CIRCULATION  POLICIES

The following limits apply to all patron categories.  All circulation activity, both in the library and online, will be suspended when the limits are reached. 

• Expiration Date – End of the term, academic year, or membership year, depending on patron category.  Accounts for continuing students, faculty, and staff will be extended before the expiration date.

• Amount Owed to the Library- $15 limit for all patron categories.

• Overdues – Once a second notice is sent for an overdue item, the account is blocked.

• Holds – Limited to 10 requests at one time.

• Number of Items - The overall limit on item check-out is 5, 10, 25, or 50, depending on your patron category.   All patrons are limited to two reserve items and five Test Preparation books at one time.

Holds in the Online Catalog

• This type of hold reserves an item that is currently checked out for your use.   All circulating materials, except for reserves, equipment, and Test Preparation books, are eligible. Requests are not accepted for noncirculating items or for circulating items that are available in the library. 

• To request an item that is currently checked out, use the Request function in the online catalog or complete a Hold Request form at the second-floor Circulation Desk. 

• Once a requested item is returned, the requestor is notified and has up to 7 days to pick it up.  Notices are sent by mail or e-mail; as staff time permits, patrons are also notified by telephone.

• Items with an active request may not be renewed.

• Holds on checked-out items are available only to current UNTHSC faculty, students, and staff. 

Holds at the Circulation Desk

• Circulating materials that are not checked out can be held at the second-floor Circulation Desk for later pick-up.  All library account holders are eligible, and the items will be held until closing the following day.

• Reserves, equipment, and Test Preparation books are excluded.  

Reserving an Item

UNTHSC faculty and staff can make an advance reservation for use of library materials or equipment if the request is for instructional use and for a specific and limited period of time.  If individual students need to use the item, or if it is needed for more than a few days, then it should be placed on reserve in the library instead.  To reserve an item, send an e-mail message containing a link to its catalog record to libcirc@hsc.unt.edu.  Alternatively, call the Circulation Desk at 817-735-2465.

Recalled Items

• Items needed for course reserves may be recalled at any time.  The borrower will be notified by e-mail or telephone and will have 3 days to return the item before overdue fines are charged.

• Books checked out for longer than two weeks are subject to recall.  If a UNTHSC patron requests it, the circulation system recalculates the due date and the borrower is notified by e-mail or mail.  The borrower will have at least 14 days to use the item and at least 7 days after the notice is issued to return it without penalty.

Lost & Long-Overdue Items

• If an item is reported lost or has not been returned after two overdue notices have been sent, the borrower will be billed for its replacement cost and a $30 processing fee.  Overdue fines will continue to accrue, up to a $50 maximum, until the borrower returns the item or pays the charges.  

• If the item is returned in good condition before the replacement and processing charges are paid, they will be waived.  Payment of the overdue fine is due at that time.

• If the item is returned in good condition after replacement and processing charges have been paid, only the replacement charge will be refunded.  Processing charges and overdue fines are nonrefundable.  The refund of the replacement charge will be applied first to any outstanding charges on the account, with the remainder paid by check to the patron.

• In lieu of the replacement charge for a lost item, the borrower may provide a replacement copy in new or excellent condition.  The replacement must have the same standard identification number as the lost copy, and its acceptance is subject to librarian approval.   The processing charge will not be waived in this case, due to the costs of making the replacement copy ready for circulation.

Equitable Access to Materials

To give other patrons opportunity to access a circulating item, a waiting period is imposed before the same item can be checked out again by the same patron:

• 30 minutes for items that are restricted to library use only;

• Next day for other materials.

If two or more patrons are found to be checking out the same item alternately and repeatedly so as to have continuous access to it, the standard waiting period for subsequent check-out will be imposed before any member of the group can check it out again.