Policy

. Description

NOTE: This service is available to Erskine students and faculty only.

McCain Library will send books and articles from periodicals held in its collections to Erskine Theological Seminary students and adjunct faculty unable to visit the McCain Library on a regular basis.  Books will be checked out under the requestor’s name by the library staff.  Articles from periodicals or reasonable portions from books will be photocopied or scanned.

II. Items Loaned Through “Library Materials by Mail”

A. McCain Library will send items from the following collections through the Library Materials by Mail service:

1. General circulating books
2. Government Documents
3. Popular Fiction/Non-fiction Collection (Lease books)
4. Student Christian Association Collection

B. Materials from the following collections typically are NOT sent through the Library Materials by Mail service:

1. Audio/Visual collections (videos, audiocassettes, CDs, and phonographs)
2. Reference
3. Reserves
4. Archives/Special Collections
5. Periodicals (either paper or microfilm) – Instead, copies of individual articles are sent.
6. Microforms

C. At the discretion of McCain Library, special arrangements may be made for items from collections listed in Section B to be sent through the Library Materials by Mail service.

III. Acceptable Forms of Request

Valid patrons must submit their requests for materials in writing to the Library Materials by Mail librarian via email, fax, U.S. postal mail, or online form on the library’s website.

IV. Charges and Fines

A. The only charge for this service is the cost of postage for returning books to the library via the U.S. postal mail or UPS.  If books are returned to the library in person by the due date, no other charges apply.

B. Overdue fines ($0.10 per day per item) will be assessed as outlined in the library’s ciculation policy.

B. A fine will be assessed by the library for lost, stolen, or damaged items as outlined in the library’s ciculation policy.

V. Library Responsibility for Sending Materials

A. McCain Library will send books to requesting patrons via the U.S. postal mail.  Photocopies will be sent electronically (when possible) or by U.S. postal mail or fax.  The library will assume the cost of sending materials to the patrons.  There is no handling charge for either books or articles.

VI. Patron Responsibility for Returning Materials

A. Patrons will be responsible for:

1. Returning books to the library in good condition by the due date
2. Any return postage required

B. Books may be returned in person, by U.S. postal mail, or by UPS.  If returned via the U.S. postal mail or UPS, books should be returned in the envelope in which they were received (or an equivalent envelope).  The library will supply a return address label.

C. Photocopies do not need to be returned to the library.

VII. Circulation Period for Returnable Items (Books)

A. For students (excluding D.Min. and Th.M. students), the circulation period is thirty (30) days.

B. For faculty members and D.Min. and Th.M. students, the circulation period is one hundred twenty (120) days.

VIII. Renewals

A. Students (excluding D.Min. and Th.M. students) may renew books two (2) times consecutively.  Each renewal is for a period of thirty (30) days.

B. Faculty members and D.Min. and Th.M. students may renew books two (2) times consecutively.  Each renewal is for a period of sixty (60) days.

C. Renewal requests should be made to the library’s circulation department via email, phone, fax, or the U.S. postal mail.  The request should include:

1. The patron’s name
2. The barcode number from the patron’s student ID or McCain Library Borrowers Card
3. The title of the book(s) to be renewed
4. The barcode number on the book(s) to be renewed

D. McCain Library reserves the right to recall any item if needed by another patron.

IX. Recalls

McCain Library reserves the right to recall at any time an item that is checked out to a patron of McCain Library.  At such time, the patron will be notified of the recall and will be expected to return the item immediately to McCain Library.

X. Overdue Items and Fees

A. Overdue fines for books will be assessed at a rate of $0.10 per day per item.  A three (3) day grace period will be observed on overdue items.

B. McCain Library sends overdue notices as a courtesy to patrons; however, it is the responsibility of the patrons to know the due date for checked out items and return items on time or pay overdue fines.

C. Once an item is sixty (60) days overdue it is considered “lost.” (see Section XI below)

XI. Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Items

A. Any item that becomes lost*, stolen, or damaged while checked out to a patron is the responsibility of that patron. [*Items thirty (30) days or more overdue will be considered “lost”.] In such cases, the patron to whom the item is checked out will be responsible for the following:

1. The replacement cost of the item
2. A $10.00 processing fee for each item lost, stolen, or damaged item

B. If a lost item is found after payment has been received, McCain Library will refund fifty percent (50%) of the total payment received provided that:

1. The lost item has not yet been replaced, or if it has, that a second copy is desired.
2. The item was valued at $10.00 or more.
3. The item is returned in good condition.

Otherwise, no refund will be granted.