Borrow, Renew, Requests

Current MSMU students, faculty, and staff can check out materials and request items through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) by obtaining a library barcode.

To check out materials, you must have an official MSMU ID, MSMU Alum ID Card, or other valid photo ID, if you are currently affiliated with the Mount, your account will already be automatically associated with your University ID number. To sign into Quick Search, just use your MSMU credentials.

The libraries' databases and electronic resources can be accessed off-campus by logging into myMSMU with your MSMU credentials and then visiting the MSMU Libraries website. Access to individual databases may require you to login again with your MSMU credentials, or may suggest that you create an account for that particular database to save your searches.

Privileges include:

• Loan periods for print materials (regular books, bestsellers, theses, periodicals)
• Access to Interlibrary Loan print materials
• Full access to databases, indexes, full-text, and other digital resources on- and off-campus
• Digital Document Delivery for articles that need to be ordered individually and delivered via email

Alums who wish to use the MSMU Libraries must have an Alum ID Card issued by the Alumnae Association.

The Alum ID Card permits:

• In-person use of the library
• Ability to check out regular print books owned by MSMU Libraries
• Reference assistance during normal business hours
• Computer access at both campuses during normal business hours
• Sponsored wifi access with presentation of Alum ID Card at the Circulation Desk of either library

Note: Alums do not have access to any ILL services or off-campus access to the libraries' databases due to licensing restrictions.

The MSMU Libraries are not open to the public.

All guests must be sponsored by a current MSMU faculty member or administrator and/or identified by Access Services Staff at the Circulation Desk at either campus.

• Religious Affiliates, Visiting Professors, and Sponsored Guests: Have your MSMU Sponsor (faculty member or administrator) email the library to obtain a limited-term library card. Approved affiliates will need to present a government-issued ID to obtain their limited-term library card.
• SCELC Faculty: Limited-term access to the libraries is available by bringing a SCELC application signed by your home institution and a government-issued ID.

 Limited-Term Library Card Privileges:

• Limited-term library cards will be issued to approved, sponsored guests at the library Circulation Desk
• MSMU Affiliates must produce a valid photo ID to obtain the limited-term library card
• This pass expires one year from date issued
• This pass does not include interlibrary loan privileges, study room access, or 24-hour computer lab access

The MSMU Libraries are not open to the public.

All guests must be sponsored by a current MSMU community member and/or identified by Access Services Staff at the Circulation Desk at either campus.

• Guests of MSMU students: must be accompanied by the student at all times.
• Guests of MSMU staff or faculty: MSMU faculty and staff can request a 1-day visitor badge at the Circulation Desk for household members who are 18 years or older
• Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. An adult must supervise the children's use of library equipment and resources and must remain with the children at all times.
• Other Sponsored Guests: See MSMU Affiliates above for access requirements

1-Day Visitor Badge

• 1-Day Visitor Badge will be issued to approved sponsored guests at the library Circulation Desk
• Any family member 18 years of age and older must also produce a valid photo ID
• This pass expires one day from date issued
• This pass does not include borrowing privileges, interlibrary loan, study room access, or 24-hour computer lab access

Statement of Copyright: Legal Statute Citation

U.S. Code: Title 17 - Copyrights

"The U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 101 - 810, is Federal legislation enacted by Congress under its Constitutional grant of authority to protect the writings of authors. Changing technology has led to an ever expanding understanding of the word "writings." The Copyright Act now reaches architectural design, software, the graphic arts, motion pictures, and sound recordings and more. As of January 1. 1978, all works of authorship fixed in tangible medium of expression and within the subject matter of copyright were deemed to fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Copyright Act regardless of whether the work was created before or after that date and whether published or unpublished."

Source: ALA Copyright for Libraries: General Information

Demonstrated Understanding of Fair Use

The Four Fair Use Factors will help to determine whether your fair use claims are valid (17 U.S.C. 107):

• Purpose and character of use.
  Is it commercial (used for monetary gain) or non-commercial (used for educational purposes?
• Nature of the copyrighted work.
  Is it based on something factual, such as a biography? Or is it purely creative fiction? Note: Courts are typically more protective of creative works (art, poetry, film) than non-fiction works (non-fiction, textbooks, journal articles).
• Amount/Portion of the work used in relation to the whole.
  Is the amount requested or used no more or less than necessary to make your point and/or instruct your students? 
• Potential market value.
  How does your use affect the value of the copyrighted work's market value?
  What is the publication status of the material?

Fair Use Checklist

• For additional clarification on fair use please see the:
  Columbia University Libraries' Copyright Advisory Services Fair Use Checklist
  

Legal Counsel at MSMU:
This policy is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you would like legal advice regarding copyright or author's rights, contact MSMU Legal Counsel.

