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Loan Periods

Loan periods refer to how long users can check out items.
Undergraduate students: 2 weeks
Graduate students, faculty, and staff: 3 months

All other borrowers should refer to the loan periods and borrowing details below.

Health Sciences Library

Please refer to the borrowing information on the HSL website.

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McMaster Alumni

  • 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.

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McMaster Retirees

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
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Users from other Universities / Reciprocal Borrowers

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.
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Community (General Public)

  • 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.
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High School Students

  • 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.
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Source URL: https://library.mcmaster.ca/services/borrowing-materials/sections/borrowing-materials-overview/accordion/loan-periods