Please refer to the borrowing information on the HSL website.

• Books from Mills, Innis, and Thode libraries: 2 weeks
• Limit of 20 items and 2 online renewals per item, excludes reserve materials

For Alumni access to eResources, visit Alumni Library Resources.

As a McMaster retiree, you are entitled to a variety of library services.

• Your McMaster ID card is still your library card. Lost your card?
• You can borrow items for 3 months
• You can renew books 6 times using My Library Account
• you can set up a general public PrintSmart account so that you can print or copy from the public devices in our libraries

RETIRED FACULTY: 

• you may request materials not owned by the McMaster libraries through Interlibrary Loan, through RACER
• retired faculty (emeriti) with ongoing research needs may access electronic resources licensed for use by the McMaster community, using MacID
• you may continue to participate in the Reciprocal Borrowing Program.

RETIRED STAFF:

• you may not request materials not owned by the McMaster libraries through Interlibrary Loan. Please use the ILL Services offered through your local public library.
• you may not access our electronic resources, as these have been licensed for use by the McMaster community only; we would recommend you check to see what e-resources are available through your local public library

Books from Mills, Innis, and Thode libraries: 2 weeks

ELIGIBILITY

• Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students and Undergraduates registered at a university in Ontario (OCUL members)
• Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students registered at a university in Quebec (CREPUQ members)
• Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students, Undergraduates registered at universities in the Atlantic provinces (CAUL/CBUA members) or the Western provinces (COPPUL members)
• Faculty registered with North American members of OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program
• Retired faculty from other Canadian universities who have library privileges at their home university library
• Students of the Canadian Reformed Seminary, Hamilton, ON
• Consult the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement for additional information.

APPLICATION

• A current University ID card must be presented at the Library Services Desk in any library, together with identification showing a current address. After an application form has been completed, a temporary McMaster University Library Card expiring the following September 15 will be issued.
• A replacement charge is imposed for lost or damaged cards.
• Application for renewal of borrowing privileges can be made beginning in September. The old card should be presented together with a current University ID card.

BORROWING POLICY

• Up to 20 books may be borrowed from the circulating collections for two-week periods. Limit of 10 recalls can be placed.
• Any book may be renewed unless it has been requested by another user (limit of 2 renewals per book).

RETURNING BOOKS

• Books may be returned to MIlls, Innis or Thode Library, or at any participating OCUL Library. McMaster books may not be returned to libraries in other provinces.

EXCLUSIONS

• Non-circulating materials (for use in the library only) include: reference works, periodicals, rare books, sound recordings, some government publications, cartographic material, computer-assisted instructional software and audiovisual material.
• Reserve material may not be borrowed
• Interlending privileges are not available
• No access to licensed e-resources

OTHER SERVICES

• Reciprocal borrowers may use the public access computers in the Health Sciences Library. A login is not required other than for use of production software.
• Reciprocal borrowers can apply for a temporary Guest Internet Account at Mills, Innis or Thode libraries to use the public computers in those libraries. A temporary Guest Internet Account CANNOT be used to access the internet on a personal laptop. This account can be used only in these libraries and will expire at library closing on the day of issue. Some e-resource restrictions apply - see Electronic Products Which Do NOT Permit Walk-in Users.

PHOTOCOPYING

• Printer / Photocopiers are available in all libraries at McMaster. A Printsmart account is required for printing or copying. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Borrowers are responsible for the safe and timely return or replacement of materials borrowed, and for any fines or charges incurred for overdue, lost or damaged books.
• The non-receipt of library notices by a borrower does not relieve the borrower from fines or suspension of privileges.

SANCTIONS

• Library privileges will be withdrawn from any student, faculty or staff member who abuses the system.

• Books from Mills, Innis, and Thode libraries: 2 weeks
• Limit of 20 items and 2 online renewals per item, excludes reserve materials

ELIGIBILITY

• Community Cards are issued to individuals who live or work in Hamilton.  
• There is no fee for this card.

APPLICATION

• Application forms are available at Innis, Mills or Thode Library Services Desk. 
• Identification showing a current address is required.
• You will also be asked to provide a secondary contact address, which will only be used if we are repeatedly unable to reach you at your primary contact address, especially in the case of overdue notifications, etc

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Community cardholders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Library Regulations
• Misuse of the library card or failure to respond to notices will result in the withdrawal of borrowing privileges.
• Cards may be used only by the holder and are not transferable.

LOAN PERIOD / BORROWING LIMITATIONS

• Community Borrowers may check out circulating materials for a two week period.
• Up to 20 books may be on loan at one time.
• Reserve materials may not be borrowed.
• Any book may be renewed unless it has been requested by another user (limit of 2 renewals per book ).
• Limit of 10 recalls can be placed.

RENEWAL OF CARD

• All cards expire annually.
• Cards can be renewed provided that no materials are overdue and any outstanding charges are paid.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS / LOST CARD

• It is the responsibility of library patrons to keep the library informed of their current address.
• The non-receipt of library notices by a borrower does not relieve the borrower from fines, book replacement charges, or suspension of privileges.
• The library must be notified when the card is lost or stolen.

SERVICES AVAILABLE

• Community cardholders may use all the services provided by the Library, with the exception of Interlibrary Loan Services and off-campus access to our licensed e-resources.
• Access to our library catalogue is free to all users.
• To access e-resources on-campus, as a walk-in user, you will need a Temporary Guest Internet account; please note some e-resources do not permit access by walk-in users
• Community borrowers should direct interlibrary loan requests to their public library or any other library with which they are affiliated.

• Books from Mills, Innis, and Thode libraries: 2 weeks
• Limit of 20 items and 2 online renewals per item, excludes reserve materials

ELIGIBILITY

• Current local High School students.  There is no fee for this card.

APPLICATION

• Application forms are available at any Innis, Mills or Thode Library Services Desk. 
• High School student identification is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• High School Borrower cardholders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Library Regulations
• Misuse of the library card or failure to respond to notices will result in the withdrawal of borrowing privileges.
• Cards may be used only by the holder and are not transferable.

LOAN PERIOD / BORROWING LIMITATIONS

• High School Borrowers may check out circulating materials for a two week period.
• Up to 20 books may be on loan at one time.
• Reserve materials may not be borrowed.
• Any book may be renewed unless it has been requested by another user (limit of 2 renewals per book ).
• Limit of 10 recalls can be placed.

RENEWAL OF CARD

• All cards expire annually.
• Cards can be renewed provided that no materials are overdue and any outstanding charges are paid.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS / LOST CARD

• It is the responsibility of library patrons to keep the library informed of their high school. 
• The non-receipt of library notices by a borrower does not relieve the borrower from fines, book replacement charges, or suspension of privileges.
• The library must be notified when the card is lost or stolen.

SERVICES AVAILABLE

• High School Borrower cardholders may use all the services provided by the Library, with the exception of Interlibrary Loan Services and off-campus access to our licensed e-resources.
• Access to our library catalogue is free to all users.
• To access e-resources on-campus, as a walk-in user, you will need a Temporary Guest Internet account; please note some e-resources do not permit access by walk-in users.