Reserves Policy

University Libraries
The University of Southern Mississippi
(Revised July 2007)

Circulation Policy

Reserves FAQ

University Libraries' Reserves Policy governs the use of reserve materials in Cook Library, McCain Library and Archives, Gulf Coast Library, and Gunter Library at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.

POLICY STATEMENT:
Each borrower assumes full responsibility for all materials charged to his or her account and for knowledge of and adherence to library policies concerning loan periods and penalties.

BORROWER INFORMATION:
It is the responsibility of the borrower to maintain current name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address with the University (Office of the Registrar and Department of Human Resources) and University Libraries. Please check with personnel at the circulation desks of any library to update this information with University Libraries.

BORROWER IDENTIFICATION:
Identification is required for circulation privileges according to the following categories:
University Permanent Employees: Faculty, Staff, and Administrative Officials - Current employee card.
University Students: Current student identification card.
Community Borrowers: Current alumni cards; retired faculty and staff identification cards; special programs and nontraditional studies verification cards; temporary University personnel cards, and reciprocal agreement borrowers’ cards.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF LIBRARY RECORDS:
Consistent with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and Mississippi Code 39-3-365, University Libraries does not release personal information to a third party, or by telephone, without prior written consent.

CIRCULATING MATERIALS:
Borrowers may check out two Reserve items, library system-wide, at any given time.

RESERVE LOAN PERIODS:
Reserve materials have the following loan periods, regardless of patron category:

• 3-hour - for three hour loan; if checked out within the last 3 hours of library operations, due at closing
• Overnight - due the following day, by closing
• 3-day - due three days from check out, by closing
• 1-week - due seven days from check out, by closing

NOTICES:
It is the responsibility of the borrower to return materials on or before the due date/time. Overdue notices are provided only as a courtesy.

HOLDS:
Holds may not be placed on Reserve materials.

RETURNS:
Materials borrowed from Reserve collections must be returned to those locations.

CHARGES ASSESSED:
Overdue fines All borrowers are subject to fines for items returned after the date due/time. Fines on Reserve materials are calculated at a different rate than regular circulating material. Three-hour reserves are calculated at $.50 per hour; overnight, 3-day, and 7-day reserves are calculated at $10.00 per day, per item, for each day the library is open. Maximum fines assessed will be $500.00 per item.

Returned checks - $30.00 will be assessed for returned checks.

DELINQUENCY:
Borrowing privileges are suspended when five items are kept beyond the date due or library charges exceed $20.00.

DAMAGED ITEMS:
Charges for damaged items are determined and assessed by University Libraries' personnel based on the extent of damage and the format. Extensive damage may require full replacement charges of item.

LOST ITEMS:
Library materials declared lost or kept at least 37 days beyond the due date will be billed replacement charges as follows:
Items still in print:

• list price,
• $25.00 processing fee, and
• fines incurred, not to exceed $100.00;

• list price,
• $25.00 processing fee, and
• fines incurred, not to exceed $100.00;

• default replacement price not less than $80.00,
• $20.00 non-refundable billing fee, and
• fines incurred, not to exceed $500.00;

• default replacement price not less than $80.00,
• $20.00 non-refundable billing fee, and
• fines incurred, not to exceed $500.00;

Borrowing privileges will be suspended, and fines will continue to accrue until payment is received for lost books and materials.

APPEALS:
All legitimate objections related to library charges will be considered. Problems that do not constitute a legitimate basis for appeal are:

• Lack of knowledge of library policy
• Lack of understanding of library policy
• Disagreement with library policy
• Inability to pay fines and charges
• Failure to receive an overdue notice
• Unwillingness to take responsibility for materials loaned to a third party, for example, loaning materials charged to you to a classmate, family member, faculty member, etc.

LOST ITEMS RETURNED:
Lost library materials returned within one year of charge are eligible for credit of the replacement price and fines. Fines are recalculated and charged from the due date to the date of return.