The Library Access and Borrowing Policy explains privileges and responsibilities of all who borrow materials from USC Libraries. One of our highest priorities is to enable easy access to our integrated collection of electronic, print, audiovisual, and microform materials in order to support of the University's teaching, learning, and research needs. The policy aims to ensure that access to materials is equally distributed for the entire USC community.
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Updated: August 2007
Creating a Library Account
Library accounts are automatically created for all currently enrolled students and employed faculty and staff. Accounts for new borrowers will be activated usually within one business day after the creation of their USC ID, which serves as the library access and borrowing card. A 14-digit Library barcode is printed on the front of your USCard, which consists of your 10-digit USC ID + a 4-digit security code printed on the back of the card (some accounts may receive a library-issued barcode). Privileges are valid for one semester, but will be extended automatically if students continue to enroll, and if faculty and staff continue to be employed.
All borrowers are automatically assigned a Personal Identification Number (PIN) in order to provide access to their account information online through HOMER’s My Account. For security purposes, borrowers are required to authenticate themselves by changing their PIN during their first User Services transaction. A PIN is needed when users want to check when their library materials are due, to renew what they have checked out, or to recall an item checked out by another borrower.
Please note that Library privileges are not transferable to other individuals, and the Library reserves the right to request secondary picture identification before allowing access to facilities or providing services.
USC’s Medical Library, Dental Library, and Law Library provide discrete services for their respective users. Please see details on their library services pages:
- Norris Medical Library Services
- Jennifer Ann Wilson Dental Library Services
- Asa V. Call Law Library Services
Borrower Responsibility
Borrowers are responsible for all materials charged to their account until they have been physically returned and checked in by Library staff. Borrowers are entitled to receipts upon request for any returned items. Borrowers are responsible for saving receipts since USC Libraries will not keep copies. In addition, it is the Borrower's responsibility to:
Contact the library directly to update residential and e-mail address changes Know when materials are due by checking HOMER’s User Services Renew materials on or before the due date if not returned Return recalled materials promptly Exercise care in handling all library materialsAdditionally the USC Code of Ethics states a philosophy based on fairness, honesty and respecting the rights and dignity of others in all transactions. These “pillars” of ethical behavior are expected to be upheld by the USC community regardless of whether or not the specificities of a situation are regulated by policy or law. USC Libraries asks borrowers to embrace this philosophy in all library matters.
Borrowers who abuse provisions in the Library Access and Lending Policy, disrupt library service, purposefully mutilate or wrongfully remove library materials or equipment, or treat others disrespectfully while within a library facility may be referred to Student Judicial Affairs, the Office of Equity and Diversity, or the Department of Public Safety as appropriate.
Library Notices
Library notices include renewal reminders, overdue notices, and recall requests. All library notices to borrowers will be sent to their official USC e-mail account. If an alternative email account is preferred borrowers are expected to forward mail from their USC email account.
Since library accounts can also be checked online using HOMER’s User Services, lack of e-mail notice delivery does not excuse the borrower from their responsibility for overdue materials and recalls.
Borrowing Materials
Borrowers must present a valid USC ID to check out materials. The loan periods for library materials may vary based on the material type and the privilege level of the borrower. Some libraries or collections may have shorter loan periods, or require library use, for their materials as well. Most standard circulating materials may be borrowed for 2 or 4 weeks by undergraduate students and staff, and for a semester by graduate students and faculty.
USC students, staff, and faculty are allowed to borrow up to 200 standard circulating materials at one time.
Returning Materials
If not renewed, library materials must be returned on or before the due date. Most standard circulating materials receive a 14-day grace period after the due date, however, some do not. Therefore, it is never advisable to consider the grace period as part of the official loan period. Standard circulating materials can be returned at any library circulation desk during open hours, and many libraries also have book return slots near their entrance for after-hours returns.
For your convenience, standard circulating materials may also be returned at one of two external locations:
- Doheny Book Return Bin: DML & McCarthy Quad
- Leavey Book Return Bin: LVL & West 34th Street
Note that Book Return Bins quickly become full during final exams and holidays. Please do not place items partially in, next to, or on top of overfull Book Return Bins. Library materials are never due on university holidays to ensure that patrons have the opportunity to return materials to a circulation desk on time.
In order to prevent damage, fragile items should not be placed in Book Return Bins or book return slots. In addition, equipment, reserves, interlibrary loan materials, and short-term loans (1-4 hour, and 1-7 day) should be returned directly to the circulation desk from which they were checked out.
