Borrowing & Circulation
Checking out Materials
Your Biola ID is your library card. You must have it with you to check out materials, place holds or renew items. You may not check out items using another patron's card.
You may check out and renew books using the SelfCheck machine, but all media must be checked out at the Circulation Desk.
Reference books, periodicals, curriculum, indexes, atlases, archive materials, and microforms are non-circulating and may not be checked out.
Library patrons may check out a maximum of the following number of items based on their patron status:
| Patron Status | Books | Media | Reserves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biola students and staff | 25 | 5 | 3 |
| Biola faculty | 50 | 10 | 3 |
| Courtesy Card holders (including Alumni, Clergy, Reciprocal students, and Community Members) | 10 | 3 | 0 |
Library materials are checked out to most patrons for the following loan periods:
- Circulating books: 3 Weeks
- Videos and DVD's: 3 Days
- CD's and Audio Cassettes: 1 Week
- Check out times for Reserve materials vary. Most are checked out for two hours, but some may be checked out two hours before the library closes and due two hours after the next opening. Check the Reserves Desk for details.
Returns and Renewals
Return all books and media to the return slot at the Circulation Desk or to the separate return slots outside the library. If any media items are damaged because they are returned in book drops, you will be charged for the replacement.
Renewals can be made online or in the library by using the SelfCheck machine or going to the Circulation Desk. You may not renew an item if the item is excessively overdue, on hold for another patron, or if you have unpaid fines or charges.
All library materials may be renewed once if not overdue or needed by another patron. Renewals can be requested at the Circulation Desk or placed online.
No renewals may be made by telephone or by a third party. See Circulation Desk for additional information.
Overdues, Fines, Damaged or Lost Materials
All patrons are responsible to check their Library Account online via the Library Catalog for due dates and to view any outstanding fines, fees and/or charges. We send courtesy overdue and fine notices within four days after the due date or returned date; however, failure to receive a notice does not exempt you from the charges.
Overdues
If you have items overdue for more than 20 days, your borrowing privileges will be blocked until resolved.
Fines
If you have unpaid fines for over 30 days, the total of any unpaid fines plus a $10.00 non-refundable billing fee will be charged to your library account.
| Books | Media | Reserves |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 days late: No fine | $1 per day per barcode (no days of grace) | $0.50 per hour per item each open hour (no hours/days of grace) |
| 3+ days late: $0.25 per day per book (from due date) |
Damaged Items
The amount of damage to an item will be assessed by library staff and a fee will be charged to your library account. The average fee for a damaged item is $25.00.
Lost Items
If a library item is lost, you will be held responsible for replacing the item. The minimum replacement cost for a lost item is $50.00. See Julie Ellis, public services librarian, for more information.
Billings for Unreturned Items and Unpaid Fines
If your fines or replacement charges are not paid at the Circulation Desk by the 7th day of each month, charges as outlined below will be billed to your library account.
- The cost of replacing any unreturned item is a minimum of $50 (replacement cost + processing fee) plus a non-refundable billing fee of $10.00 per unreturned item. If the item is returned within three months, the replacement charge minus the accrued fine may be credited back to your library account. The $10.00 billing fee is not credited.
- The total of any fines unpaid for more than 30 days plus a $10.00 non-refundable billing fee is charged to your library account.
How to Access Your Library Account Online
You may access your library account online via the Library Catalog.
See How to Access Your Biola Library Account, available both at the Reference Desk and Circulation Desk for more information on setting up your online library account.
Your online library account allows you to place holds on items that are checked out or not yet available, view the items you currently have checked out, renew items that are not overdue, and view any outstanding fines/charges on your account. You may also view the status of your LINK+ requests and request renewals.