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Borrowing Library Materials
This page describes the borrowing policies and privileges which have been approved by the Academic Senate.
Obtaining a UCSB Library Borrower's Card [top]
In order to borrow materials from the UCSB Library, a valid Library Card (ID) is needed. To get a library card:
  • Students: UCSB students are issued an Access Card which also functions as a library card. Once a student is officially registered with the University, their library privileges are automatically activated. Your Access Card will then serve as your library card.
  • Faculty and Staff: UCSB Academics and Staff should bring your staff Access Card to the Davidson or Arts Libraries' Circulation Desk and complete an application. Your Access Card will then serve as your library card.
  • Extension: UCSB Extension students must bring their receipt to the Circulation Desk as proof of payment for Extension classes. Also bring a check or money order payable to the "UC Regents" in the amount of $12. (Acceptable payment methods are by check or money order only.) After filling out a library card application you will be issued a library card. Note: library cards for Extension students do NOT include Interlibrary Loan or access to licensed databases from off-campus.
  • Non-UCSB Patrons: Library Cards may be purchased for $100 for one year. However, an optional UCSB Library Card ($25) is available for members of the UCSB Affiliates or Music Affiliates. Individuals may join the UCSB Affiliates and the Music Affiliates (both groups) for $50 or just one group for $40. Acceptable payment methods are by check or money order only. Several other categories of users are eligible for library cards at no fee, including: members of the UC Alumni Association; California K-12 public school teachers; students, faculty, and staff at other UCs; faculty from institutions participating in the OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program; and faculty and librarians at WASC accredited California colleges and universities. Note: library cards for Non-UCSB patrons do NOT include Interlibrary Loan or access to licensed databases from off-campus.
Borrowing Items from the Library [top]
To borrow items from the Davidson Library, present the item(s) and your library card at the Circulation Desk.  Curriculum Lab and Arts Library materials are checked out at their respective service desks. Note that non-UCSB patrons may not be allowed to check out all types of material.

Proxy Borrowers [top]
Tenured and tenure-track faculty who are registered borrowers may designate up to three (3) research assistants to check out library materials on their behalf. Other faculty may have one. These research assistants become "proxies" and will be issued a proxy library card. Proxies are not to be used for spouses, domestic partners, children, or friends. By having proxies, faculty accept complete responsibility for all material checked out with the proxy cards, including replacement costs and the non-refundable processing fee (see overdues, fines, and replacement charges). Doctoral candidates are not eligible to have proxies.  Applications for proxies may be completed at the Circulation Desk in the Davidson Library.

Loan Periods [top]
  • Tenured and Tenure-track Faculty and Lecturers: Books from the general collection may be checked out until a fixed annual due date (generally in April).  Journals may be checked out for four days.  A maximum of 1500 items (including those on proxy IDs) may be checked out at any one time.  Loan periods from other collections, such as the Curriculum Lab, Government Publications and Ethnic and Gender Collections may differ.  
  • Other Academic Staff: Books from the general collection may be checked out until a fixed quarterly due date.  Journals may be checked out for four days.  A maximum of 500 items (including those on proxy IDs) may be checked out at any one time.  Loan periods from other collections, such as the Curriculum Lab, Government Publications and Ethnic and Gender Collections may differ.  
  • Doctoral Candidates who are ABD: Books from the general collection may be checked out until a fixed annual due date (generally in April). Journals may be checked out for four days. A maximum of 300 items may be checked out at any one time. Loan periods from other collections, such as the Curriculum Lab, Government Publications and Ethnic and Gender Collections may differ.
  • Graduate Students, and Undergraduates with Honors: Books from the general collection may be checked out until a fixed quarterly due date Journals may be checked out for one day. A maximum of 200 items may be checked out at any one time. Loan periods from other collections, such as the Curriculum Lab, Government Publications and Ethnic and Gender Collections may differ.
  • Undergraduates: Books from the general collection may be checked out for three weeks and journals for one day. A maximum of fifty (50) items may be checked out at any one time. Loan periods from other collections, such as the Curriculum Lab, Government Publications, Ethnic and Gender Collections may differ.
  • Staff: Books from the general collection may be checked out until a fixed quarterly due date and journals for one day. A maximum of one hundred (100) items may be checked out at any one time. Loan periods from other collections, such as the Curriculum Lab, Government Publications, Ethnic and Gender Collections may differ.
  • Non-UCSB Patrons: Books from the general collection may be checked out for three weeks. Materials from other collections, such as the Curriculum Lab, Government Publications, and Ethnic and Gender Collections may have different loan periods. UCSB Affiliates and Music Affiliates cardholders may have a maximum of 50 items checked out; other courtesy borrowers are limited to 10 items at a time.
Recalls [top]
All faculty, students and staff can recall materials from other library users. This means that if something you want is checked out to someone else, you may recall it, and the person who has the item will have to return it. Items may be recalled at any time, but the minimum loan period for all books is three weeks. However, items recalled by the Reserve Book Service must be returned in 7 days, regardless of when they were checked out. If an item you have borrowed is recalled, you must return the item by the new due date. Items not returned by the new recall due date are subject to fines. All library materials are subject to immediate rush recall by the Reserve Book Service.  Recall fines are $1.00 per day for regular recalls and $2.50 per day for rush recalls. The maximum fine is $20. Being out of town does not excuse recall fines.

