Circulation/Reserves
Borrowing Privileges
Students
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Fall and Spring Library Privileges
- Library privileges are available in Fall and Spring semesters to enrolled UTRGV students only.
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Summer Library Privileges
- Library privileges are available in summer to enrolled students. The Library also extends summer privileges to The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley students who were enrolled for the Spring semester, but who may not be enrolled for Summer sessions.
Faculty/Staff
- Library privileges are available to all currently employed UTRGV Faculty and Staff
Borrowing Materials
There are two general requirements for library borrowing privileges:
- You must present your active and valid UTRGV identification or University Library card each time you wish to borrow materials using your library account.
- Your library account must be in good standing to borrow materials.
- Library accounts in good standing are unexpired and clear of fees, fines, and overdue materials.
- Unpaid fines and overdue materials could result in a hold on your academic record.
IMPORTANT: Library loan periods for all borrowers are subject to change without notice due to account expiration dates, end of semester, or library hours of operation. We recommend you verify your Loan Receipt Letter (checkout receipt), which is automatically sent to your email account for due dates and routinely check your Library Card account online. You are responsible for all items charged to and checked out on your library account. Therefore, it is your responsibility as the borrower to notify us immediately:
- If you lose your UTRGV identification or library card.
- If your address changes.
- If your phone number changes.
You may wish to refer to our Circulation Policies page for more detailed information.
FAQs
Q: What if I have an overdue book or unpaid fine?
A: You will not be able to check out materials. All materials must be returned and fines must be paid in full, or a hold could be placed on your academic record. These holds will be removed as soon as the library account is clear.
Q: Can I checkout library books for someone else?
A: Upon presentation of written authorization and personal identification of the borrower, a third party may be allowed to use someone else's UTRGV ID to check out materials on the borrower's behalf.
Q: What if I forget my ID?
A: You will not be able to check out materials. The Circulation/Reserves department will hold materials for up to two hours on your behalf. Library materials will not be held overnight.
Q: How will I know when my library materials are due?
A: You will receive a Loan Receipt Letter email listing items checked out to you along with their due date. You may also sign in online to your Library Card to check due dates. Borrower Types and Terms (below) outline specific borrowing periods for users.
Borrower Types & Terms
| Borrower Type | Identification Required for Checkout | # Materials Allowed for Checkout | Borrowing Period | Additional Terms/Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Students | UTRGV ID | Unlimited books | 30 days | |
| Graduate Students | UTRGV ID | Unlimited books | 30 days | |
| Doctoral Students | UTRGV ID | Unlimited books | 120 days | |
| Faculty/Staff | UTRGV ID | Unlimited books | 120 days | UTRGV faculty and staff must clear with Library before separation from University |
| Emeritus Faculty | Emeritus Faculty ID | Unlimited books | 120 days | |
| Part-time Faculty/Staff | UTRGV ID | Unlimited books | 120 days | Must return materials at end of employment contract and clear with Library before separation from University |
| Retired Faculty/Staff | UTRGV Retired ID | Unlimited books | 120 days | Must present UTRGV retiree card. Please obtain card from V OneCard Office. |
| Visiting Scholars & Special Assignment Staff | UTRGV ID | Unlimited books | 120 days | Departmental Requestor/Project Manager must submit authorization for "Library Check-Out Privileges for Visiting Scholars." |
| Community Borrowers | UTRGV Public Patron Card | 5 books | 30 days | UTRGV Public Patron Card issued to adults (18 years+) who present approved federal or state photo identification and submit a Public Patron Card application. Annual fee: $25.00. |
| TexShare Patrons | UTRGV Library Card | 5 books | 30 days | UTRGV Library card issued to faculty and students who present a Texas Higher Education TexShare or TexShare Public Library Card and approved federal or state photo identification. UTRGV Library Card renewable each semester with a new TexShare card. |
| Alumni Patrons | UTRGV Alumni Card | 5 books | 30 days | Must present UTRGV Alumni Card. Please obtain card from Alumni Relations. |
Still have questions? Contact us:
- Brownsville: (956) 882-8221
- Edinburg: (956) 665-2005
- Harlingen: (956) 296-1500
Circulation Renewing Materials
Materials can be renewed online, by phone and in person if:
- The items are not yet due.
- Your library account is in good standing.
- The materials have not been requested or recalled by another user.
Renew Online
Materials that are not overdue may be renewed online by signing into your Library Card account online, using your UTRGV email credentials.
Renew In Person
Visit the library Circulation Desk and present your UTRGV ID or library card and the materials you wish to renew.
Renew by Phone
Contact us by phone and be prepared to provide your UTRGV ID or library card number.
- Brownsville: (956) 882-8221
- Edinburg: (956) 665-2005
- Harlingen: (956) 296-1500
FAQs
Q: When can I renew library materials?
A: Library materials can be renewed one week after checkout. You cannot immediately renew library materials.
Q: Why am I unable to renew library materials via my Library Card online?
A: Please call Circulation as soon as possible for more information, as there are several reasons why library materials may not be renewed online, including but not limited to, items are already overdue, items have been requested by another borrower, or your library account is expiring.
