Borrowing Materials

Learn how to borrow or request the research materials you need.

Borrowing From NU Library

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Borrower Identification

If you are a student or employee of Niagara University, your student or University ID card serves as your Library card. If you lose your ID card or change your address, please inform the Library right away. The telephone number of the Circulation Desk is 716-286-8020.

Loan Periods and Maximum Number of Items that Can Be Checked Out

Patron CategoryLoan PeriodTotal # of Items Allowed Out
Affiliated 8 Weeks 20 Books
Undergraduate 8 Weeks 25 Books, 3 Reserve Items
Graduate 8 Weeks 25 Books, 3 Reserve Items
Faculty 120 Days 50 Books, 3 Reserve Items
Staff 8 Weeks 25 Books, 3 Reserve Items
Alumni 8 Weeks 10 Books, 3 Reserve Items
NUSTEP 8 Weeks 10 Books, 3 Reserve Items
Courtesy Card 8 Weeks 10 Books, 3 Reserve Items
LAP/INFOPASS 8 Weeks 10 Books, 3 Reserve Item

Reserve items may be borrowed for two hours and must remain in the Library. You may borrow up to 10 DVDs at one time. The loan period for DVDs from the recreational collection is 7 days. The loan period for DVDs from the general collection is 28 days.

The return of materials borrowed from the Library is the responsibility of the borrower.

The Library mails overdue notices to the address you supplied us with when you first registered. Please let us know if you change your address. The non-receipt of notices is not an excuse for not returning books or returning them late.

Fines

  • 50 cents per hour per overdue reserve item.
  • 50 cents per day for books that have been recalled but not returned within 10 days.
  • $1.00 per day per overdue DVD (weekends and holidays included).
  • $10.00 maximum fine per overdue book or reserve item.

Lost or Damaged Books

A minimum $50.00 fee is charged for any lost or damaged book (expensive books may have higher fees). A book is considered lost if it has not been returned 30 days after the due date. If you find a book that you paid for, you can return it to the Library, and your lost book fee will be refunded (except for a $10.00 processing fee).

Overdue Notices

  • 1st Notice issued 7 days after due date.
  • 2nd Notice issued 15 days after due date.
  • Billing Notice issued 30 days after due date.

Unpaid fines for overdue, damaged, or lost materials are forwarded to the Students Accounts Office at the end of each semester.

Borrowing Privileges Blocked

If you have more than 10 overdue books or owe more than $15 in fines, you will not be allowed to check out books until you clear your account.

Placing Requests on Books

  • If a book you need is checked out or on the shelf, you can place a request for it. When the book is returned, you will be notified by mail or email to come to the Library and pick it up.
  • Books will be held at the Circulation Desk for 10 days.

Reviewing Your Library Account

You can review your Library account by logging into "My Library" in the Library Catalog. You will need to enter the barcode from your NU Library ID card and a pin number (to request a pin number, please call the Circulation Desk at 716-286-8020). You can see:

  • What books you checked out
  • What fines you owe
  • What items you placed on hold
  • If the Library has your correct address on file

Borrowing From Other Libraries (ILL & AcademicSHARE)

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There are two ways to try to obtain an item that NU Library does not own.

  • You can use Interlibrary Loan. We will attempt to obtain the item for you from another library. View the FAQ on our Policies page.

  • You can make use of the AcademicSHARE program, which will allow you to visit and check out books from other academic libraries* in Western New York. You will need to present your valid NU ID card. In addition, your NU circulation account must be in good standing (that is, you don't have outstanding fines or an excessive record of returning books late).

*The two largest public library systems in the area, Buffalo and Erie County and Niagara County, do not participate in this program. However, you can usually make arrangements with these libraries yourself to get a library card (but call ahead of time).