BORROWING POLICY: FACULTY AND STAFF

Please note:  All materials are subject to recall if needed for course reserve.

Circulation Policies for Musselman Library, OPAL, and OhioLINK

Managing your library account. For convenience in keeping track of due dates or to renew items, use the Check your Library Account function online (see under Links for Faculty at the library website) or "my account" from the top menu bar when searching the catalog.

Notices. Overdue notices are a courtesy reminder but should not be relied on as indicators to renew or return library materials. Faculty and staff receive 3 overdue notices, after which the system automatically declares the item lost and generates a bill. Faculty and staff are not charged fines for overdue Musselman Library items, but fines will be assessed for overdue OPAL and OhioLINK items according to the table above.

Renewals. Renewals allow extension of the due date, provided no other patron is waiting for the item. You may renew materials at "my account" online, in person when you come to the library, or by calling the Circulation Desk (419-358-3262). See chart above for number of renewals.

Proxies. Faculty or staff may designate proxies (usually student or staff assistants) to check out library materials on their behalf by registering with the library. The Circulation Manger sends an email about proxy borrowers before the Fall and Spring semesters, and the service can be set-up at any time. The proxy must present his/her own ID card (not that of the faculty or staff person) in order for any transaction to proceed.

Course reserves. Information on course reserves is provided at the Course Reserves link from the library website. Reserve items may include Bluffton library materials, personal copies, or photocopies prepared by the instructor, but not materials from other libraries (as with OPAL or OhioLINK). Items not held by the library but needed for course reserve can be recommended for purchase: acquisitions@bluffton.edu or call x3396.

Borrowing limits. Faculty & staff may have as many as 100 active holds/requests on their records at any one time. While full-time faculty are entitled to as many as 200 items checked out at any given time, and adjunct faculty as many as 100 items, the library asks for return of materials not being used so as to have these resources available to other members of the campus community and the OPAL & OhioLINK consortia.

For Bluffton materials:

Charges. The maximum charge for lost Bluffton books and videos is $85.00 (replacement charge, $75.00 or cost of the item, whichever is less; and processing charge, $10.00). If the Bluffton item is returned within a reasonable time after it is declared lost but before the library purchases a replacement, the charges are forgiven. Faculty and staff are not charged fines for overdue Musselman Library items.

For OPAL and OhioLINK materials:

Charges. The maximum charge for lost OPAL and OhioLINK materials is $125 (replacement charge, $75.00; billing fee, $50.00). If the item is returned after it is declared lost, the replacement charge is forgiven but the $50.00 billing fee (accumulated fines and processing charge) must be paid. Fines are assessed for OPAL and OhioLINK items according to the table above.

Please direct questions about Musselman Library borrowing policies to Karyl Crawford, Circulation Manager: by email to crawfordk@bluffton.edu, by phone to 419.358.3271, or in person at the Circulation Desk.