without a machine-readable ID (or whose IDs are not yet recognized by the online system) should go to 116 Olin Library weekdays until 4:30 PM for issuance of a Library Card.
• IDs with damaged/unreadable magnetic stripes should be re-encoded at Day Hall (Photo Services, B7).

Proxy Cards

Faculty and staff may request Proxy Cards be issued to designated individuals. Proxy Cards are issued at 116 Olin Library, Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm. Proxies may charge out library books in the faculty/staff member's name. The faculty/staff member assumes all responsibility for books so charged out. Cards will be honored at all CU library units, and are valid for a period of up to one year. For details, contact (255-5069) at 116 Olin Library.

Recall Policy

The due dates stamped in borrowed books are the dates by which they must be returned, unless recalled by another user, or unless the borrower leaves the university. However, a minimum borrowing period of 14 days always applies to each regular loan.

All books are subject to recall at any time during their loan, including breaks, summer and intersession periods. Books may be recalled for personal use or for Course Reserve. Course Reserve recalls take priority over personal recalls.

• Almost all borrowers have recall privileges. There is no limit to the number of books which may be recalled by an individual.
• A recall notice is e-mailed to the borrower, informing him of the new due date. In most cases, this date will be 10 days after the date of recall. Recall fines of $3.00/day accrue after the recall due date.
• Borrowers are responsible for keeping their mailing addresses (e-mail, campus and US postal mail) accurate at all times. Changes can be made through http://whoiam.cornell.edu (for students) or Employee Essentials (for staff). NOTE: please include apartment numbers or department names for proper paper mail delivery.
• In general, recalled books must be returned within 10 days of the date of recall.
• All borrowers are responsible for the timely return of recalled books. To avoid problems, please return books as soon as you no longer need them; if you are planning to be out of town for longer than 10 days, please return books before departure, or make arrangements with others for the return of books, should they be recalled.

Fine Policy

* Serial: most serials are loaned for the same length of time as books, and carry the same fine rate; but some high-usage titles are loaned for one week for all users and carry a higher fine for late return (see High-Use Serial in chart).

Grace Period

• 9 calendar days, including closed days. The grace period applies to regular loans (6-month, 6-week and 4-week loans) which have not been recalled. 
• Reserve books have a grace period of 20 minutes. 
• There is no grace period for recalled books or Short-term loans (loans from 1 day to 2 weeks). 
• The grace period was designed to give borrowers the opportunity to return books without penalty, in the event they are temporarily unable to do so at the time the book is due. It is NOT an extension of the loan period. As such, books returned after the expiration of the grace period are fined from the actual due date of the book.

Notices

• Courtesy notice: users are sent one courtesy notice 3 days before the book is due.
• Overdue notice: one notice sent the two days after the due date.  Failure to receive an overdue notice does not excuse the borrower from payment of overdue fine penalties.
• Recall notice: one notice is sent the day after the recall is placed.
• Available notice: one notice is sent the day after a book becomes available for pick-up at the chosen library.

Books found in the stacks

• Overdue books which are found in the stacks undischarged may be assessed the full overdue fine up until the date of discovery.

Claims Returned

The library will search the stacks for a period of six weeks. If the book cannot be located, the borrower remains responsible for payment of replacement charges. In most cases, these charges will be cancelled, credited or refunded if the book is later found or returned. Determination of the amount of refund/credit, if any, will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Payment of Fines

Bills may be paid by cash or check at the service desk, unless the bill has already been forwarded to the Bursar or to Cornell Collections. In some cases, bills may be payable by university account; please speak with the Billing Supervisor.

Bills originating from the Engineering, Math, or Physical Sciences Library may be paid at any of those libraries. Receipts for all payments will be issued upon request. Student fines are forwarded to the Bursar after 10 days. Unpaid bills for faculty, staff and others whose accounts are not processed through the Bursar may be sent to the Cornell Collections office after 90 days, and will be assessed a 25% surcharge.

Bills for Replacement

• Items not returned or renewed within 27 days of the due date will be billed for replacement. The bill will include the book cost ($75.00 minimum) and a fine of $25.00 for regular loans or up to $60.00 for short loans and recalls.
• Books returned damaged may be billed for repair or replacement, as appropriate.  Damage may include extensive markings, missing or torn pages, water damage, mold, etc.
• If the user wishes to provide a replacement copy for a lost or damaged book, please first speak with the Billing Supervisor.  We will usually accept the same book in used but very good condition.  A $15 processing fee will apply; overdue fines may also apply, but will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
• Loss due to fire, theft or other circumstance: please speak with the Billing Supervisor.  In the case of theft, you may be required to furnish a police report.

Refunds/Credits for Billed Books

If a book is returned after a replacement bill has been issued, and no replacement has been ordered, the book cost will be forgiven, refunded or credited (as applicable). The $25 fine, any recall fines, processing fees and any charges assessed by Cornell Collections will usually not be forgiven or refunded. The library is not obligated to issue refunds for books returned later than one semester after the one in which the billing occurred; likewise, the library is not obligated to issue refunds to borrowers who have left the university.

Fine Appeals

Exemptions from fines and other charges will be considered on a case-by-case basis via a written Fine Appeal submitted to the Circulation Supervisor.

Summary of Borrower Responsibilities

1. As a condition for using the Cornell libraries, the borrower must know and abide by all system-wide usage policies and those in effect at the units from which s/he borrows.
2. The borrower retains sole responsibility for books charged out on his/her ID or Proxy Card. Responsibility is not transferable, and will be terminated only upon return of the borrowed material to Cornell library.
3. The borrower must return all library material before final departure from the university (upon graduation or termination of employment), regardless of the due dates stamped within the books.
4. Mailing addresses must be kept current at all times.
5. The borrower is responsible for the prompt return of recalled items at all times. This obligation does not cease if the borrower leaves town; arrangements must be made for the timely return of borrowed books, should they be recalled.
6. The borrower is responsible for knowing when books are due and for returning them by the due date. Failure to receive a courtesy or overdue reminder does not exempt the borrower from payment of fines or other charges.

Last updated 4/30/07 - JL