Circulation Policies
InterLibrary Loan Policies
Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Library Cards
To check out materials, a library card must be presented to the staff at the circulation desk.  Library cards are issued to students, faculty, and staff at no cost.  Community patrons are charged $20.00 for a two-year card.

Borrowing Limits
Athens State students and employees may check out fifteen books at one time.  Other patrons are limited to three books at one time.  Reference books and periodicals may not be borrowed.

Loan Periods
Library materials may be borrowed for three weeks.

Renewals
Materials may be renewed unless they are needed by another patron.  Reserve materials may not be renewed until they have remained on the Reserve shelf available to other patrons for at least one week.

Online Renewals

• View your Library account by going to www.athens.edu/library/catalog.shtml
• Select "My Account" under My Library
• Enter your name and library barcode (this is the 14-digit number on the back of your library card. If you are using your ASU Student ID Card, please enter 22115000 and the 6-digit number on the back of your card). Click on the "Submit" button.
• Click on the item(s) currently checked out.
• In the box "Items Checked Out" check the box under the "Renew" column. Click on the "Renew Selected Items." If you have more than one item to renew, you may choose to click on the "Renew All" button.
• Once you have completed your transaction, please click on the "Log Out" button on the left side of the screen.

Employees and Alumni may renew items ONE time unless the items are overdue, OR a hold has been placed on the item. Students may renew items TWO times unless the items are overdue, OR a hold has been placed on the item. Community users may not renew items.

Reserve items cannon be renewed.

Cancel Holds
Log into your account by using the above instructions. Once you are in your account select "Hold Outstanding." Select the box under the cancel column that you wish to cancel. Click on the "Cancel Selected" button. If you wish to cancel all holds in your account, you may choose the "Cancel All" button.

Checked Out or Not on Shelf Materials
Materials checked out or not on the shelf may have a recall request placed at the Circulation Desk by the Library Patron. Requested books are subject to recall three weeks after they are borrowed. Books needed for Reserve are subject to immediate recall. Borrowers who fail to return recalled books will lose their borrowing privileges. The Library Patron will be notified when a recalled book is available.

Fines
Overdue fines are ten cents per day to a maximum of five dollars per item. Fines of $10.00 or more will result in academic SANCTIONS AND LOSS OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES. Athens State students’ grades will be held until fines are cleared up. Lost book bills are determined by the replacement cost plus $10.00 processing fee. Replacement library cards are five dollars.

Damaged Materials
The Library will determine the cost of repair and the patron will be billed accordingly. Materials that cannot be repaired will be billed as Lost items. All damaged materials remain the property of the Athens State University Library.

Returning Library Materials
Patrons are responsible for all material checked out with their library cards until the items are properly and safely returned to the Circulation Desk. If the Library is closed, books may be returned in the Book Depository located beside the front entrance.

Reciprocal Library Borrowing Agreements
The Athens State University Library maintains reciprocal library borrowing agreements with Alabama A&M University, Calhoun State Community College, UAH, UNA, and Oakwood College.  Athens State students must present a valid ID card at reciprocal institutions to have limited borrowing privileges at these libraries.  Athens State students are subject to all policies and restrictions imposed by the lending institution.  Likewise, A&M, Calhoun, UAH, UNA, and Oakwood College students may borrow Athens State materials subject to Athens State Library policies.

Lost and Found
Personal items and personal books are held a day or two at the Circulation Desk and then turned in to the Security Office located in Founder's Hall. Campus Security telephone number is 233-8222.

Help Desk
Help Desk attendants can assist with many problems. Please ask one of them for instruction in the use of the Library, and for questions relating to general Library policy. Librarians are available for reference assistance.

Miscellaneous
Suggestions for library materials and improvements are welcomed from students, faculty, and community patrons. Tobacco use, eating or drinking is not allowed in the library. Cell phone use is not permitted inside the library.

Collection Development
The Collection Development Policy is formulated to coordinate selection and weeding of materials for the collection of the Athens State University Library.  The entire policy is available in the library.  As a planning document, it will guide the allocation of funds in the acquisition budget in the present and the future.  The stated mission of the University as a two-year, upper-division institution is “to prepare students for professional careers and for graduate school.”  A primary role of the Library is to acquire and maintain materials which will support this mission.  The Collection Development Policy will promote library self-examination and assure a consistent and balanced growth which will meet immediate and long-term needs.  It will also serve as a guide to meet Southern Association of College and Schools standards.  A secondary goal of the ASU Library is to collect and preserve important materials related to the history and development of Athens State University.