Borrowing Policies


We welcome all CSUF faculty, staff, students and other users to the Pollak Library. Borrowing privileges for groups are listed below.


STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF

CSUF students, faculty, and staff enjoy broad circulation privileges, including interlibrary loan (ILL) and reciprocal borrowing. They also have access (both on and off campus) to the Library's wide array of electronic resources. Emeritus faculty and staff enjoy the same privileges as above. 

PATRONS OF THE LIBRARY

Members of the Patrons of the Library receive modest circulation privileges, but ILL services are available only at the Enhanced Membership level and above. Patrons do not have remote access to electronic resources but may use these resources in person as daily guest users.

SPECIAL BORROWERS

Special borrowers have limited circulation privileges, without ILL services. They also don't have remote access to electronic resources but may use these in person as daily guest users.

Individuals from the following groups are eligible to become special borrowers: CSU alumni associations, Art Alliance, Friends of the Arboretum, qualifying Orange County teachers, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), President's Associates, Reading Educators' Guild, and students, faculty, and staff from other CSU campuses and reciprocal institutions.

EXTENDED EDUCATION STUDENTS

Students taking credit-bearing Extended Education courses receive the same library privileges as noted above for students, staff and faculty. Those taking certificate programs or auditing courses through Extended Education get General Public privileges described below.

 


Loan Rules

Loan rules determine who may borrow what type of item and for how long.

STUDENTS

Graduate, Undergraduate, and extension.

number of items: 100
loan period: 20 weeks
renewal: one additional 20-week period prior to an inventory check.


FACULTY AND STAFF

Full-time/permanent instructors, Staff, CSUF emeriti, and visiting scholars.

number of items: 100
loan period: one 1 year from date of checkout for most items.
renewal: one renewal permitted for 1 year from date of renewal.

PATRONS OF THE LIBRARY

All membership levels.

number of items: 10
loan period: 28 days
renewal: one additional 28-day period prior to an inventory check.
SPECIAL BORROWERS
Reciprocal borrowers, CSU alumni association members, OLLI members, Orange County Residents, etc.

number of items: 10
loan period: 28 days
renewal: one additional 28-day period prior to an inventory check.
These rules apply for most of the circulating collection (books and government documents). Other items have more limited loan periods or are non-circulating for most users.

Circulation Notices

It is the responsibility of borrowers to know when their materials are due. As a courtesy, when materials become overdue, the Library will send a reminder or overdue notice. Failure to receive this notice is not grounds for the cancellation of fines or replacement charges. Per university policy, all circulation notices are sent via campus e-mail. It is the borrower's responsibility to keep the Library informed of changes to contact information.

Circulation notices will be generated in the following cycles.

  • Courtesy Notice:   5 days before due date
  • One day past due: 1st overdue notice.
  • 30 days past due: 2nd overdue notice.
  • 60 days past due: 3rd overdue notice.
  • 90 days past due: bill for replacement.

 

Fines and Notices

The California State University Board of Trustees authorizes the collection of fees associated with lost, damaged, or overdue library materials. In turn, the amounts of specific fees and fines are set by the University Librarian with the concurrence of the CSUF Academic Senate.

UPS 508.000 governs the return or replacement of library materials by students, faculty, staff, and other users and authorizes the Library to collect unpaid obligations.

SCHEDULE OF FINES AND FEES

For lost or damaged items, fees may be assessed to cover the material and labor costs of repairing or replacing the items. Replacement items must be approved and purchased by the  collection development librarian.

Service Fees

  • $90 standard replacement cost, when the actual price is not available.
  • $25 returned-check fee (only for dishonored checks).

COLLECTION POLICY

Unreturned materials or unpaid obligations may result in a hold being placed on enrollment, graduation, or the release of transcripts. After 180 days, unpaid obligations are subject to collection proceedings. Funds may be assigned to interception via the Franchise Tax Board or be submitted to a private collections agency.

Renewal Policy

Most items are allowed one renewal before an inventory check is required. Items may be renewed in person, online, or by phone at 657-278-2721. 

Renewals for interlibrary loan are at the discretion of the lending libraries.

Recall Policy

Checked-out materials are subject to recall if the item is needed for Course Reserves. Patrons will be notified of recalls and revised due dates by e-mail. Failure to return recalled items promptly may result in the assessment of fines, the suspension of library privileges, and/or the placement of academic holds.

Lost or Damaged Items

Lost items should be reported promptly to avoid the accrual of overdue fines. A borrower who reports that an item has been lost will be responsible for the replacement cost, a processing fee, and any applicable overdue fines.

Borrowers may be assessed repair or replacement charges for damaged items.

Replacement Charges

Replacement bills are issued when borrowers fail to return checked-out materials. Replacement charges will include the cost of the item and may also include processing fees, billing fees, and any applicable overdue fines.

Replacement charges for interlibrary loans will be determined by the lending institution.

Reciprocal Borrowing

In addition to interlibrary-loan services, a number of reciprocal borrowing arrangements have been established to provide access to resources that are not owned by the Pollak Library. Reciprocity allows CSUF students, faculty, and staff to go directly to another library and borrow the resources that they need in person immediately.

All CSU libraries  have reciprocity with one another, though local lending rules will apply. On top of this, the Pollak Library has reciprocal lending agreements with several other local libraries. These institutions are listed below.

  • Biola University 
  • Cerritos College 
  • Fullerton College 
  • Hope International University 
  • Marshall B. Ketchum University 
  • Orange County School of the Arts 
  • Santiago Canyon College 
  • Southern California University of Health Sciences 
  • Western State University College of Law 
  • Whittier College 

Please obtain an authorization letter from the Circulation Desk (1st floor, Library South) before visiting any of the listed libraries.