Circulation Services

General Information

Patrons may register for library privileges at a circulation desk in Shields Library, the Carlson Health Sciences Library, the Blaisdell Medical Library, or the Physical Sciences & Engineering Library.

Lending Regulations

The lending regulations outlined here govern the lending of books and other library materials. The Academic Senate Library Committee endorses the policies in this document. University of California students, faculty and staff have priority access to the University Library collections. Resources are made available to external users whenever possible and when this does not conflict with this primary responsibility. Individual library units may have additional regulations; ask at the circulation desk for unit-specific lending regulations.

Patrons may check out and renew library materials at circulation desks. Patrons may also get assistance locating missing materials and placing holds or recalls on materials that are checked out to other borrowers.

Patrons must present a library-authenticated UC Davis student or employee photo ID or a valid UC Davis library card or enter the 14-digit barcode number into automated library systems when conducting library transactions.

Most University Library units operate on an open stack, self-service basis. University of California faculty, staff and students may have a combined total of 300 items, including interlibrary loan materials, checked out at one time.

Library materials that are on loan may be recalled at any time and must be returned directly to a library circulation desk. Borrowers who will be away from their mailing address for a week or more are advised to return library materials or make arrangements to ensure the prompt return of books if recalled for another borrower.

Responsibilities of Borrowers Granted Library Privileges

Borrowers are responsible for library materials checked out to them until they are returned to the lending library.

Library privileges are not transferable; individuals are prohibited by Library policy from lending their library privileges to others.

Privilege holders are responsible for maintaining current email and postal addresses. This information can be updated at any circulation desk or by using Update Addresses in the My Account section of the Harvest Library Catalog. The libraries assume no responsibility for undeliverable or misdirected notices. Non-receipt of notices due to an incorrect address may result in replacement bills and loss of library privileges. The library does not automatically receive updated addresses from other campus units (e.g., Registrar).

Confidentiality of Records

In compliance with California State privacy laws, library staff may not disclose the identities of borrowers who have books checked out.

Abuse of Library Privileges

Abuse of library privileges may result in loss of library privileges in all UC Davis libraries.

Examples of abuse of library privileges include repeatedly not returning materials on time, not paying replacement bills, not responding to recall notices, not returning library materials even after replacement bills have been issued, mutilation or damage of library materials, misuse of library computers, and misuse of the library's electronic resources.

• Consequences resulting from non-payment of Library bills:
  • For students, non-payment of library bills will result in individuals being dropped from classes and holds being placed on academic records.
  • For non-students, including faculty & staff, the Campus Cashier's Office refers unpaid bills to a collection agency.
  • Library privileges will be suspended if library replacement bills are not paid within 90 days.
  • CSUS Students will lose privileges at the CSUS library

Any person who steals or mutilates Library material is subject to prosecution under the provisions of the California Education Code.

Checking Out Library Materials

Loan periods vary by library unit and type of material. Materials on reserve for courses have shorter loan periods. Patrons should check with individual library units for additional policies. Patrons must present a valid UC Davis library card when checking out library materials.

Library privileges are not transferable. Library cards can only be used by the person named on the card.

Authorization cards, which allow borrowing by proxy, may be issued to Davis Campus faculty and disabled staff and students. Please see section on Proxy Cards for more information on proxy card eligibility.

Loan Periods

All library materials are subject to immediate recall; please read the Recall section for more information.

• Library Use Only

  • Library Use Only material may only be used in the library.
  • This category includes:
    • Unbound issues of journals and periodicals, except those in the Blaisdell Medical Library
    • Most bound volumes of journals in the Carlson Health Sciences Library
    • Bound volumes of chemistry journals in Physical Sciences & Engineering Library
  • All journals and periodicals are library use only for non-UC Davis patrons.

• 1 Day

  • Due 1 day after date loaned. One renewal allowed.
  • This category includes:
    • Bound periodicals and journals with call numbers beginning with A, Bf, G-L, Q-T (including Qa75-76 and Qa801-939, but not mathematics)
    • Unbound and bound journals in the Blaisdell Medical Library
  • All journals and periodicals are library use only for non-UC Davis patrons.

• 7 Days

  • Due 7 days after date loaned. Renewals allowed.
  • This category includes:
    • Bound periodicals and journals in call numbers classifications B-F except Bf (psychology), M-P, Qa 1-74, and Qa77-699 (mathematics), U-Z
    • Specially designated 1-week books in Shields Library
    • Focus Topic Journals in the Carlson Health Science Library and the Blaisdell Medical Library
    • Audiovisual materials in the Carlson Health Science Library and the Blaisdell Medical Library
    • All books with holds
  • All journals are library use only for non-UC Davis patrons.

