February 12, 2004

The basics of borrowing books

The following is reprinted courtesy of the Northwestern Univeristy Library. It originally appeared in the Fall 2003 issue of the annual newsletter Bookmark.

Library cards

Your Northwestern WildCARD serves as your library card. It is nontransferable. Lost cards should be reported immediately to the Library Privileges Office in the Main Library, (847) 491-7617.

Loans

Books are loaned to undergraduates for four weeks, graduate students for 12 weeks, and faculty for one year. If a book that you have checked out is recalled, your loan period will be shortened. Journals and reference books do not circulate.

Renewals

Books may be renewed for an additional loan period of the same length as the first, provided the books have not been requested by another user. Books may be renewed in the library or online through the Library’s Web site at www.library.northwestern.edu /circulation/index.html (click on “Renewals” and then “via the Web”).

Library Storage Facility

Materials housed in the Library Storage facility may be requested at the Main Library Circulation Service desk or by submitting an online request at www.library.northwestern.edu/circulation/lsf_request.html. Archival materials housed in the storage facility may be requested at University Archives.

Recalls

If a book you need is checked out, stop by the Circulation Services desk to have it recalled. Books may also be recalled online at www.library.northwestern.edu/circulation/recall.html.

Search Request

If you cannot locate an item in its proper place, you may submit a search request at the Circulation Services desk. A book available notice will be sent to you when the item is found.

Book Returns

Books may be returned to the book drops at the Circulation Services desk or to the outside book drops located at the Main Library’s south entrance. The outside book drops are opened 24 hours a day.

Fines

Overdue books incur a 10-cent-per-day fine. If a book has been recalled, an additional $1-per-day charge is assessed. Questions about fines or lost or billed items should be directed to the collection or library from which the item was borrowed or to Circulation Services, (847) 491-2945.

Check your own library record

To access a list of books that you currently have checked out, go to the library’s online catalog as www.library.northwestern.edu/nucat/ and choose a search method. Select “Your account” from the menu at the top of the page and key in the bar code number on your WildCARD and your last name. In addition to a list of books, you will see the status of your recalls and holds and any outstanding fines or fees.

Do-it-yourself checkout

The main library has installed several self-checkout stations to allow for fast, easy book charging.
To use the service, scan your WildCARD, type your last name into a computer, and scan the bar codes on the books you are charging out.

The self-checkout station then prints a date-due slip for each book.

Stations are located in the Main Library on Level 1 and the linking corridors on Levels 3, 4, and 5 and in the Music Library, Government Publications and Maps Department, and the Mathematics Library.