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.
Please refer to the borrowing information on the HSL website.
- Books from Mills and Thode libraries: 2 weeks
- Limit of 20 items and 2 online renewals per item, excludes reserve materials
Visit Alumni Library Resources for more information, including instructions for accessing eResources.
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
- you may request materials not owned by the McMaster libraries through Interlibrary Loan, through RACER
- retired faculty 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.
- you may not borrow any media-related equipment from Lyons New Media Centre or use its bookable rooms
- 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
- you may not borrow any media-related equipment from Lyons New Media Centre or use its bookable rooms
Books from Mills 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- Books may be returned to MIlls and Thode Library, or at any participating OCUL Library. McMaster books may not be returned to libraries in other provinces.
- 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
- You may not borrow any media-related equipment from Lyons New Media Centre or use its bookable rooms
- 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 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.
- Printer / Photocopiers are available in all libraries at McMaster. A Printsmart account is required for printing or copying.
- 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.
- Library privileges will be withdrawn from any student, faculty or staff member who abuses the system.
- Books from Mills 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 the Mills or Thode Library Services Desks.
- 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.
- You may not borrow any media-related equipment from Lyons New Media Centre or use its bookable rooms
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 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 the Mills or Thode Library Services Desks.
- 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.
- You may not borrow any media-related equipment from Lyons New Media Centre or use its bookable rooms
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.