• 14 Days

  • Due 14 days after date loaned. Renewals allowed.
  • This category includes:
    • Monographs in the Blaisdell Medical Library
    • Monographs in Shields Library and the Physical Sciences & Engineering Library for UC undergraduates, most university staff members, and non-affiliated borrowers

• 28 Days

  • Due 28 days after date loaned. Renewals allowed.
  • This category includes:
    • Monographs in the Carlson Health Sciences Library

• Quarter

  • Due on the tenth working day of instruction of the following quarter. Spring Quarter materials are due on the last day of instruction.
  • This category includes:
    • Materials in Shields Library and the Physical Sciences & Engineering Library, other than bound periodicals, 1-week books.
  • This is the loan period for UC graduate students and designated staff only. Refer to the renewal section for special rules that apply to this material.

• June 30

  • Due on June 30^th of each year. No renewals.
  • This category includes:
    • Materials in Shields Library and the Physical Science & Engineering Library, other than bound periodicals, 1-week books, current reading and recordings
  • This loan period is for UC faculty and designated research borrowers only.
  • Materials must be physically returned to the library annually, and then may be checked out again.

All library materials are subject to immediate recall; please read the Recall section for more information.

Renewing Library Materials

Library materials that have loan periods of 1 day, 1 week or 2 weeks, or 4 weeks and are not on hold may be renewed on the web, in person, or by telephone (during operating hours). If not renewing on the web, call the library from which the materials were checked out; refer to the library directory for contact information.

The renewal period is the same as the original loan period. The Carlson Health Sciences Library and the Blaisdell Medical Library allow a maximum of two renewals per item; other libraries may have limited renewals for some materials. Materials that cannot be renewed online or by phone must be returned to the library from which they were checked out before they can be checked out again. Materials with holds and recalls cannot be renewed.

Graduate Student with Quarterly Renewals:

Materials checked out for the quarter are due on the tenth working day of the next quarter, except for Spring Quarter when they are due the last day of finals. On the first first day of final exams, the graduate due date is changed to the next quarter's due date; if fees for the next quarter have been paid, materials may be borrowed or renewed for the next quarter as of this date. Quarterly materials may be renewed on the web or in person. Books on hold may not be renewed. Renewals must be completed no later than 7 days after the items become due. After materials have been renewed three times, they must be brought into the library for annual inspection.

Faculty and Research Borrowers:

Books due on June 30 must be brought into the library for inspection annually. They cannot be renewed by telephone or by web. Books on hold may not be renewed.

Holds and Recalls, and Searches

Holds

UC students, faculty and staff may place a hold on any material that is checked out to another borrower. Holds must be placed at circulation desks. A hold does not change the due date, but it does prevent the item from being renewed.

When the requested material is returned, the borrower will be notified by e-mail, and the item placed on the Hold Shelf for six days.

Recalls

UC students, faculty and staff may place a recall on any material that is checked out to another borrower. Recalls can be placed online using the Request feature in the Harvest Online Catalog or in person at circulation desks. A recall informs the current borrower that the item is needed immediately by another person, and that the current borrower has one week to return the item before fines and fees are assessed. Additionally, a borrower who does not return recalled material by the recall due date will have all library privileges suspended until the material is returned or the replacement bill is paid in full.

All materials are subject to immediate recall if needed by another borrower or by Reserve Services. Recall notices are sent by email (or by US mail only if the borrower has no email address). Rush recalls for Reserve Services have a 5 day recall due date.

Material must be returned by the date given on the recall notice regardless of the original due date.

The Recall Policy applies to all borrowers.

When the requested material is returned, the borrower will be notified by e-mail, and the item placed on the Hold Shelf for six days.

Non-Affiliated Borrowers

Non-affiliated borrowers may purchase a hold/recall card for $10.00 at any circulation desk; it can be used for placing up to 5 holds/recalls at library circulation desks. Recall requests cannot be placed online.

Searches

Ask for assistance at a circulation desk for any item that is listed as "Available" in the Harvest Online Catalog, but appears to be missing from the shelves. Library staff will verify the status and shelving location of the item and will initiate a search.

This service is available to UC faculty, staff, and students.

Borrowers will be notified when the item is available or when the item should be requested through interlibrary loan.

Returning Library Materials

Materials borrowed from General Library units may be returned to any UC Davis General Library unit or to campus book return bins located at various locations around campus and at the Blaisdell Medical Library in Sacramento. Reserve and recalled items should be returned to a circulation desk and not deposited in remote book bins.

