Access and Borrowing Policies

Loan Periods and Borrowing Limits

Permanent ranked faculty and PhD students of Princeton Theological Seminary and Princeton University may borrow books until the end of the academic year (June 30). Other patrons may borrow materials for a maximum of four weeks. Fines begin to accumulate at the expiration of the borrowing period.

Typically, you are entitled to use a book for a minimum of fourteen days, after which time another borrower may recall it.

See also: Loan Periods for Other Formats (below)

Loan Periods for Other Formats

Format – Loan Period

• Curricula – 2 weeks
• DVDs, videos – 1 week
• Other non-print materials – 2 weeks
• Periodicals (journals) and Reference – In-Library Use Only
• Reserve items – Varies

Borrowing and Return of Library Materials

To borrow library materials, check them out at the Circulation Desk with a valid library card. Return items to the Circulation Desk on or before their due date. A night book drop, located to the left of the front doors of the main entrance, is available for returning items when the library is closed.

All library services end 15 minutes before the library closes. This includes copying and checking out materials.

Borrowing from Other Libraries: Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Interlibrary Loan

Recalls

If an item is currently checked out to another borrower, patrons with recall privileges may recall it.

When an item is recalled, a recall notice is generated with the new due date and sent to the current borrower. The current borrower must return the item by the date indicated on the recall notice. Items recalled by the library, often for Course Reserves, are due immediately.

When the recalled item is returned, the requestor will receive an email notification to pick up the item from the Circulation Desk within 14 days. Items not picked up within 14 days will be returned to the stacks.

Everyone is responsible for honoring recall requests and subject to fines for not returning recalled items. Failure to return a recalled item by the new due date will incur a fine of $1.00 per day, and the borrower will be prevented from borrowing again until the item is returned.

Fines

The following schedule of overdue fines applies to all borrowers:

• Reserve and overnight books $1.00/hour
• Recalled items $1.00/day

The following schedule of overdue fines applies to borrowers other than current Princeton Theological Seminary faculty, students, and staff, who are exempt from general late fees:

• Media (DVDs, videos, CDs) $1.00/day
• Other non-print materials $0.50/day
• Books $0.25/day
• Curricula $0.25/day

Fines are normally paid at the time of return. Recall and overdue notices are sent via e-mail and if necessary by campus mail or U.S.P.S. mail.

When the fines on any user account reach a level of $20 or more, that account will be “frozen” (no new transactions will be permitted) until the fines are paid. Repeated failure to pay fines and penalties will result in the eventual loss of borrowing privileges.

If an item is not returned within 90 days of its due date, the item is considered lost and will be charged replacement and processing fees (see Lost or Damaged Books). All borrowers, including current PTS faculty, students, and staff, will need to follow this 90 day rule.

Lost or Damaged Books

If a book is long overdue, damaged, or reported lost, a minimum replacement fee of $100 will be applied to the account. This fee includes the replacement and processing of the item. The Library reserves the right to adjust this replacement fee upward if the cost of the replacement is higher. In some situations you may replace the lost item with a new book of the same edition and pay a $50 processing fee.

If you have questions or believe you have received such a notice in error, please communicate with a Circulation Desk Supervisor in person, over the phone at 609-497-7940, or via email. Patrons may request a receipt for their account status at any time.

Defacement of Library Property

Users are expected to treat library books and other materials with special care, since they ordinarily must serve generations of researchers. Marking in books (even with pencil), cutting or bending pages, and breaking book spines to flatten them on a copier are all regarded as defacement of library property. Persons who are found to treat books in such ways will be required, as a condition for retaining or regaining their user privileges, to compensate the library for replacement or restoration costs. Providing such compensation does not give the user title to the defaced item. Particularly flagrant cases of defacement may result in permanent revocation of library privileges and in other actions available to the Seminary under New Jersey law.

For further information on disciplinary procedures, consult the current edition of the Seminary Handbook.