UNF Library | Departments | Access Services Department

ACCESS SERVICES DEPARTMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Main Circulation Desk is located on the 1st floor of the Thomas G. Carpenter Library directly across from the library entrance. This is where library users may check out and return books, course reserve materials, activate library privileges, request and pick-up ILL materials, appeal library bills and fines, and receive information and direction in achieving access to varied library materials and services.

The Access Services Department administers the circulation of library materials, media resources, course reserves, stack maintenance, interlibrary loan, and accounts receivable. In addition to specific areas of responsibility, Access Services Department staff is responsible for opening and closing the building, and monitoring adherence to house rules and the general safety and security of the building and collections.

Access Services Department staff is available at all times that the building is open.

BOOK DROPS

24 hour book drops are located by the front door and adjacent to Bldg 2 under the walkway. Do NOT use book drops to return interlibrary loan, fragile, or media materials.

CHECKING OUT LIBRARY MATERIALS

A Library Card is required to charge out library materials. University Policy requires that all current students, faculty, and staff use their Osprey 1Card. Non-affiliates should use their library card. All circulating materials may be charged out at the main circulation desk located on the 1st floor.

Maximum Borrowing limits (currently on loan):
UNF undergraduates and staff, 100 items
UNF graduate students and faculty, 250 items
Non-UNF borrowers, 10 items

Media materials limits, apply to ALL UNF borrowers: 40 items

DUE DATES

Library materials are to be returned or renewed by the due date to avoid overdue fines and charges. Courtesy notices for items which will be due are sent only by email. An overdue notice is generally sent to the borrower one week after the due date. An invoice for overdue fines and the cost of the item is sent after an item is overdue 20 days. Overdue and courtesy notices are sent by the library as a courtesy so that the patron may avoid replacement costs. However, the lack of an overdue notice does not excuse the borrower from his/her obligation.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR BORROWING PRIVILEGES (Overview)

While all adult citizens of Florida, (as well as out-of-state visitors) are welcome to use the UNF Library and its resources within the library facilities, borrowing privileges are reserved for the University's primary clientele. Special privileges are listed below.

UNF affiliates are the primary clientele of the Carpenter Library. These include currently enrolled students and currently employed faculty and staff of the University of North Florida.
Florida public university and public community college students, faculty and staff may borrow library materials. Borrowers must be in good standing at their home library. A social security number and current valid photo ID are required.
Private or out of state university or college students and faculty may pay a yearly fee of $50.00. A social security number and current, valid photo identification are required.
UNF alumni (graduates) may pay a special annual fee of $35.00 for a library card. A social security number and valid photo identification are required.
Special Borrowers may include local educators, business people, and other professionals, researchers, scholars, retired academics, etc. A home or business address within the UNF service area; a letter of petition for borrowing privileges ( on business letterhead, where appropriate); a social security number and valid photo identification; a completed borrowing privilege application; and an annual fee of $50.00 are required. Contact the Access Services Desk staff for further information.

RETURNING LIBRARY MATERIALS

All library materials may be returned to the main circulation desk located on the 1st floor of the library. Credit for the return of library items is given when the item is discharged through the automated library circulation system. Borrowers may receive a printed receipt for returned items upon request at the circulation desk at the time of the return. In addition, library users may return most library materials to the outside book drop at any time.

LIBRARY CARDS

For current UNF students, faculty, and staff, your Osprey 1Card is also your library borrowing card. This card is issued by the ID Card Office (Founders' Hall, Rm. 1600), and must be presented by all UNF faculty, staff and students to check out library materials at the Thomas G. Carpenter Library and to use the licensed databases from off campus.

Visiting faculty, adjunct faculty, contracted employees, special borrowers and others who may not qualify for the Osprey 1Card, may be issued a UNF Library Card, if they meet the library's eligibility requirements for borrowing privileges. The special library card privilege does not include off-campus access to databases or use of interlibrary loan services.

Protect your Osprey 1Card number and/or library card number. These cards are not transferable (don't lend it to anyone else to use). The person to whom the card was issued is responsible for any and all materials charged to the assigned account number. Lost cards must be reported to the Access Services Department immediately in order to prevent unauthorized use of your account number to access library materials and services.

LOAN PERIODS

Most circulating materials from the general collection are loaned as follows:

UNF Faculty -- 18 weeks
UNF Staff -- 3 weeks
UNF Undergraduate Students-- 3 weeks
UNF Graduate Students -- 5 weeks
SUS Faculty and students -- 3 weeks
Special Borrowers -- 2 weeks
One year (365 days) maximum checkout period. (Some items have additonal restrictions).

OVERDUE FINES

The UNF Board of Trustees sets the fine schedule which applies to ALL borrowers: students, faculty, staff, and non-UNF borrowers

$ .25 per day on regular loans.

Special fines apply in the following instances:

Course Reserve, overdue hourly loan, $1.00 per hour
Course Reserve, overdue daily loan, $1.00 per day
Recalled overdue item, $1.00 per day in addition to any other fine
Interlibrary Loan overdue, $1.00 per day (no maximum)

Minimum fine charged per overdue items is $2.00.

All partial day and partial hour fines are rounded up. For example, an item 8 days and one minute late is charged as 9 days overdue.

REPLACEMENT COSTS

Costs are charged in addition to any accrued fines. Library items that are 20 days overdue are assumed lost and the borrower is billed for replacement of the item. Generally, the average cost of a book within a specific subject area is charged, but not less than the average cost of all North America hardback books as found in The Bowker Annual of Library Book Trade Information. Alternately, the Library may charge the current retail price of a title as found in Books In Print.

The minimum replacement charge will never be less than the average cost of all North America Hardback Books, currently $57.65.

Borrowers' accounts are credited for books returned after billing. Replacement costs are automatically removed from the account if returned within 180 days of the due date, but the borrower still must pay any overdue fine.

APPEALS AND REFUNDS

Appeals for library fines and charges must be received IN WRITING within 90 days of the billing date. Verbal appeals do not protect your rights under this time limitation. Appeals must contain the borrower's name and UNF N number as it appears on University records, the invoice numbers of the charges being appealed, and an explanation of the extraordinary circumstances why the charges should be waived or adjusted. Inclusion of substantiating documentation is recommended.

Should an item be returned more than 180 days after the due date, the replacement value is not refundable.

If the borrower appeals the amount of the replacement charge, the library will research the exact amount to replace the item, including out-of-print and shipping charges. Presenting an exact usable replacement copy may be substituted for paying the replacement charge, although cataloging and binding charges may still apply.

Appeals should be addressed to:
Thomas G. Carpenter Library
Access Services Department
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645

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