MSMU Libraries Scanning and eReserves Statements

• MSMU is a non-profit university and a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), serving a diverse community including many low-income students. Affordability and accessibility are extremely important factors in determining reasonable Extent and Purpose in relation to Fair Use. 
• MSMU Libraries will perform due diligence in obtaining or purchasing eBooks from our library vendors, explore all options, purchase print copies for the MSMU Reserves collection, and when necessary, provide scanned copies of readings to faculty for dissemination in our LMS, Canvas, which remains behind SSO firewall.
• In collaboration with faculty, MSMU Libraries staff will determine whether it is appropriate to provide a pdf or a proxy link to the needed materials.
• MSMU Libraries will NOT place any materials obtained through ILL or Document Delivery on Reserve.
• While the MSMU Libraries support the technical components of the scanning system, the patron assumes all liability associated with the use of duplicated materials under Section 108(f)(1) of the U.S. Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code).

General Guidelines for Scanned Copies of MSMU Library Materials
What we can always provide to MSMU community members: (if available)

• 10% of an entire work*
• 1 chapter for every 10 chapters
• 1 article per journal issue (when requesting a document that is scanned from print)**
• Entire print news articles
• Table of Contents

*Note: Many sources may recommend that using 10% of the total work constitutes fair use, but this number varies on a case-by-case basis, depending on the users' needs. If instructors can justify that they are using no more than necessary to make their point or provide instruction, then their fair use claims may be validated.

**Note: This limit does not apply to the Article Request Policy; users may request as many articles as they wish from any journal issue. It simply applies to the number of articles MSMU Library staff may scan from an owned print journal for an individual patron.

MSMU Libraries Copyright Statement on Electronic Documents

• While the MSMU Libraries support the technical components of the scanning system, the patron assumes all liability associated with the use of duplicated materials under Section 108(f)(1) of the U.S. Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code). 

The MSMU Libraries’ Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service enables MSMU students, faculty, and staff to borrow materials not available in MSMU libraries. You do not need to specify where the materials should come from; MSMU library staff will automatically search for availability in other libraries.

Eligibility

The service is free to eligible borrowers:

• MSMU students
• MSMU faculty and staff members

ILL Materials Request Form

 Delivery of ILL Materials

• Short Works: When possible, articles, book chapters, and other short works will be scanned and emailed directly to your MSMU email address.
• Long Works: Longer works, such as books, DVDs, and whole journals, will be physically mailed to MSMU. Upon their arrival, you will be notified via your MSMU email. The ILL materials will then be available for you to check out at the circulation desk at the campus you originally selected.

Items That Can Be Requested

• Items not owned by MSMU libraries
• Items that are unavailable (checked-out) at MSMU libraries (this may exclude some course reserves)
• Items missing from MSMU libraries
• Items at MSMU libraries that can no longer circulate because of their fragile condition

Items That Cannot Be Requested

• Some textbooks and course reserves may not be available from other libraries
• Non-circulating items (Items that do not circulate from other libraries may include: special collections materials, reference materials, encyclopedias, dictionaries, workbooks, etc.)

Items That May Be Difficult to Obtain

• Entire journal volumes or issues
• Titles only owned at one institution
• ePub/articles ahead of print dates (pre-publication materials)

General Fines Notes

• To avoid overdue fines, items should be returned by 11:59 p.m. on the due date.
• Overdue fines will only be accrued when the library is open.
• Hourly reserve items that are checked out less than 2 hours before the library closes will be due 2 hours after the library opens the next day.
• Items on hold will be held at the circulation desk for 14 days.
• For interlibrary loan (ILL) books, the due dates, fines, and replacement fees are set by the lending institution.

Lost Materials Replacement Fees

General MSMU Item Replacement Fee: $35

• If a lost item costs more than $35 to replace, the patron will be charged the amount it costs the library to replace the item.
• Patrons may supply a replacement copy, but please consult with a library staff member before purchasing an item to replace a lost copy.
• Only approved replacement copies will be accepted in lieu of the replacement fee.

Borrower privileges may be suspended for reasons including, but not limited to, failing to return materials, returning damaged materials, and not paying fines.

Unpaid fines will be sent to university accounts.

Note: Reference books, Theses, Dissertations, University Archives materials, and Special Collections materials are building-use only and do not circulate.

General MSMU Item Replacement Fee: $35

• If a lost item costs more than $35 to replace, you will be charged the amount it costs the library to replace the item.
• You may supply a replacement copy, but please consult with a library staff member before purchasing an item to replace a lost copy.
• Only approved replacement copies will be accepted in lieu of the replacement fee.

ILL Replacement Fees: determined by the lending institution

• Late fines are only charged for Course Reserves and ILL materials.
• Generally, to avoid late/overdue fines,  all Reserves and ILL materials should be returned by 11:59 p.m. on the due date. Short-term course reserves should be returned at least one minute before they are due.
• Overdue fines will only be accrued when the library is open.
• Hourly reserve items that are checked out less than 2 hours before the library closes will be due 2 hours after the library opens the next day.
• Items on hold will be held at the circulation desk for 14 days.
• For interlibrary loan (ILL) books, the due dates, fines, and replacement fees are set by the lending institution.
• See the Loan Periods and Fines table below for individual rates.

