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You are here: American University University Library Services Borrowing
Borrowing from AU
Eligible AU and Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) students, staff, and faculty have privileges to borrow from all of the main libraries participating in the WRLC (see list), as well as from the WRLC Shared Collections Facility. In order to borrow, you must have an active library account at your home institution's library, your university ID card with you, and be one of the following:
- An undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled in a degree program
- A current faculty member or full time staff member
Typically, the law and medical libraries do not lend to WRLC users, and some law and medical students are not eligible to borrow in the consortium outside of their home institution. Washington College of Law students and faculty may borrow from the consortium. Individuals in other categories should consult their home library before visiting the AU Library.
Access and borrowing privileges are not transferable, which means that you may not use another individual's ID to borrow a book or use their login information to access e-resources. Remote access to e-resources held by AU Library are limited to current AU students, staff, and faculty; other individuals may view these resources onsite at Bender Library.
Loan Policies
Loan periods for normal circulating materials: (Note: Loan periods may be shortened when items are recalled.)
- AU students,full-time AU staff: 6 weeks (42 days)
- AU faculty: From 6 weeks to 4 months, utilizing three fixed due dates per year (January 31, May 31, September 30); renewal is available 6 weeks prior to the due date.
- Alumni & Friends of AU Library Borrowers: 4 weeks on AU items (WRLC-wide borrowing privileges are not available)
- Wesley Theological Seminary students and faculty, members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at AU, & faculty participating in OCLC's Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program: 4 weeks on AU items
There is no limit to the number of books that AU and WRLC students, staff, and faculty may borrow. All other borrowers may check out up to twenty five (25) books at any one time. For more detailed borrowing policies, please refer to the Library Table of Privileges.
Renewals
Books from the general collections of the main WRLC libraries may be renewed online through your . Please note that the following instructions do not apply to non-general collection items - DVDs, music, course reserves, games, equipment, etc.
Renewal Instructions
Note: Items borrowed through the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) andinterlibrary loan are listed separately. If you are having problems renewing, it may be for one of the following reasons:
- You have reached the Maximum Renewal Period.
- A recall has been placed on one of the books.
- You have $25.00 or more in library fines that you will need to pay off at any consortium library before you will be permitted to borrow further.
- Your library account has expired.
Book Returns
Books can be returned to the staff at the Circulation and Course Reserves Desk when open or to the 24/7 drop located at the main entrance of Bender Library. AU Library books may also be returned to any main WRLC library.
Overdue and Lost Fine & Fee Policies
Borrowers are responsible for any overdue fines and fees resulting from items returned late and/or lost items. A borrower assumes financial responsibility for borrowed items until they are returned. Fines per item must be paid in full; partial payment is not accepted. Payments of fines and fees may be made at the Circulation & Course Reserves Desk. Credit (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), Apple Pay, and EagleBuck$ are accepted. Please email circulation@american.edu for information about other credit card payment options such as online payment.
Community Impact Model: Centering Our Community
AU Library provides equitable access to a wide range of scholarly materials and technology to promote a thriving campus community. Our collections are a cultural heritage shared by and accessible to all, and we strive to balance the competing needs of our community with our responsibility to provide access to everyone.
When high use materials are not returned on time, other AU users are disadvantaged. This has a direct negative impact on university research, instruction, and learning. Overdue fines and blocks on library accounts are in place to ensure that everyone has equal access to library materials by encouraging regular and predictable returns.
The Discovery, Access, and Assessment team commits itself to applying these policies in a fair and transparent manner and to reviewing them every five years to ensure they align with our mission and values.
- AU Library Community Impact Model Statement of Purpose, 2024
What is the Community Impact Fee? How does it work?
- When an overdue item is marked as Lost, a flat non-refundable community impact fee of $25.00 is applied to the borrower’s account.
- If an overdue item is returned before becoming Lost, no fee is charged.
- Once a community impact fee is applied, it will remain on a borrower’s account until paid, even if the item is later returned.
Why did we introduce a new fee model?
Implemented in Fall 2024 after a year-long planning process, the Community Impact Model has three main goals:
- Simplify our fee and fine structure for greater consistency and ease of use.
- Increase transparency around policies for handling overdue and lost items.
- Ensure equitable access to collection materials for all AU community members by encouraging regular and predictable returns, especially of high-use materials.
How can I find out more?
- To view your checked-out items and their due dates, sign in to “My Library Account” on the library’s website
- If you have any questions or concerns about the Community Impact Model in general or about your account specifically, please contact the Circulation & Course Reserves team by emailing circulation@american.edu
Lost or Damaged Items and Lost Fees
A book on regular loan will be considered "lost" after being overdue for 30 days. An $80.00 item replacement fee and a $30.00 processing fee ($110.00 total) will be added to your account per lost item. The item replacement and processing fee will be forgiven if you return the AU book. Lost consortium items will need to be handled through their home library. If an AU book is truly lost, a replacement copy may be provided. Please see the AU Library Book Replacement Policy.
| Item type: | Loan length: | Marked Lost & fee applied: |
|---|---|---|
| A/V equipment | End of day for due date specified at time of loan | End of day seven (7) days after the item becomes overdue |
| Board games | End of day seven (7) days from date of checkout | End of day fourteen (14) days after the item becomes overdue |
| Chromebooks & adjunct laptops | End of day for due date specified at time of loan | End of day seven (7) days after the item becomes overdue |
| Course Reserves | 24 hours from time of checkout (or Circ Desk closing time the next day, if earlier than 24 hours) | End of the next day after the day on which the item becomes overdue |
| Locker keys | End of day for due date specified at time of loan | End of day fourteen (14) days after the item becomes overdue |
| Music Library items | Varies by item type; due date specified at time of loan | Varies by item type |
| Peripheral tech, calculators, adapters, etc. | End of day four (4) days from date of checkout | End of day seven (7) days after the item becomes overdue |
| Recalled items | End of day five (5) days from date of recall | End of day five (5) days after the item becomes overdue |
| Videos | Varies by item type/user group; due date specified at time of loan. | End of day fourteen (14) days after the item becomes overdue |
Blocks on Borrowing
Borrowing is blocked if fines/fees reach $50.00. If you have long overdue materials or have excessive fines, your library account may be blocked from further use. You may also have a stop placed on your University-wide (Student) Account. The library reserves the right to deny borrowing privileges to anyone based upon just cause.
Faculty Proxy
A faculty proxy enables faculty to authorize their research/teaching assistants to conduct research and borrow items in their name at the AU Library. All material checked out by a proxy is charged to the faculty member's account, placing the responsibility for the materials, including fines accrued, with the faculty member. Proxies must be currently enrolled AU students, staff or faculty.
Faculty members may authorize a proxy by completing a .
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