Students

The basis for our circulation system is the Lawrence University Honor Code, which applies to the misuse of Library materials as well as to plagiarism and cheating. The Code states, in part, that a student shall not "in any way intentionally limit or impede the academic performance or intellectual pursuits of fellow students."

What Can I Check Out?

Books in the main collection, as well as government documents and music scores, may be checked out for approximately 28 days.
Music CDs and audio cassettes circulate for 14 days.
Videos may be checked out for 7 days.

Please keep in mind that all materials leaving the library must be checked out at the circulation desk.

What Can't I Check Out?

Some materials cannot be removed from the library. These include reference books, periodicals (both bound and current), maps, newspapers, microforms, and college catalogs. In addition, course reserve material must be used in the library. If you wish to access items in the University Archives, the Lincoln Reading Room Collection, or the Milwaukee Downer Room Collection, please contact a reference librarian. These items must also be used in the library, and specific rules apply for their use.

How Do I Renew Items?

If you wish to keep an item longer than the circulation period, and if no one else has asked for it, please renew them via your LUCIA account. You can also bring the item or its call number to the circulation desk for renewal and a new due date. Renewals by telephone are also acceptable, however, these materials will not show a valid due date stamp and will be picked up by circulation desk personnel if left in library study areas.

What If Something Is Recalled?

If the book you are looking for is not on the shelf, please check at the circulation desk. It has probably been checked out. If it has been out to one person two weeks or more, we can recall it for you and it will be back in two days or less. Videos and music CDs can be recalled after they have been out for three days. The converse is also true--if you have an item which someone else wants, and if you have had it for two weeks (or three days for CDs and videos), we will notify you and you must return it within two days. Materials recalled for reserve use must be returned immediately.

What Happens If Something Is Overdue?

If overdue books are still needed for your academic work, please renew them using your My LUCIA account. If you do not plan to renew them, please return them as soon as possible so that they are available to others and to fulfill your obligation to the Honor Code. All overdue library materials must be returned prior to the registration period or you will not be able to register for classes.

Reshelving

Books that have been left in carrels or on reshelving shelves or carts will be picked up every day. If, however, you want to keep a book in a carrel for several days, check it out at the circulation desk. Checked out books bearing a valid due date will not be reshelved until they are returned to the circulation desk or become overdue.

Search

Occasionally an item cannot be found in its proper place. In this case our staff will search all the logical places where it might be. Many items show up in this process. Sometimes it happens that an item cannot be accounted for at all. In this case we continue periodically to search for it. Some of the materials turn up, some can be reordered, but if it is out of print, it may be lost to us forever. If you are unable to locate an item, please inquire at the reference desk or circulation desk for assistance. If you are unable to do so, or are still unable to find the item, submit our missing materials form. You may use Interlibrary Loan for a book that is missing.