Please note that borrower privileges may be suspended for reasons including, but not limited to, failing to return materials, returning damaged materials, and not paying fines.

Unpaid fines will be sent to university accounts.

From My Library Account, you can place a hold on a book that is checked out and shown as “Not Available” by clicking on "Request." A hold prevents the current borrower from renewing the book.

When it is returned, it will be placed on hold for you. You will receive a notification via email that the book is available for pickup at the Circulation Desk at the library of your choice. Books may be sent to either campus.

Reference, Reserves and Special Collections material may not be put on HOLD and must be used inside the library. Email circdesk@msmu.edu if you have any questions about library-use-only materials.

How to Place a Hold:

1. Sign in to My Library Account.
2. Click on the New Search button.
3. Search for books by author, subject, title, etc. or create an advanced keyword search including limits to material type, language, publication year, etc.
4. Under Availability, apply the Physical Items Held by MSMU filter.
5. Click on the title of the book that you want.
6. Note that the book's status will says, "On loan until MM/DD/YYYY," and there will be a delay before the book arrives.
7. Under Get It, click the Request button.
8. Choose a Pick-Up Location and a  “Not needed after” date. Then, click Send Request.
9. When the book arrives at its destination, you should receive an email.
10. It takes approximately 2-3 days to send books between campuses, so please plan accordingly!

If you are having trouble locating an item on the shelf, stop by the Circulation Desk at either campus and tell library staff. We will look for the book and let you know when it has been found and placed in its proper location on the shelf. Please note, however, that this will not prevent someone else from checking it out.

1. Sign in to My Library Account.
2. If you want to renew everything you have checked out, simply click the Renew ALL button on the left side of the Overview page. You will see a message confirming the success or failure of your renewal on the following page.
3. If you want to renew specific items, click the My Loans link to view all the materials you have checked out.
4. Click the “RENEW” button next to each item separately or select the materials you want to renew by checking the boxes in the left column and then click the Renew Selected button. If you are successful, a new due date will appear in the center column. Always check the right-hand column to verify that each item says “Renewed.”
5. If you are unable to renew, contact circdesk@msmu.edu and generally they will be able to renew all MSMU materials for you.
   Note: You may not be able to renew certain ILL materials.

Yes, we can request materials for you through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) aka OCLC's WorldCat. These materials may come from anywhere in the country, but take up to 2 weeks in processing time, so please plan ahead when conducting research. See below for more information.

The MSMU Libraries’ Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service enables MSMU students, faculty, and staff to borrow materials not available in MSMU libraries. You do not need to specify where the materials should come from; MSMU library staff will automatically search for availability in other libraries.

Eligibility

The service is free to eligible borrowers:

• MSMU students
• MSMU faculty and staff members

Request Form

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Materials Request

Delivery of ILL Materials

• Short Works: When possible, articles, book chapters, and other short works will be scanned and emailed directly to your MSMU email address.
• Long Works: Longer works, such as books, DVDs, and whole journals will be physically mailed to MSMU. Upon their arrival, you will be notified via your MSMU email. The ILL materials will then be available for you to check out at the circulation desk at the campus you originally selected.

Items That Can Be Requested

• Items not owned by MSMU libraries
• Items that are unavailable (checked-out) at MSMU libraries (this may exclude some course reserves)
• Items missing from MSMU libraries
• Items at MSMU libraries that can no longer circulate because of their fragile condition

Items That Cannot Be Requested

• Some textbooks and course reserves may not be available from other libraries
• Non-circulating items (Items that do not circulate from other libraries may include: special collections materials, reference materials, encyclopedias, dictionaries, workbooks, etc.)

Items That May Be Difficult to Obtain

• Entire journal volumes or issues
• Titles only owned at one institution
• ePub/articles ahead of print dates (pre-publication materials)

First, search for your desired book(s) using WorldCat

After locating the book(s), and checking to make sure that it is not already available at the MSMU Libraries, please submit a request using the following form:

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Materials Request

NOTE: All ILL users must have a current library card, free of fines, to use the service.

There is no limit to the number of ILL requests that you can make.

Items that are mailed (books) may take 2-4 weeks to arrive. Items that are scanned (articles and book chapters) may take 1 to 2 weeks to arrive. You will be notified via your MSMU email. Please pick up your items as soon as possible. Do not remove the ILL label and/or book strap.

Renewals requests are made by emailing the ILL staff at illcc@msmu.edu. If an item is eligible for renewal, we will contact the lending library and then contact you after the lending library responds. Items that are not renewable will be noted on the ILL book strap. Renewal requests must be placed on or before the due date. Overdue items are not eligible for renewal.

Items may be returned to either MSMU campus library during open hours only. Do not place ILL materials in the book drop.

MSMU does not charge for ILL requests. However, if you lose or damage an ILL item, you may be fined as much as $200, depending on the owning library's policy.

For more information on ILL borrowing, contact illcc@msmu.edu.