TexShare Library Lending Policies

University of Texas Libraries
University of Texas at Austin
TexShare Library Card Program

LIAISON: 

Suzanne K. McAnna, Head Librarian, Circulation Services Department 
University of Texas Libraries  
University of Texas at Austin 
P.O. Box P 
Austin, TX 78713-8916
mcanna@mail.utexas.edu

PHONE: (512) 495-4303
FAX: (512) 495-4296
URL: http://www.lib.utexas.edu
E-Mail: cbdesk@lib.utexas.edu

RESTRICTIONS/LIMITATIONS: University of Texas Libraries checkout privileges are granted to TexShare card holders 18 and older. Privileges do not include access to Inter-Library Service or to electronic resources restricted by licensing agreements. The Perry Castaneda Library is restricted to UT Austin students, faculty and staff between the hours of 10pm and 7am.

Privileges are suspended for non-return of recalls by due date and may be suspended for failure to pay billed charges. Failure to follow library and University policies on use of library workstations (see http://www.lib.utexas.edu/vprovost/policies/computer-use-policy.html) may be cause for suspension of electronic access or revocation of checkout privileges.

ELIGIBILITY: Both initial application for library privileges, and renewal of library privileges previously granted under TexShare or other lending agreements, must be made in person. Application and renewal are not accepted by mail, e-mail, or phone.

Bring TexShare library card and photo ID, during Courtesy Borrower Desk open hours, to the Courtesy Borrower Desk in the Circulation Services Department, Perry-Castaneda Library, 2.122. A University of Texas Libraries Courtesy or Special Borrower Card will be issued for use in all University of Texas Libraries checkout transactions. The TexShare Library Card cannot be used by itself to check out the Libraries’ material.

Borrowers obtain a University of Texas Electronic ID (EID) which, when authorized by library staff, may be used to log on to library workstations for access to most library electronic resources. The access is valid for as long as the card is valid unless revoked as a result of violation of computer use policy. Courtesy and Special borrowers do not have access to electronic resources from outside the library or from home, nor do they have access to the University wireless network.

Students and public library patrons, who are considered Library Courtesy Borrowers, are restricted to one 60-minute session at a UT Libraries workstation per day. If a Courtesy Borrower is conducting research requiring more than one 60-minute session per day, he or she should discuss research needs with a librarian to determine if more extended access may be provided.

Faculty and staff of participating TexShare Card Program institutions, who are considered Library Special Borrowers, are not subject to daily access restrictions.

Courtesy Borrower Cards for public borrowers are made or renewed at any time the Courtesy Borrower Desk is open (See CARD AVAILABILITY below). Public borrower cards are valid for a period not to exceed the expiration date on the TexShare Card, or one year, whichever is shorter.

Courtesy Borrower Cards for student borrowers are made or renewed for each semester beginning two weeks before the first day of UT Austin classes for that semester. Student borrower cards are valid for a period not to exceed the expiration date on the TexShare Card and not to exceed January 22, June 10 or September 8 of the appropriate semester.

Special Borrower Cards for faculty and staff borrowers are made or renewed for the next fiscal year beginning August 15. Faculty and staff borrower cards are valid for a period not to exceed the expiration date on the TexShare Card, and not to exceed the next August 31.

CARD AVAILIBILITY: Cards are issued when the Courtesy Borrower Services Desk is open. See Library Hours for Perry-Castaneda Library Courtesy Borrower Services, http://www.lib.utexas.edu/about/hours/, or call 512-495-4305, or e-mail cbdesk@lib.utexas.edu.

HOURS:   Library Services: See University of Texas Libraries Hours http://www.lib.utexas.edu/about/hours/. Please note that library and service hours are shorter during holiday and intersession periods.  

RENEWAL OF MATERIALS:  Renewal is available in person or online through the University of Texas Libraries catalog (http://catalog.lib.utexas.edu) for items not requested by another borrower. Borrowers are encouraged to take advantage of the online renewal option, which offers more convenience than renewing items in person. However, borrowers are responsible for anticipating that online renewal may be inaccessible. For example, computer downtime or telecommunications problems which prevent the use of online renewal do not relieve borrowers of responsibility to renew library materials on time at a circulation desk to avoid overdue charges.