Library policy is not to remove an item from a user's account unless it is physically in hand. We can therefore not discharge an item simply on request. If you believe you have returned an item that still appears on your account, contact the library where the book was borrowed and request that it be searched. We will do a thorough search of the entire library system to locate the item.
Renewing Materials
Standard circulating materials may be renewed 10 times before they must be returned. Reserve and recalled materials cannot be renewed. Renewals may be accomplished in one of 3 ways:
- In person, at any library circulation desk
- Online, using HOMER’s My Account
- Over the phone, by contacting any Library
All 3 methods require the borrower’s USC ID, and in addition, HOMER’s User Services requires the borrower’s Personal Identification Number.
Recalls
The recall system was developed in order to ensure equal access to information for all borrowers. Materials requested by another borrower or needed for course reserves may be recalled at any time. The due date for the recalled item will be revised to a new—shorter—loan period. There is no grace period in this instance, and fines for a recall are $5.00 per item, per day.
For each item recalled an e-mail notice is sent informing the borrower of the new due date. Negligence on the part of the borrower to read his or her e-mail does not remove the responsibility to return the item by its new due date. Once an item has been recalled, it cannot be reversed. All recalls are assumed to represent a legitimate need by another borrower, and the library does not arbitrate between borrowers as to who has the greater need. Because a recall can be placed at any time, it is advisable to return all materials before traveling for extended periods of time.
When a recalled item is returned, it can be placed on hold at a library requested by the borrower. If no library is specified it will be held at the library where the item was returned by default. The borrower will be notified by e-mail to pick up the material at the designated library within 10 days. If there are multiple requests for a single item, they will be honored in the order they were requested.
Lost Library Card
If a USC ID is lost or stolen the borrower must notify the Library immediately. A new USC ID (with a new 4-digit security code) can be obtained from the USCard Office. The borrower to whom the card is issued will be held responsible for any material checked out before the loss of the ID is reported to the Library.
Overdue Materials
Failure to return library materials on time will result in the assessment of fines. For standard circulating materials (2-week, 4-week, and Semester loans) borrowers will not receive fines during the 14-day grace period. On the fifteenth day, however, fines will be assessed retroactively to the first day that the item was overdue. Course reserves and other short-term loans must be returned on or before the time of day due to avoid fines.
Fines Schedules
The borrower is responsible for full payment of fines assessed on his or her account. There are 3 basic categories of fines: those for standard circulating materials, short-term loans, and equipment. All fines are charged per item. Materials and equipment receive a short-term loan status when they are in high demand. The higher fines for these items are meant to remind borrowers of the needs of other borrowers.
Standard Circulating Material
- 2-week, 4-week and Semester loans (25¢ per day)
Short-Term Loans
- 1-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour and 4-hour loans ($1.00 per hour)
- 1-day, 3-day, 7-day loans, and all Recalled materials ($5.00 per day)
Equipment
- Projector
- 3-hour loan ($20/hour - $100 max)
- Pen Tablet, USB Microphone, iTalk Voice Recorder, etc.
- 4-hour loans ($2/hour - $40 max)
- Camcorder, Digital Camera, Digital Audio Recorder
- 1-day loans ($20/day - $100 max)
- Digital Cameras
- 3-day loans ($20/day - $100 max)
Damaged or Lost Materials
Borrowers are responsible for materials damaged or lost while on loan. All cases should be reported immediately to the Library. The minimum replacement fee for each lost or damaged item is $70.00, which includes a $20.00 processing fee. The Library reserves the right to adjust the replacement fee upward if it does not cover the price of the material. A borrower may replace a lost or damaged item with a copy acceptable to its holding library. In many cases this will be less expensive than the minimum replacement fee. If the borrower chooses this option the $20.00 processing fee will still be applied.
Paying Fines, Bills, or Fees
Fines, bills and processing fees may be paid at any circulation desk by check or money order. USCard, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover payments are accepted only at Leavey and Doheny. If bills for lost or damaged materials are not paid at the home library for those items, the owning library must first authorize the bill amount before payment can be accepted.
Academic Restrictions
Outstanding bills for overdue library or Interlibrary Loan materials may result in the revocation of library privileges until the issue is resolved. Furthermore, failure to settle unpaid fines within 30 days from the date issued will result in academic restrictions. Academic restrictions affect the borrower’s ability to register, and to obtain transcripts, reports, or diplomas.
