Libraries

Circulation

 

The circulation policies outline the privileges and responsibilities of all who borrow materials from the University of Missouri - St. Louis Libraries. Among our highest priorities is to enable seamless access to an integrated collection of materials that support the University’s teaching and research missions.

If you have any questions, please contact us at (314) 516-5399.

Required Identification

To check out materials, bring the materials and your identification card to the circulation desks. For check out procedures the appropriate ID cards are required:

  • University of Missouri - St. Louis - University of Missouri - St. Louis faculty, staff, and students need to present a valid University of Missouri - St. Louis ID card
  • St. Louis Mercantile Library - Members of the St. Louis Mercantile Library need a Guest Borrower card which is provided at the Thomas Jefferson Library circulation desk
  • Guest Borrowers - Community members need a Guest Borrower card purchased at Thomas Jefferson or Ward E. Barnes Library circulation desks
  • Alumni Members - Former University of Missouri - St. Louis students who have joined the University of Missouri - St. Louis Alumni Association need a Guest Borrower card provided at Thomas Jefferson or Ward E. Barnes Library circulation desks, in addition to their alumni card

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Loan Periods

Loan periods and borrowing privileges vary according to the user's status and the lending library's policies. All materials are checked out by presenting the appropriate ID card. Checking out materials from the library implies that the user will abide by the library's rules by returning the materials in good order and by the due dates. Failure to meet either condition may result in fines and/or the loss of privileges.

This table displays the guidelines for loan periods:

Status UMSL Book MERLIN MOBIUS Course Reserves Interlibrary Loan
Faculty 120 days Vary 21 days Vary Vary
Staff 120 days Vary 21 days Vary Vary
Graduate Students 120 days Vary 21 days Vary Vary
Undergraduate Students 21 days Vary 21 days Vary Vary
Guest Borrowers 21 days Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available

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Billing

There is a seven day grace period for overdue University of Missouri-St. Louis library books and government documents. After this grace period, an overdue reminder will be sent to patrons. A billing notice is sent to library patrons when an item is 14 days overdue. The bill includes a $120.00 replacement charge and a $10.00 processing fee. After 180 days, the charge is sent to the campus cashier's office. All further charges will be sent from and paid to the cashier's office. The University of Missouri-St. Louis Libraries do not guarantee the receipt of billing notices sent via the mail or email.
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Renewals

The check out period for books and government documents owned by University of Missouri - St. Louis Libraries is 21 days for undergraduate students and 120 days for faculty and graduate students. Journals, newspapers, and microforms may NOT be checked out. You may renew in person, by phone at (314) 516-5057, or via the library catalog's "My Library Account" option. Restrictions may apply to patron privileges. Ask for information at any library service desk.

Materials may be denied renewal for one or more of the following reasons:

  • Materials were checked out with special permission
  • Materials are being recalled by another borrower
  • Materials were obtained through interlibrary loan
  • Borrower has library fees, expired registration, or otherwise currently suspended borrowing privileges
  • Too many renewals (allowed three renewals for UMSL material)
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Patron Groups

University of Missouri-St. Louis Community:

  • University of Missouri-St. Louis Community: University of Missouri - St. Louis faculty, staff, and students fall under this category. The University ID is the library card. Privileges include checking out books and government documents from the general collection of the University of Missouri - St. Louis Libraries, access to in-house and remotely accessible electronic databases, reference services, interlibrary loan services, MERLIN/MOBIUS consortium, and use of the Library Research Commons. Other restrictions may apply.

Guest Borrowers:

  • Alumni Members: Alumni members of the University of Missouri - St. Louis Alumni Association may be issued a Guest Borrower card free of charge. The card expires one year from the date of issue. Privileges are limited to checking out books and government documents from the general collection of the University of Missouri - St. Louis Libraries and access to unrestricted in-house electronic databases. Alumni Association guest borrowers may have a maximum of four books checked out at any given time. Interlibrary loan services are not included in alumni card privileges. Other restrictions may apply.
  • Guest Borrowers: All applicants must be residents of Missouri. The fee for the card is $35.00. The card expires one year from the date of issue. Privileges are limited to checking out books and in-house electronic databases. Guest Borrower card holders may have a maximum of four books checked out at any given time. Interlibrary loan services are not included in Guest Borrower card privileges. Other restrictions may apply. 
  • St. Louis Mercantile Library Members: Members of the St. Louis Mercantile Library may be issued a Guest Borrower card free of charge. It expires on the same date as their Mercantile Library membership. Privileges are limited to checking out up to ten books and government documents from the general collection of the University of Missouri - St. Louis Libraries, access to unrestricted in-house electronic databases, access to on-line database searches, reference services, and interlibrary loan services (at cost). Other restrictions may apply.
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