RETURNS:  Borrowers are responsible for returning materials by the date/time due, no later than the time that the circulation desk closes on the due date. The responsibility ends when the materials are checked in at an appropriate location. Restrictions are posted at book returns. Return receipts are issued upon request for items returned in person. Most circulation and reserve desks close 15 minutes before the library closes. Materials returned after the desk closes may not be checked in until the next day the library is open. Borrowers are encouraged to return items in person. Materials may NOT be returned through interlibrary loan. Materials may be returned by mail, or at participating libraries through the TExpress courier service. Use of the TExpress courier services is offered as a courtesy. Borrowers returning materials by any form of mail or by the courier service should understand that they use this method of return at their own risk, and that they remain responsible for the materials until they are checked in at the owning library.

MAIL RETURN:
Circulation Services Department
University of Texas Libraries
The University of Texas at Austin
P.O. Box P
Austin, TX 78713-8916

EXPRESS MAIL:
PCL Circulation Services
University of Texas Libraries
21st & Speedway
First Floor Dock
Austin, TX 78705

OVERDUES: The Library is not responsible for notifying borrowers that materials are overdue, but as a courtesy does send by e-mail reminders and overdue notices. Due dates are shown on date due slips, and appear on recall notices. Borrowers may check the due dates of their materials online by using their UT EIDs to logon on to My Account in the Library Catalog (http://catalog.lib.utexas.edu).

RECALLS:  All items are subject to recall. Borrowers are notified by e-mail when an item has been recalled for another borrower. If an item is recalled, the recall due date on the recall notice replaces the original due date. Fine rates are higher for recalled items. A recalled item is due before the circulation desk closes on the recall due date.

NON-CIRCULATING ITEMS: Reference material, recent periodicals, some microforms and reserve items.

LOANS:
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BORROWERS: Loan: Four weeks for general collection
FACULTY AND STAFF BORROWERS: Loan: Semester for general collection
Items in special or limited loan collections circulate to all borrowers for shorter loan periods.

FINES:
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BORROWERS:
2-Hour , 24-Hour, and Library Use Materials: $3.00 per hour or fraction of hour, per item
3-Day Materials: $6.00 per day or fraction of a day, per item
14- or 28-Day Materials: $0.60 per day or fraction of a day, per item
Recalled Materials: $1.00 per day or fraction of a day, per item
Maximum Fine per Item:
Short Loan Materials - $36.00; Recalled Materials - $35.00; Regular loan Materials - $21
Replacement cost of item, a processing fee and a non-refundable billing service fee are charged for each non-returned item.
FACULTY AND STAFF BORROWERS:
Charges: Replacement cost of item and a non-refundable billing service fee are charged for each non-returned item.
A $25 Repair/Rebind fee is charged all borrowers when items are returned damaged.

LOST ITEMS: When items are declared by the borrower to be lost, borrowers are billed for a processing fee, a billing service fee and the cost of the item. If lost items are returned, the charges will be reduced to the greater of the billing service fee or overdue fine, where applicable . Items are billed as overdue if they have not been renewed or returned within a specified period of time after the due date. The same billing structure applies as with items declared lost.

BILLING:  
Borrowers receive statements of library charges or bills by e-mail. If there is no e-mail address in the borrower’s record, the bill is sent by postal mail. Failure to receive the statement of charges or bill does not excuse the borrower from paying the bill. Library charges are transferred by batch processing to the University’s Office of Accounting and are not payable until the next weekday after they have been assessed.
Borrowers may pay bills
• online with a credit card at What I owe (https://utdirect.utexas.edu/acct/rec/wio/wio_home.WBX)
• by mail to, or in person at the Office of Accounting-Cashiers.
Courtesy borrowers may also pay library bills directly to or at the library. For more detail see http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/borrower/paying.html. Partial payment is accepted, but the entire amount must be paid in order to clear the bill. Charges must be paid in full before a library card can be renewed.

ADDITIONAL: For additional information on circulation policies and procedures, please consult the University of Texas Libraries Lending and Use Code, http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/borrower/code.html