Confidentiality
The Library will not release personal information about any borrower to any other individual or organization unless required to do so by law or University policy.
The Patriot Act, promulgated on October 26, 2001 in response to the events of September 11th, requires that the University offer federal agents, if requested and pursuant to a valid order, access to library patron account information. Additionally, the Patriot Act may also prohibit the University from disclosing to borrowers that they are currently the subject of an investigation by federal agents.
Access to Electronic Resources
Access to electronic databases, electronic journals, electronic books, and other research websites is for the exclusive use of USC students, faculty and staff. Electronic resources are governed by license agreements, and the terms of use are set by the publishers and vendors from which they are subscribed. Misuse of any resources may result in the withdrawal of a license for the entire campus, as well as possible penalties for the individual according to university regulations.
Downloads should be limited to a number commensurate with the user’s specific research needs. More information about usage guidelines can be found on the Electronic Resources Usage Guidelines web page. Information about how to get connected to the USC network can be found on the website for Information Technology Services.
Interlibrary Loan Services
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services work within a global network of institutions to borrow and lend materials that support the role and mission of the university. There is no charge or fee for using this service. USC Libraries Integrated Document Delivery department borrows books, dissertations, government documents, microforms and other materials for current USC students, staff and faculty that are not owned by USC, or are otherwise unavailable from USC's collection. Materials from the Health Sciences campus can also be requested through ILL by University Park Campus users.
Once received, ILL articles are made available online, and other materials are held at Doheny Library’s Information Services desk. To request an item, go to the Integrated Document Delivery page.
Approximate turn-around times for ILL requests are as follows:
- ILL Article Requests: 48-72 hours ILL Book Requests: 3-5 days
- Alumni, visiting scholars, fee and courtesy card holders are not eligible for ILL services.
USC’s Medical Library, Dental Library, and Law Library provide discrete interlibrary loan and document delivery services for their respective users. Please see details on their ILL/Doc. Delivery services pages:
- Norris Medical Library Services
- Jennifer Ann Wilson Dental Library Services
- Asa V. Call Law Library Services
Patrons with overdue items in the USC libraries system and/or the ILL system will be blocked from using the system and subject to late fees and replacement charges. Overdue Interlibrary Loan requests are subject to a $15.00 overdue fine per item. In addition, the patron's ILLiad account is blocked until the overdue fine is paid. Furthermore, requests in process received by IDD will not be delivered to the patron and attempts to re-register with the service will be rejected. Eligibility may also be affected by delinquent statuses with other USC service providers.
ILL items lost or not returned 30 days past the due date will be charged a flat $75.00 replacement fee. This replacement fee may be reduced to $15.00 if the item is returned promptly. Unfortunately, we cannot accept replacements for lost items. Overdue fines can be paid at any USC Library. Excessive or consistent overdue items and demonstrated abuse of the service will result in permanent suspension of ILL privileges.
Document Delivery Services
Document Delivery services provide electronic copies of articles and book chapters from USC-owned journals, books, and other materials. These documents are scanned and posted on a USC Libraries server for easy patron access. Currently, all USC faculty are eligible for electronic delivery of articles from USC-owned materials. Additionally, all students enrolled in distance education courses are eligible for Document Delivery services. There is no charge or fee for using this service at this time.
To request an item, go to the Integrated Document Delivery page. Please note that distance learners should register thier status as "distance users" when creating an account.
Faculty Proxy Privileges
Proxy borrower cards may be provided for those members of the faculty who have a need or find it convenient to have an assistant retrieve library materials for them. While library borrowing privileges are not transferable, faculty may request that a joint "proxy" borrower's account be issued to permit a designated second party to charge out library materials for the faculty member's use. A separate proxy borrower account must be requested for each individual authorized to borrow materials in the faculty member's name. The faculty member assumes full responsibility for all loans made on each proxy borrower account. Lack of response to recall and overdue notices for materials checked out by a proxy borrower may result in the suspension of both the delegated proxy borrowing privileges, and the faculty member's personal privileges.
For security purposes, faculty must obtain proxy borrower cards in person. At any library circulation desk, faculty may present a USC ID and ask to complete the "Request for Proxy Borrowing Privileges". This form must be submitted to a full-time staff member, as student library assistants do not have appropriate access to create a new borrower account. The Library will not issue a proxy borrower card if there are any stops on the faculty member's personal borrowing account, on any of their existing proxy borrower accounts, or on the intended proxy borrower's personal borrowing record.
