Borrowing Policies
Beginning February 1st, 2021, GVSU University Libraries will temporarily stop borrowing and loaning books through MeLCat. This means non-GVSU affiliates will be unable to check out GVSU materials during that time.
Loan Limits
The University Libraries allows users to check out a number of items at once. Current limits are:
- Undergraduate Students: 50 items
- Graduate Students: 100 items
- Faculty: 100 items
- Staff: 100 items
- Retirees: 50 items
- Alumni: 10 items
Books
Loan Periods
Books |
Popular Reading |
MeLCat Books |
|
---|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Student |
8 Weeks |
4 Weeks |
3 Weeks* |
Graduate Student |
20 Weeks |
4 Weeks |
3 Weeks* |
Faculty/Emeritus |
20 Weeks |
4 Weeks |
3 Weeks* |
Staff |
`20 Weeks |
4 Weeks |
3 Weeks* |
Alumni |
4 Weeks |
4 Weeks |
N/A |
* Depending on the lending library, loan periods for MeL books may be up to 90 days with one 30-day renewal.
Renewals
- GVSU-owned books:
- Faculty, Staff, and Emeritus faculty have 12 renewals per checkout.
- Graduate students have 4 renewals per checkout.
- Undergraduates have 1 renewal per checkout.
- Popular Reading books are limited to 1 renewal per checkout for all users.
- MeLCat books can be renewed once. Depending on the lending library, the renewal period may be anywhere from 3 weeks to 30 days.
Holds
- Books will be held for 7 days. MeLCat books will be held for 10 days.
Fines & Fees
- The University Libraries does not charge overdue fines on materials. Borrowers will still be responsible for the replacement cost of items that are lost or damaged.
- You will be charged $100.00 for books that are not returned. Getting an overdue notice but sure you returned the book? Fill out our Claimed Returned Form.
- Overdue books or outstanding fees will prevent you from checking out additional items and may affect your ability to register for classes or graduate.
Non-circulating Materials
Reference materials can only be used in the library.
Audio & Video
Loan Periods
Audio |
Video |
|
---|---|---|
Undergraduate Student |
4 Weeks |
4 Weeks |
Graduate Student |
20 Weeks |
20 Weeks |
Faculty/Emeritus |
20 Weeks |
20 Weeks |
Staff |
20 Weeks |
20 Weeks |
Alumni |
3 hours in the library |
3 hours in the library |
Renewals
- Audio and video materials can be renewed once.
- Videos borrowed from MeLCat cannot be renewed.
Holds & Recalls
- Items will be held for 7 days. MeLCat items will be held for 10 days.
- All checked-out items are subject to recall by another library user. If an item you have checked out is recalled, you will be given a new due date.
Fines & Fees
- The University Libraries does not charge overdue fines on materials. Borrowers will still be responsible for the replacement cost of items that are lost or damaged.
- You will be charged $100.00 for lost or damaged items. Getting an overdue notice but sure you returned the book? Fill out our Claimed Returned Form.
- Overdue books or outstanding fees will prevent you from checking out additional items and may affect your ability to register for classes or graduate.
Laptops
Loan Periods
- Laptops can be checked out for 4 hours and may be taken out of the building.
- Laptops can be renewed once.
Fines & Fees
- The University Libraries does not charge overdue fines on materials. Borrowers will still be responsible for the replacement cost of items that are lost or damaged.
- You will be charged $600.00 for non-returned laptops.
- Overdue materials or outstanding fees will prevent you from checking out additional items and may affect your ability to register for classes or graduate.
Journals & Magazines
Loan Periods
- Magazines and journals may be checked out for 1 week with no renewals. Alumni may use magazines and journals in the library only.
- Curriculum Materials Library magazines have the same loan periods as books.
Renewals
- Magazines and journals cannot be renewed.
Fines & Fees
- The University Libraries does not charge overdue fines on materials. Borrowers will still be responsible for the replacement cost of items that are lost or damaged.
- You will be charged $100.00 for bound periodicals that are not returned. Getting an overdue notice but sure you returned the book? Fill out our Claimed Returned Form.
- If you damage a bound periodical, you will be charged for repair or replacement, whichever is cheaper.
- Overdue books or outstanding fees will prevent you from checking out additional items and may affect your ability to register for classes or graduate.
Curriculum Materials
Loan Periods
Books & Magazines |
Educational Media |
|
---|---|---|
Undergraduate Student |
8 Weeks |
4 Weeks |
Graduate Student |
20 Weeks |
20 Weeks |
Faculty/Emeritus |
20 Weeks |
20 Weeks |
Staff |
20 Weeks |
20 Weeks |
GVSU Alumni |
4 Weeks |
4 Weeks |
Renewals
- All CML materials can be renewed once.
Fines & Fees
- The University Libraries does not charge overdue fines on materials. Borrowers will still be responsible for the replacement cost of items that are lost or damaged.
- If you damage or lose an item, you will be charged for repair or replacement, whichever is cheaper. The minimum charge is $100.00. Getting an overdue notice but sure you returned the book? Fill out our Claimed Returned Form.
- Overdue books or outstanding fees will prevent you from checking out additional items and may affect your ability to register for classes or graduate.
