Borrowing Materials


Borrowing privileges at the Lehigh Libraries are extended to current Lehigh faculty, staff and students; students and faculty at LVAIC institutions; faculty from participating OCLC and PALCI academic research libraries; and others who have privileges through purchase of an individual or corporate borrowers card or contributing level memberships in the Friends of the Library.

The $50.00 Friend's membership will provide the opportunity to request a courtesy card for borrowing books from the libraries. This courtesy card will permit the member to borrow books for 28 days once the library card is issued. For more information about borrowing books from the libraries call the Circulation Department at 610-758-4924.



Loan Periods

Loan periods vary according to borrower status and material type.  Reserve items and audiovisual materials are loaned for periods ranging from two hours to seven days.  Loan periods for books are listed below.  All materials are subject to recall after ten days if a member of the Lehigh community requests an item that is currently on loan. Reference materials and unbound journals must be used in the library.
 
 
Faculty End of the Spring Semester
Grad Students & Adjunct Faculty End of the current Semester
Undergraduates & Staff 28 Days
Others (Friends, LVAIC, etc.) 28 Days

Renewals

Books may be renewed in person at the library, over the phone (758-4923) or via user services menus on ASA, the library catalog.  Faculty and graduate students are limited to 2 renewals over the phone or through self-renewal on ASA.  If materials are required for a longer period they must be brought in to the library and recharged in person. For assistance or questions regarding renewals, contact Maria Merle at mim1@lehigh.edu.

Fines and Charges

Fines for overdue materials are 50 cents per day per item up to a maximum fine of $10.00 per item.  Fines begin to accumulate the day after an item is due.  However, if material is returned or renewed within a 5-day grace period, no fines are charged.  After the 5-day grace period the full fine is assessed.  Reserve items, audiovisual materials and equipment, and recalled items carry larger fines. For assistance or questions regarding fines or other charges, contact Terry Ruhf at tar1@lehigh.edu.

Books that are lost or damaged are billed to the borrower at their full replacement value plus a processing fee of $10.00.


Notices

Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy to remind borrowers of the due date of the materials they have borrowed. Prompt attention to notices will prevent overdue fines from accumulating.  The notice schedule is as follows:
 
 
3 Days before due date  Renewal reminder   Sent via email
1 Day after due date  First overdue notice   Sent via email & paper notice
14 Days after due date  Second overdue notice  Sent via email & paper notice
4 Weeks after due date  Fourth overdue notice  Sent via email & paper notice

Recalls

If you need material which is charged to another borrower library staff will recall it for you.  Fill out a recall card at the front desk of the library, call 758-4923, or use the self service menus on ASA to request a recall.  The person using the material will be contacted immediately and asked to return the needed item within ten days.

If you are contacted about returning a recalled item, please complete your use of the material promptly and return it for the next user. For assistance or questions regarding recalls, contact Maria Merle at mim1@lehigh.edu.


Mailing Address

If you need to return books by mail, please send to:

Lending Services
Room 412
Fairchild-Martindale Library
8A E. Packer Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18015


Last updated: Tuesday, 23-Dec-2008 02:56:26 EST