Courtesy and Community borrowers may not recall items.

Renewals [top]
All library patrons can renew materials 5 times beyond their initial due date unless they have been recalled. Renewals are permitted beyond the 5th renewal period by physically presenting the item at the library. You may renew the items through "Your Account" on Pegasus; see How to Renew Library Materials.

Interlibrary Loan [top]
Students, faculty, and staff may use Interlibrary Loan to request items from other libraries if UCSB does not own the item. Non-UCSB patrons should utilize their local public library, such as the Santa Barbara Public Library.

Courtesy Notices [top]
By including your email address in your account on Pegasus (see How to Register for Electronic (E-mail) Library Notices), you will receive "courtesy notices" via email four days before your item(s) are due. These notices include instructions for how to renew your materials online.

Returning Books [top]
Items borrowed are due back in the Library by closing time on the date due.  Please return materials to the bin near the Circulation Desk, the bin inside the East Entrance, or to the overnight book drops (located next to the entrances of Davidson Library and the Arts Library).  Books may also be returned at the Circulation Desk counter and receipts for returned books are available upon request.

Overdues, Fines, and Replacement Charges [top]
General Collection: Except for recalled materials, the Library does not charge daily overdue fines for material borrowed from the general collection. Borrowers with overdue materials will be unable to conduct new library transactions until all late items are renewed or returned. For each item more than 30 days overdue, a standard replacement charge will be added to the borrower's account. A non-refundable $15 processing fee is added with each replacement charge.

Interlibrary Loan: Items borrowed via Interlibrary Loan are charged an initial replacement cost of $125 plus a non-refundable handling charge of $15 when an item becomes thirty (30) days overdue. After the initial replacement charge has been made, it may be amended upward to reflect the item's actual value as determined by the lending library.

Course Reserves: Items checked out from Reserves that become overdue are charged a $2.00 initial fine, plus $2.00 for any part of an hour. There is no grace period for Reserve overdues, and there is no cap on the amount charged. During dead week and finals, fines are doubled to $4.00/hour. Borrowers with overdue materials will be unable to conduct new library transactions until all late items are renewed or returned. Borrowers who turn Reserve materials in late repeatedly, or who cause others to be unable to borrow materials, may be blocked from all Reserves activity. For each item more than 3 days overdue, a replacement charge will be added to the borrower's account. A non-refundable $15 processing fee is added with each replacement charge in addition to the overdue fines. Once the library has ordered a replacement copy, the replacement fee is non-refundable.

Replacement Charges
Type of material Replacement cost (minimum) Processing feee (non-refundable)
Books: actual cost or $65 minimum $15
Arts Books: actual cost or $125 minimum $15
Current Journals: actual cost or $125 minimum $15
Bound Journals: actual cost or $125 minimum $15
Video/Audio Materials: actual cost or $80 minimum $15


Billing and Payments: [top]
All library charges and credits will appear on a monthly statement issued by the University's Billing and Accounts Receivable Office (BA/RC).  Payments can be made in person at the Cashier's Office in SAASB. For inquires about methods of payment or statement balances, please contact the BA/RC office directly at 805 893-3756. The Library does not accept payments.

Responsibilities of Library Users [top]
When you use your Library Card, you agree to abide by the following provisions of the UCSB Library Lending Code.  Failure to comply with the provisions could result in revoking of all library privileges.
  • Borrowers' cards are NOT transferable.  A satisfactory picture identification may be requested, along with your library card, to check out library materials. You should not lend library materials to any other person or check out materials for any other person.  You are responsible for all library materials borrowed in your name (including proxy IDs) until those materials are returned to the library.
  • You must keep your mailing and/or email addresses current so that notices such as recalls and overdues will be delivered to your correct address. You may update this information in "Your Account" on Pegasus; see How Do I Sign In to my Library Account.  Library charges incurred due to failure to deliver notices related to inaccurate address information will not be canceled.  Address updates may also be sent to Circulation Services.
  • It is your responsibility to keep track of library materials which are checked out to you. A list of items on your record is available in "Your Account" in Pegasus (see View library Items On Loan).  You should respond immediately to recall and overdue notices.
  • Materials must be returned to the library in the same physical condition as when they were checked out. Highlighting or marking in items, or inserting Post-itTM notes, is prohibited and damages will be charged to the borrower. Theft, mutilation, or defacement of Library materials is punishable by law (imprisonment up to six months and a fine not to exceed $1000). Offenses are referred to the District Attorney's Office for appropriate action.
  • For lost or missing library cards, please send an e-mail message to Circulation Services or call (805) 893-3491.  You are responsible for any library materials checked out with the card before its loss is reported to the library.
Questions or Comments: Circulation Services. 

Updated: 12/18/09 04:27:05

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