Borrowing & Circulation

A Biola ID, Alumni Association ID or other Biola library card is required for library entrance and borrowing. The type of card applied for will determine the level of access and borrowing privileges. To apply for a library card, see Library Access. To view borrowing privileges for all user types, see the Borrowing Privileges Chart.

Library users should bring their physical or mobile ID card to check out library materials in person at the Information Desk. Reference material, periodicals, course reserves and archival material may only be used within the library and cannot be checked out. See the Borrowing Privileges Chart for more information.

Checked out library material can be renewed online or in person. An item may not be renewed if the user has excessive overdue items, library fees to be paid, or the item is on hold for another user. Items renewed the maximum number of times must be returned to the library or brought to the Information Desk to be checked out again. See the Borrowing Privileges Chart for more information.

Checked out items may be returned to the library in person or through the mail. Book drops are located inside the library and outside the library near the accessibility ramp. To mail an item back to the library, use the following address:

Biola University Library
Attention: Access Services Department
13800 Biola Ave
La Mirada, CA 90639

My Library Account is used for viewing material checked out, renewing items and viewing library charges.

Students, staff, faculty, and visiting scholars may request items to be held for pickup or mailed to their home (within the U.S.). Checked out items may also be requested, and will be placed on hold or mailed when available. See Library Pick-up Service or Mail to Home Service for more information.

Biola students, staff, faculty, faculty emeriti and board members are eligible for ILL services. If the material is unavailable through the Biola library, it can be requested from another library. Book chapters and articles only available in a print format can also be requested through ILL and will be delivered digitally. All other items must be picked up in person at the Biola Library.

See Use Interlibrary Loan for more information.

All users are responsible to check their library account for due dates and to view any outstanding fines, fees or charges. As a courtesy, circulation and billing notices are sent via email. However, failure to receive a notice does not exempt the user from being charged.

Overdue Material

The Biola Library no longer charges overdue fines for Biola-owned material. However, overdue ILL items incur a $1/day per item fine. See Interlibrary Loan Policy for more information.

Damaged and Lost Material

If an item is overdue for four weeks, it is assumed lost. If the user does not return the item within two weeks, they will be charged a fee of $120 for replacement. If an item is excessively damaged, the user will be charged the same fee of $120 for replacement. Charges for damaged or lost Interlibrary Loan material are determined by the lending library.

Paying Library Charges

A block will be placed on library accounts with unpaid charges of $20 or more. The user will not be permitted to borrow material until the charges are paid. Library charges may be paid by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover or Apple Pay) through the Online Payment Center. Payments made online are posted by the next business day. To continue borrowing material immediately, an email confirming the payment may be shown to the Information Desk. Library charges accrued by Biola students and not paid within 30 days will be transferred to the student’s school account, along with a $10 billing fee. A block will be placed on the student’s account and no library material may be checked out or renewed until the amount is paid. Billing procedures for other library users may vary.