Borrowing

Frequently Asked Questions

It is the borrowers responsibility to return items on time.

Library hours  (Circulation desk closes 15 minutes before the Library closes)

How do I checkout an item?

What if the item is not on the shelf?

How long can I keep a book?

How long can I keep a video?

What about Reserves?

How do I renew items?

What if I have an item checked out and it's recalled?

What if someone else has the item I want?

What is the fine for an overdue item?

How will I know if I have an overdue item?

Borrowing by user type

Student

Faculty

Administrators and Staff

Alumni

Other Authorized Users

How do I checkout an item?

• An Occidental College ID is required to check out library materials.
• Find the call number and location for the item using OASys, the Library’s online catalog.
• Items in the general stacks are shelved in Library of Congress call number order.
• Retrieve the item and bring it to the Circulation desk to check it out. The Circulation desk closes one half hour before the posted library closing schedule.

What if the item is not on the shelf? 

Is it checked out?  

• By using OASys, the Library’s online catalog, borrowers may request a hold and recall on any item that is checked out. 
• Search the title in the OASys catalog.  If the status box has a due date, click the REQUEST button at the top of the screen. 

• Borrowers may request the Circulation desk to place a hold and recall on an item that is checked out. 
• You will need your ID and call number or title information for the items that you want placed on hold.

• Go to the Circulation desk and ask for a search to be done on the item you can not find.
• You will need your ID and call number or title information for the item that you want searched.  At the same time we initiate the search request, the title will be placed on hold for you and you will be notified when it is found.

How long can I keep a book?

• Students (undergraduate and graduate): 21 days
• Faculty/Administrators and Staff: 120 days
• Alumni: 21 days
• Other Authorized Users: 21 days
• LINK+: 21 days
• Interlibrary Loan: 21 days from the date the item was received by the Library.

How long can I keep a video?

• Students (undergraduate and graduate): 24 hours
• Faculty 30 days
• Administrators and Staff: 3 days
• Alumni: 3 hours LIBRARY USE ONLY
• Other Authorized Users: 3 hours LIBRARY USE ONLY

What about Reserves?

How do I renew items?   

1.  You can do it yourself using OASys, the Library’s online catalog. 

• To renew materials click on SEE What You’ve Borrowed, Booked or Have On Hold.
• The next screen will ask you for 2 things: your name, and your ID number.
• Click on the button marked “Display Record for Person Named Above”.
• At the next screen, you will see a statement about the number of items you currently have checked out.  Click on it.
• Next screen offers a list of items checked out and a renew box to check.  You can check the box for specific titles and choose the RENEW SELECTED ITEMS button or choose the RENEW ALL button.
• On the next screen LOOK at the STATUS COLUMN to verify if the renewal was successful.
• Contact the Circulation desk (323 259-2640) for help with any problems.  If you are having trouble, some of the reasons may be:
            ---It is too soon to renew.  For 21 days loans, items may be renewed no  sooner than seven days before the due date. For reserve loans, items may be renewed no sooner than 1 hour before the due time, and for LINK+, items may be renewed no sooner than 3 days before the due date.
            ---The item was overdue too long and has been billed. 
            ---Another user has requested the item. 
            ---The item has reached the limit of times it can be renewed. 
                 -- 5 for a book 
                 -- 3 for a video 
                 -- 1 reserve items 
                 -- 1 2-week period for LINK+ 
                 -- 0 for Interlibrary Loan

What if I have an item checked out that has been recalled?

• Recalled items MUST be returned by the revised due date.  When a recalled item is not returned by the revised due date, the borrower’s record is blocked and the borrower is unable to check out, renew, or order LINK+ or Interlibrary Loan. Failure to return a recalled item results in the loss of borrowing privileges until the recalled item is returned.

What if someone else has the item I want?

• By using OASys, the Library’s online catalog, borrowers may request a hold and recall on any item that is checked out.
• Search a title in the OASys catalog.  If the status box has a due date, click the REQUEST button at the top of the screen.

• Borrowers may request the Circulation desk to place a hold and recall on any item that is checked out. 
• You will need your ID and call number or title information for the items that you want placed on hold.

What is the fine for an overdue item?

• You are responsible for returning items on time.
• When an item from the general stacks is 21 days overdue, you are billed for the replacement cost of the item, including a non-refundable $10.00 fine.  You will temporarily lose your borrowing privileges if 6 or more items are billed to you.
• LINK+ and Interlibrary Loan fines are $1.00 per day.  When an item is 15 days overdue, you are billed $115 for replacement costs of the item, including a non-refundable $10.00 billing fee and $15.00 in fines.
• VIDEOS: When a video is 24 hours overdue, you will be billed for the replacement cost of the video, including a non-refundable $10.00 billing fee.

How will I know if I have an overdue item?

DUE DATES

• The due date is recorded inside the back cover of the item.  LINK+ and Interlibrary Loan materials will have the due date on the borrowing strap.
• The due dates are recorded in your patron record.  You can view your patron record by accessing OASys, the Library’s online catalog.
• Click on SEE What You’ve Borrowed, Booked or Have On Hold.
• The next screen will ask you for 2 things: your name, and your ID card barcode number.
• Next click on the button marked “Display Record for Person Named Above”.

NOTICES

• Courtesy notices are computer generated and sent to your email address on the first day that a book is overdue.  A second notice will be sent four days later.  At 21 days overdue, you will receive a bill for the replacement charges and a non-refundable $10.00 fine. For LINK+ & Interlibrary Loan, a bill is generated when an item is 15 days overdue and includes fines of $1.00 day (max 15 days) and a non-refundable $10.00 billing fee. If you do not register your email address, notices will be sent by mail.  The Library does not guarantee the delivery of notices, either by mail or email.  You are responsible for returning items on time.

We welcome your Comments and Suggestions.

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