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UF Unaffiliated Circulation Policies

These policies pertain to operations in the Architecture & Fine Arts Library, Education Library, Marston Science 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.

Click on the link located beneath 'Borrower Category' below for the relevent application form, and return completed application to Circulation Services for processing.

Borrower Category	Fee	Loan Period	# of Items	ILL	Remote Access
Member of the Alumni Association or Howe Society	$30 / 4 months* or $75/year	3 weeks	10	No	No
Member of the General Public with Approved Application	$40 / 4 months* or $100/year	3 weeks	10	No	No

*There is no prorating of fees to accommodate longer or shorter time periods.

How To Get A Library Card

• Submit an application for borrowing privileges at the Library West Circulation Desk.
• The Gator 1 identification card or a library assigned card is used for borrowing.

Borrower Responsibilities

• The borrower most present a valid Gator 1 ID card in order to check out library materials and/or access databases remotely (http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/ufproxy.html)
• Identity information must be up to date on your MyUFL account.
• Recalled books must be returned to the owning library before or by the new due date.

Renewing Library Privileges

• Present the current identification card to the Library West 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.
• Failure to receive this notice 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 for whcih renewals are not allowed (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

• Special 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.
• Special 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.
• Special borrowers may also recall an item charged to another borrower or request storage material by clicking on 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 except for items in storage which will be available the next business day.

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.
• Upon returning it, the borrower may complete a new request for the item.
• Materials needed for course reserve are due immediately. 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.

Lost Item Replacement Policy
When library materials are misplaced, not returned or renewed after the due date has passed, Smathers Libraries declares the materials “Lost” and will begin the replacement process.  The libraries will attempt to quickly replace lost items with an exact copy, an updated edition of the title, or a similar title (see process chart below for Library action timeframe).  The libraries no longer refund replacement costs for items that are returned after replacement copies are ordered. Overdue fines related to lost items are not increasing and are not refundable if the book is subsequently returned. Specific fines and fees are delineated at the Library Fines & Fees page
This policy and billing cycle pertains to the Smathers Libraries only and excludes the Health Science Center Libraries and the Legal Information Center. Please refer to their web sites for billing policies.

Overdue Consequences

• Failure to return or renew materials on or before the due date will result in blocked library privileges.
• Overdue fine rates are posted at the Library Fines & Fees page

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://fa.ufl.edu/bursar/
• Overdue fines, replacement fines, and replacement costs 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 email (surface mail will be used ONLY if the borrower has no email account).  It is the borrower's responsibility to check this 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.