The standard loan period for circulating materials for students, alumni, and guest patrons is four weeks (28 days). The faculty and staff loan period is one semester. Items checked out from the DVD and Blu-ray collection have a seven-day loan period, regardless of patron type. Reference books and periodicals must be used in the library and are not eligible for borrowing.
If materials are needed for longer than the normal borrowing period, they may be renewed in-person at Miller Library or online through the Miller Library website. In unusual circumstances, materials may be renewed over the phone with user verification.
A hold enables a borrower to reserve the next use of an item that is currently in circulation. If several patrons place a hold on the same item, a queue, by request date, will be used to distribute the item fairly. A patron will be notified via email of the item's availability when it is ready.
Except for reserve items, all other borrowed materials are subject to recall if another patron places a hold on the item. A patron will be notified via email of the item’s new due date after a Recall is issued.
Borrowers are responsible for returning all materials checked out in their name on time and in good condition. Borrowers will be liable for replacement costs, including a processing fee and billing fee for materials lost or damaged while materials are checked out to them.
A courtesy reminder will be sent to the email address in the patron record three days prior to an item's due date.
Items that are not returned by their due date are considered overdue. An overdue notice will be emailed to the patron three days after the item is due. If the item is not returned within 14 days of the due date, the patron will be billed $75 for the item. This includes a $40 default cost for the item and a $35 processing and billing fee. The patron’s borrowing privileges are suspended at this time. If the material is later returned, the charges will be removed, excepting a $5 billing fee per item. Unpaid fines can result in blocking of registration, diploma, transcripts, and borrowing privileges.
Faculty members with lost items will be charged a $40 default cost for any item.
Blocks are placed on a borrower's record to suspend library privileges until materials are returned and/or financial obligations are cleared. Patrons with faculty privileges are not assessed fines, but they are responsible for replacement costs. Long overdue materials will result in an account block, as will non-compliance with recall notices.
Students who owe the library money for either fines or lost/damaged books are subject to a registration block for the next semester or the holding of their diploma and transcripts until the balance owed is reconciled with the library.
In accordance with the Library Bill of Rights, Miller Library will protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and materials consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.