BORROWING POLICY: UNDERGRADUATE, BCOMP, AND GRADUATE STUDENTS

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

Circulation Policies for Musselman Library, OPAL, and OhioLINK

For all materials:

General policy. All Bluffton borrowers are responsible for returning items by the due date, and for paying any overdue fines and replacement charges. To check out materials from the library, you need to have your Bluffton ID card with you when you come to the Circulation Desk.

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 Students at the library website) or "my account" from the top menu bar when searching the catalog.

Notices. Students receive 3 overdue notices, after which the system automatically declares the item lost and generates a bill. Overdue notices are a courtesy reminder but should not be relied on as indicators to renew or return library materials. Each borrower is responsible for knowing due dates, either by checking online or consulting at the Circulation Desk.

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.

Suspension of Borrowing Privileges. Borrowing privileges for Bluffton, OPAL, OhioLINK, and Interlibrary Loan are suspended whenever fines total $15.00, or when a bill of replacement has been sent. Exception: borrowing is not blocked for Course Reserves; these materials are available to you even if you have charges on your account.

Making Payments. When overdue items are returned or lost items charged, payment should be made at the Circulation Desk - cash or checks accepted (checks payable to Bluffton University). To make arrangements for other means of payment (including to a credit card or to your account at the Business Office) or with any questions about fines or charges, please contact Karyl Crawford, Circulation Manager (in the Circulation Office or 419-358-3271).

Borrowing limits. Undergraduate and BCOMP students are entitled to 25 outstanding holds/requests and a total of 50 items checked out at any one time. For Graduate students, there may be 100 outstanding holds/requests and a total of 100 items checked out at any one time.

For Bluffton materials:

Charges. The maximum charge for lost Bluffton books and videos is $100.00 (accumulated fines, $15.00; replacement charge, $75.00 or cost of the item, whichever is less; and processing charge, $10.00). If the Bluffton item is returned after it is declared lost, but before a replacement has been purchased, the charges are forgiven, except for the accumulated fines.

Course Reserves. Fines for reserve items are higher than for other Bluffton materials: $.50/hour for 2 hour materials; $.50/day for 3- or 7-day reserve. See above for the loan periods and fines chart by material type.

Placing Holds. To place a hold on a Bluffton item, use the Request button from the catalog record display. If not checked out to another patron, the request will be processed and the item can be picked up at the Circulation Desk. If the item is checked out to another patron, the Hold request will block any request to renew, and you will be notified as soon as available.

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.