Borrowing Privileges

A valid library card must be presented in order to borrow materials or to obtain other library services. Privileges will not be extended to borrowers with outstanding fines. Library cards are not transferable. The person named on the card is responsible for all library transactions made with the card. The loss or theft of a card must be reported immediately to the Circulation staff.  Borrowers will be held accountable for transactions on their card until such notification is received.

Where to borrow

Library materials are borrowed at the:

• Circulation Desk, located on the first floor of the Scott Library.
• A Self Check system, allows borrowers to charge out books without waiting in the Circulation Desk line.  This system can only be used if your account is not blocked by unpaid bills ($25.00 or more in the case of University borrowers, and $5.00 in the case of External borrowers) and/or overdue book fines.

Who may borrow

The following people may borrow books upon presentation of a current identification card:

• all faculty, students and staff of York University; faculty, students and staff affiliated with York University such as retired faculty and staff, field instructors, host teachers, adjunct professors, post-doctoral fellows and visiting scholars
• faculty, students and staff at universities with which York has reciprocal borrowing agreements; other persons such as York University alumni and members of the public (excluding high school, community college and undergraduate students) upon payment of an annual fee. Due to database licensing agreements, external borrowers do not have remote access to periodical databases or electronic journals.

What is the borrowing period?

Loan periods for library materials are established to provide reasonable access to all members of the university community.

Circulating Materials

• Regular Loan:

  Books and other materials designated for regular loan normally may be borrowed for 14 days. Unless requested by another borrower, these materials may be renewed to a maximum of six renewals by York University borrowers and twice by external borrowers. Items with more than one hold are loaned for 7 days only and are not renewable.

• Reserve Loan:

  Books and other materials in Reserve collections may be borrowed by York University borrowers for periods ranging from two hours to 3 days as determined by each Reserve unit. These materials may not be renewed.

• Extended Loan:

  Faculty members, graduate students working on a post-graduate thesis, and research associates will receive materials for 100 days. Unless requested by another borrower, these materials may be renewed twice. Items borrowed on extended loan are subject to recall. Graduate students may apply for extended loan privileges at the Circulation Desk, Scott Library by submitting a signed letter from their programme director stating that they are currently working on a master’s or doctoral thesis.

• Loan Limit:

  Faculty and graduate students with extended loan privileges have a loan limit of 80 items at any given time; graduate and undergraduate students have a limit of 50; external borrowers have a limit of 15.

Non-circulating Materials

• Journals, both current and retrospective (unbound and bound) do not circulate.
• Each of the York University Libraries contain other materials, which do not circulate (for example: reference books, rare books, archival material and law reports).
• The Sound and Moving Image Library, Map Library and Scott Library Microtext Collection have restricted lending policies. These policy statements may be found in the regulations associated with the Lending Code. Some non-circulating materials may be circulated for a limited loan period upon application to and, at the discretion of, the head of that library.

How to renew

Borrowers may renew circulating materials (excluding reserve materials)

• using the online Renewal service via My Library Account
• in person

Please note: When renewing in person you must have the books in hand.

Renew online

You cannot renew online if your privileges are blocked (owe $25.00 or more in the case of University borrowers or $5.00 in the case of External borrowers on returned and/or overdue items). Fines will continue to accrue on overdue items and you are responsible for these fines. Individual items will be blocked from renewal if the renewal limit has been reached, or if an item has been requested by another person.

If you encounter difficulty renewing material online, please contact Scott Circulation Services at 416-736-5181.

The online renewal page is unavailable Friday evening from 11:15 P.M.to 1:30 A.M.

When entering your user information do not enter spaces or dashes.

Renew in person

You can renew materials in person at the Circulation Desk if:

• your account is not blocked due to fines ($25.00 or more in the case of University borrowers or $5.00 in the case of External borrowers)
• materials have not been requested by another borrower
• the renewal limit has not been reached

To avoid fines renew items before the due date. When overdue items are renewed, fines will be assessed at the rate of $0.50 per day per item. The renewal of overdue items may result in a block to further borrowing.