- Brownsville: (956) 882-8221
- Edinburg: (956) 665-2005
- Harlingen: (956) 296-1500
Circulation Requesting Materials
You may request items via the Library Catalog that are currently located at another campus or checked out to another patron. You must present your UTRGV ID or library card to check out requested materials.
- Patron requests are available for library materials located at another campus with an "In Place" status.
- Patron holds are available for items checked out to another patron with a "Not in Place" status.
- Materials are requested online only. Phone, email and walk-up requests may not be accepted.
- IMPORTANT: This is not an on-demand or rush service as intercampus mail delivery may take several days.
Most materials (but not all) can be requested by logging into the Library Card feature of the library's catalog. UTRGV users may log in using their UTRGV credentials (email address and password). Non-UTRGV Borrowers login using your library barcode.
Non-circulating items are not eligible for request, such as course reserve items, electronic devices, and Archives and Special Collections material.
You may wish to refer to our Circulation Policies page for more detailed information.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to receive my requested materials?
A: Time must be allowed for items to be returned by the current borrower (possibly several days) or retrieved by library staff (usually 1 business day). Please allow time at least 24 hours for on campus requests and 3-5 days for intercampus requests.
If you need the items right away, then we recommend that you travel in person to the library where the materials are located in order to retrieve them personally for check out.
Q: How many items can I request?
A: Requests cannot exceed five (5) items. If more than five items are needed, then we recommend that you travel in person to the library where they are located to check out the material.
Q: What if I placed a request, but it does not appear in my Library Card online account?
A: If you did not pick up your requested materials within the specified time period, then the request may have been canceled and you would have received a Request Cancel Email. Contact the Circulation department for assistance.
Circulation Returning Materials
When you return materials to the library you will receive a Return Receipt Letter via email listing the items returned. As a borrower, you are responsible for all library materials and equipment until it is checked in by a library staff member and cleared from your library account. Therefore, the library recommends renewing materials online or by phone until items can be returned.
Print Materials
Books should be returned inside the library at the 1st floor service desk to the book drop or given to a library staff member for check-in. Book drops are also located immediately outside the library for after-hours returns.
Media and Equipment
Audio visual materials and media devices must be returned in person to the service desk.
FAQs
Q. I checked out materials from Edinburg. Can I return them in Brownsville or Harlingen?
A. Library materials and equipment may be returned or renewed at any of our campus locations, including the University Library Brownsville and Edinburg, or the Ramirez Library in Harlingen.
Q. What if I cannot find a book that is coming due?
A. If the item is not yet due, then you should renew the item immediately either in person, over the phone, or online. This will help you avoid overdue fines while you locate the book.
Still have questions? Contact us:
- Brownsville: (956) 882-8221
- Edinburg: (956) 665-2005
- Harlingen: (956) 296-1500
Overdue Materials
Materials are due back on the date indicated in the Loan Receipt Letter email or online via Library Card sign in. There is a five day grace period for circulating books from our Library General Collections, but overdue fines will accumulate daily. The fine is $0.25 per day per book.
NOTE: Fines for Special Collections and Fines for Equipment may vary.
Fines and fees can be paid in person at the Circulation Desk with cash, check, or credit card. Fines can also be paid by phone if using a credit card. (Online fines payments are not accepted.) The cash register closes two hours before the library closing.
The library is not responsible for notifying borrowers of overdue materials. However, the library will send up to three overdue notices (see below) before considering an item lost.
The borrower's library account will be blocked for any overdue or lost materials and/or outstanding library fines or fees, which may prevent the subsequent use of library materials, resources, and services. The University may also place a hold on the borrower's University account for outstanding library materials, fines, or fees.
Contact: Library Circulation
- Brownsville: (956) 882-8221
- Edinburg: (956) 665-2005
- Harlingen: (956) 296-1500
Library Notices
Borrowers are responsible for responding promptly to library notifications of materials coming due and/or overdue. If you are receiving library notifications for materials you have already returned, then please contact the library immediately to place initial the Claims Returned process. Library staff will conduct daily searches in the library for up to 30 days or until it is found. The material remains on the borrower's library account until the item is located. If the item is not found within 30 days, then the borrower will be charged the lost replacement fee. The library will not waive fees for late books found in the library by patrons after receiving the fourth notice (lost item). Refunds will not be issued.
You may wish to refer to our Circulation Policies page for more detailed information.
FAQs
Q: What if my book is overdue, but I still need use it?
A: Contact the Circulation Desk to see if the item can be renewed.
Q: What if I cannot afford to pay my fines or fees?
A: Return materials early or on time to avoid penalties. If you cannot afford to pay your library fines or fees, then please contact the Circulation Desk to make payment arrangements.
Q: What if I received a library notice for materials that I have already returned?
A: If you are receiving library notifications for materials you have already returned, then please contact the library immediately.
Q: What if I did not know the book was overdue?
A: It is the borrower's responsibility to know the due date/time for any library materials, media, or equipment checked out their account. The library recommends confirming due dates/times by checking your Library Card account online or contacting the library Circulation desk by phone or in person.