Recalled items and materials from reserve collections must be returned directly to the owning library and not to a book return at another library or a remote book return bin. Materials may also be returned by mail. Refer to the library directory for library mailing addresses.

When returning material by mail, packages should be insured and sent by a mailing service that provides tracking, (e.g., Ups, FedEx). The University Library does not assume any risk for materials returned by mail or returned to another University of California location, such as UC Berkeley. Materials are not considered returned until received and checked in at a unit of the UC Davis General Library.

Overdue Materials, Library Fines, Replacement and Processing Fees

Shields Library, the Carlson Health Science Library, and the Physical Sciences & Engineering Library send out an email courtesy notice two days before library materials are due.

Overdue Notices

Overdue notices are sent by email the day after an item was due and again one week later. No paper overdue notices are sent. It is the library cardholder's responsibility to keep the library informed of their current mailing and email addresses. The libraries assume no responsibility for misdirected notices. Not receiving an overdue notice does not negate the borrower's responsibility to return items to the library on time.

Library Fines

The UC Davis libraries do not charge daily overdue fines on regularly circulating items.

Daily fines are assessed on materials that have been recalled.

Daily or hourly fines are assessed on Reserve items that are returned late.

Fees and fines for recalled and reserve materials have been intentionally set to encourage the timely return of these items, because they are in high demand. Money collected as fines or processing fees is deposited in general university accounts and is not returned to the library.

Replacement Billing And Processing Fees

Library materials not returned or renewed will be billed for replacement, plus a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee.

Replacement fees are assessed at a minimum standard replacement fee or at current list price.

Minimum Replacement Charges

Material Type	Shields Library	HSL/BML	PSE
Monographs	$50.00	$100.00	$100.00
Unbound Periodicals	$80.00	$80.00	$80.00
Bound Periodicals	$200.00	$200.00	$200.00
Other Media	Minimum $20.00	$250.00	Minimum $25.00

Although standard rates are applied at the time of initial billing, a supplementary bill may be assessed for any item when the replacement cost is determined to be more than the standard replacement fee.

Consequences of not paying library bills:

• Bills 90 days past due are referred to a collection agency.
• Students will be dropped from classes
• Holds will be placed on academic records for unpaid library bills
• Library privileges will be suspended

Recall Fines

Regular Recall Fines and Rush Recall Fines are assessed at a rate of $2.00/per day to a maximum fine of $50.00.

Overdue Regular Recalled items are billed for replacement on the first day overdue. When billed for replacement, a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee is charged in addition to the daily fines and the replacement fee.

Overdue Rush Recalled items are billed for replacement on the first day overdue. When billed for replacement, a non-refundable $20.00 processing fee is charged in addition to the daily fines and the replacement fee.

Borrowing privileges of patrons who do not return recalled materials are suspended until the materials are returned. The replacement charge will be cancelled when the item is returned, but no part of the processing fee or the accrued fine will be cancelled.

The Recall Policy Applies to All Borrowers

Reserve Fines

Reserve fines accrue at different rates, depending upon the material type and loan period. Any reserve item, not returned by the time the maximum fine is assessed, is billed for replacement.

Damaged Materials

Any item returned with damage will be billed either for repairs or for replacement. In addition to the damage/replacement charge, a $10.00 non-refundable processing fee is assessed.

Marking in materials, folding pages, and/or using self-stick labels cause damage and are prohibited.

Payment of Library Bills

Replacement bills are sent electronically to the borrower and to the Campus Cashier's Office. A printed bill is also sent by mail.

Reserve fines are transmitted automatically to the Cashier's Office; no printed bills are sent.

Instructions for payment are printed on replacement and recall bills. No bill payment is accepted in the libraries.

Materials Stored Off Campus
Northern Regional Library Facility (NRLF)

Books and bound volumes of serials stored at the NRLF can be retrieved within 2 days (excluding holidays and weekends). UC faculty, staff and students can place requests for NRLF books using the Request service in the Melvyl Catalog. Unaffiliated borrowers will need to place requests at interlibrary loan service desks.

Copies of articles and book chapters of 50 pages or less can be obtained from the NRLF within 1 day (excluding weekends and holidays). Requests can be placed using the library's Ill request forms. This service is limited to UC borrowers.

Annex (Campus Facility)

Materials stored at the Annex can be requested by any borrower. Request cards must be completed and turned to the circulation desk of the library unit owning the material. Materials in the Annex are retrieved within twenty-four hours of request.