Proxy borrower accounts are valid for one semester. Again for security purposes, faculty should request extensions for their proxy account privileges in person. It is the faculty member's responsibility to notify the Library if proxy borrowing privileges should be terminated to prevent unauthorized use of the card.
Library Equipment and Facilities Usage
All libraries are equipped with public computers for searching library databases (called Information Kiosk computers). These computers are networked to B&W/Color Photocopiers for printing as well. Many libraries also have additional computers with productivity software. Leavey Library has the largest number of both MAC and Windows computers in the Information Commons and Multimedia Commons. Other libraries have specialized equipment, such as: audio-visual players, document scanners, microform readers, digital cameras, audio recorders, video-conferencing equipment, etc.
Group study spaces, seminar rooms and auditoria can also be reserved for academic purposes. Spaces that can be reserved in advance exist in Leavey, Doheny, Architecture & Fine Arts, Science & Engineering, and VKC Applied Social Sciences.
Please see the general guidelines for facility and equipment usage on the Facilities Usage policies page. Information about using library spaces for filming purposes can also be found there. For more information and online requests, please see the Reserve A Library Space page.
USC Alumni and Emeriti Privileges
Alumni and emeriti may apply for borrowing privileges in person at any library circulation desk by presenting their USC Alumni Card or USC Emeriti Card, a photo ID, and updating their account information by completing a USC Library Card Request Form. For more information please contact the Alumni Association or the Emeriti Center.
Sponsored Visiting Scholar, VIP Guests, and Summer Program Participant Privileges
Visiting scholars, VIP guests, and summer program participants must be sponsored by an academic or administrative department. The requesting department will assume ultimate responsibility for materials borrowed, as well as the proper use of electronic resources, library facilities and equipment. Departments are encouraged to obtain USC IDs from the USCard Office while users are residence. This ID can be used to facilitate access and borrowing. Library privileges are granted on a semester basis, and a request to extend privileges must be made by the sponsor each semester.
Requests for privileges should be directred to the Director of Access Services.
Individual and Corporate Fee Borrower Privileges
Individual Fee-based privileges are available for Los Angeles-area residents at the rate of $125.00 for 6 months. Corporate privileges are available to Los Angeles-area businesses for $300.00 for 6 months. USC Libraries reserve the right to determine whether applicants qualify for individual or corporate privileges.
Students, faculty and staff from local colleges and universities may apply for a reduced fee at the rate of $25.00 for 6 months for currently enrolled students, and $50.00 for 6 months for currently employed faculty and staff. All applications are subject to review for approval.
Fees must be paid by check, money order or credit card, and privileges are not granted until after the payment has cleared. Individuals must apply for borrowing privileges in person at Doheny Memorial Library. They may do so by presenting a photo ID, completing a USC Library Card Request Form, and submitting a payment for the appropriate fee. Additional identification may be required. Students and faculty must show proof of current affiliation at their institutions.
Corporations may request privileges in writing by mailing a letter on corporate letterhead. The request should acknowledge full responsibility for the library account, and designate a specific individual who will be responsible for adherence to library policies. The application procedure must be repeated each semester, although borrowers in good standing may have their privileges extended immediately. Extension of privileges is never permitted if there are outstanding fines, bills for replacement, or stops on the borrower’s account.
Institutional Partnerships
USC Libraries participates in reciprocal access programs with the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and the Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium (SCELC). These agreements allow USC faculty to access library collections at the institutions listed below. Please note that borrowing privileges are determined by local institutional policies.
Please note that borrowing privileges are determined by local institutional policies. Faculty visiting USC Libraries from non-USC institutions will recieve "Visiting Scholar" privileges (see above) for 1 month.
Requests for access to other institutions by USC faculty (or to USC Libraries by non-USC faculty) should be directred to the Director of Access Services.
Local Affiliations
USC Libraries provides library access and borrowing privileges to faculty and students or researchers from the following institutions:
- Hebrew Union
- LA County Natural History Museum
- American Film Institute
USC Libraries also works with USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative to provide library access and borrowing privileges to local high school and college students through selected programs, as well as teachers from USC's Family of Schools and Partner Schools. For more information please contact the Neighborhood Academic Initiative.
Requests for Local Affiliation privileges should be directred to the Director of Access Services.