What is the Borrowed Item Policy Change?
Answer
As steward of our shared collections, the library works to provide all borrowers with reliable access to books, journals, databases, archives, streaming video and more. During the COVID-19 pandemic the library implemented auto-renewal as a service for the majority students, faculty and staff caught by lockdown or other circumstances who were unable to return or further renew their items. Auto-renewal is not a good practice for sustaining the long-term health and viability of library collections. The value of our shared collections depends on borrowed items being returned and made available for the next student, staff or community member.
Beginning Fall 2025, the library will no longer auto-renew unreturned books and other borrowed items.
Renewal of Borrowed Items
Students:
Loanable items will have a 16-week loan period. After 16 weeks, items need to be returned to the library. Items are due at the end of the semester. Students can only request a loan extension by contacting the Circulation Manager, Cat Fallon, at the Circulation Desk or by calling (607) 436-2725.
Faculty/Staff:
Faulty/Staff accounts are no longer auto renewable.
Loanable items will have a 16-week loan period.
After 16 weeks, borrowers can return the item[s] to the library or renew the item[s] in one of the following ways listed. Maximum of 2 renewals.
- In person at the Circulation Desk.
- Online at https://libguides.oneonta.edu/home.
- By phone at (607) 436-2796.
An item cannot be renewed if another borrower has placed a hold on it.
If there is more than one hold on the item, the first person in the queue will receive the item.
Community Users:
Loanable items will have a 16-week loan period.
After 16 weeks, borrowers can return the item[s] to the library or renew the item[s] in one of the following ways listed. Maximum of 2 renewals.
- Renew online by going to the library website. https://suny.oneonta.edu/academics/academic-support-services/library
- Click on My Account under the search box.
- Click on Guest Login.
- Use your first name followed by your last name in all lower case plus the last three numbers of your library card barcode (i.e., joansmith123) as your username, and the full barcode number as your password.
- This will open your library account and allow you to view and renew your loans, see your requests, and any fines.
- Renew the item by phone at (607) 436-2796.
An item cannot be renewed if another borrower has placed a hold on it.
If there is more than one hold on the item, the first person in the queue will receive the item.
Recall of Borrowed Items
Borrowers will receive an e-mail recall notice when an item is placed on hold at the request of another borrower.
The item must be returned within 28 days.
The fine for failing to return the item will be $5.00 per day.
Items needed for course reserves are subject to immediate recall and must be returned immediately.
Overdue Items
Patrons with overdue or lost items will receive 3 overdue notices 1 week apart after the due date.
If the item is not returned 7 days after the 3rd notice, a block will be placed on the borrower’s account until the item is returned.
After 30 days, any item not returned will be claimed lost until the borrower’s account is reconciled.
When an item is returned, the blocks will be cleared.