Montclair State University students can borrow library materials upon presenting a current, valid Montclair State ID card.  ID cards can be obtained at the I-Card Office, located behind the Computer Lab on the lower level of the Student Center.  ID cards are not transferable.  Students must present their own ID card in order to check out books.  Borrowers will be held responsible for all materials checked out on their ID card.  A driver’s license cannot be substituted for the ID card.

Loan Period and Renewals

The loan period for books is twenty-eight (28) days, with one (1) renewal of twenty-eight (28) days, except at the end of each semester when the due date falls on the last day of the term.

Students can renew books once.  Items can be renewed in person at the Circulation Desk and online.  To renew library materials online, select the ‘My Library Card’ link on the Sprague Library Catalog Web page.  Instructions for renewing books online are available on the My Library Card Services Web page.  After one (1) renewal, students must return the books to the Library.  Overdue books, books for which there are outstanding Holds (i.e., items requested by other patrons) and those that have reached the renewal limit cannot be renewed.

Limit

A cumulative, maximum of twenty-five (25) books can be checked out at any given time.

Holds and Recalls

Holds can be placed on available materials (e.g., books whose location is ‘Stacks’) and on items currently checked out to other patrons (e.g., books whose status is ‘Material has been checked/charged out’) at the Circulation Desk or online.  Instructions for placing Holds online are available on the Holds and Recalls Web page.  Students will be notified when the books become available.  Requested materials will be kept at the Circulation Desk until claimed for ten (10) days, after which they will be returned to the collection.

The Library can recall books in circulation if needed for Reserves or requested by another patron.  Patrons can request that the Library recall books only at the Circulation Desk.  Recalled books must be returned immediately.  Failure to return books that have been recalled will result in the suspension of borrowing privileges. 

Fines and Fees

As a courtesy, no fines are charged for overdue books.

A fee of $70.00 (average book price of $60.00 plus $10.00 for processing) will be charged for lost books.  However, the Library retains the right to determine the value of any lost book.  No refunds will be given for books returned after payment has been made.  Costs will be assessed for damage to library materials.

Borrowing privileges will be suspended until overdue books are returned, or the library obligation is paid.

Unpaid library obligations will be referred to the Business Office, which may result in the inability to register for classes, the withholding of transcripts and/or diploma, and referral to a collection agency.

Print and Electronic Reserves

Reserves are course related materials that are set apart from the rest of the Library’s collection at the request of faculty for the exclusive use of MSU students enrolled in specific courses. 

The Print Reserves collection is located behind the Circulation Desk.  Students can locate desired materials by searching the Reserves Course Lists, organized by Instructor’s name, in loose-leaf binders located at the Circulation Desk.  Circulation Department staff will retrieve items in the Reserves collection.  Students can borrow two (2) items simultaneously.  Materials on two (2) hour loan cannot be removed from the Library.  Items borrowed from the Reserves collection must be returned to the Circulation Desk or placed in the Reserves book drop.

Students can access E-Reserves by entering the Blackboard URL in any browser; entering the same Username and Password as their MSU webmail account (NetID); clicking the Login button; selecting the link to the course in the My Courses module; clicking the link/button (determined by the instructor) on the left panel (e.g., Course Information, Course Documents, Assignments, etc.) to view E-Reserves content; and then clicking the link to the E-Reserves document they wish to view.

Reciprocal Borrowing

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.

Through VALE (Virtual Academic Library Environment), a consortium of academic libraries in New Jersey, MSU graduate students can borrow library materials from participating member libraries.  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 library 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 or on the VALE Web site.

Last Modified January 25, 2007