Patrons can check out circulating books at the Circulation Counter located on the Main Level to the left of the front entrance and exit doors as you enter the Library.  Eligible borrowers, including MSU Faculty and Staff et al., MSU Students, MSU Families, Alumni and Retirees, Community Borrowers, Extended-Community Borrowers, and Non-MSU Faculty, Staff, and Students can borrow circulating books from Sprague Library with the proper identification. 

To borrow library materials, you must be registered in the Library's automated circulation system.  You may register by presenting a Montclair State University ID card or other valid form(s) of identification for your borrower category to the staff at the Circulation Desk.  Each time you want to check books out, present your valid borrower ID and the books at the Circulation Desk.  Patrons may return books to the Circulation Desk, or after hours, to the book drop, located to the left just outside the front entrance and exit doors of the Library.

Borrower records contain the identity of a patron and information concerning their use and circulation of library materials.  This information is strictly confidential and is not divulged or discussed with anyone except the patron.

Borrower IDs are not transferable.  Patrons may not allow others to use their Montclair State University ID or Sprague Library card to borrow library materials.  Report theft/loss of your MSU ID or Sprague Library card immediately by calling the Circulation Desk at (973) 655-4288.

Borrowers are responsible for informing the Circulation Department of any changes in address, telephone number, or academic status so their borrower record can be updated.

Borrowers are responsible for library materials checked out using their borrower ID and are liable for any overdue fines (where appropriate) and fees for damaged and lost materials.

Borrowers are responsible for keeping track of the due dates for borrowed materials and for returning or renewing them by the date due.  Overdue notices are sent to patrons only as a courtesy.

Reciprocal Borrowing

MSU faculty, staff, and graduate students can borrow library materials from participating members of VALE (Virtual Academic Library Environment), a consortium of academic libraries in New Jersey.  Upon presenting a photo ID and an authorized VALE Reciprocal Borrowing Application Form, available from the Circulation Department at Sprague Library, the lending library will issue a guest borrower card that is valid for one (1) academic year and expires June 30.  Borrowing privileges are subject to the circulation policies of the lending library.  Materials borrowed must be returned directly to the lending library.  A list of participating VALE libraries is available at the Circulation Desk and on the VALE Web site.

Likewise, Non-MSU faculty, staff, and graduate students from participating VALE institutions can borrow materials from Sprague Library.  Upon presenting a photo ID and an authorized VALE Reciprocal Borrowing Application Form from their home library, Sprague Library will issue a guest borrower card that is valid for one (1) academic year and expires June 30.  Borrowing privileges are subject to the circulation policies of Sprague Library.  Materials borrowed must be returned directly to Sprague Library.

Through NJALN (New Jersey Academic Library Network), a consortium of academic libraries, MSU students can borrow directly from the libraries at The College of New Jersey, Kean University, New Jersey City University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Richard Stockton College of NJ, Rowan University, and William Paterson University upon presenting a current, valid Montclair State ID card.  Borrowing privileges are subject to the circulation policies of the lending library.  Materials borrowed must be returned directly to the lending library.

Likewise, Non-MSU students from member institutions of the New Jersey Academic Library Network (NJALN) can borrow circulating books from Sprague Library with a current, valid ID card from their home institution and an additional form of identification (e.g., driver's license).  Borrowing privileges are subject to the circulation policies of Sprague Library.  Materials borrowed must be returned directly to Sprague Library.

Last Updated September 16, 2003