Library Circulation Policies
Brownsville: (956) 882-8221
Edinburg: (956) 665-2005
Fall and Spring Library Borrowing Privileges
Library privileges are available in Fall and Spring to enrolled students and currently employed faculty/staff.
Summer Library Borrowing Privileges
Library privileges are available in summer to enrolled students and currently employed faculty/staff. The Library also extends summer privileges UTRGV students, who were enrolled for Spring, but who may not be enrolled for the summer sessions.
Borrowing
To borrow material from the UTRGV Library, present your UTRGV ID card. Your ID card must be presented each time you borrow. There are NO exceptions to this requirement.
You are responsible for all items charged to your record. Borrowers are responsible also for notifying the Library of a change of address and/or phone number.
Notify the Circulation Desk (please refer to the numbers at the top of the page) if your card is lost or stolen.
Library loan periods for all borrowers are subject to change as affected by library hours and ending of semester. Please verify your checkout receipt for actual due dates and/or view your account online.
In order to check books out, you must have no overdue books and materials or fines. If you have an overdue books or materials or unpaid fines, then the Library may place a hold on the student's transcript or employee's separation. All fines must be paid for in full before the hold is removed.
Upon presentation of written authorization and personal identification, borrowers will be allowed to use someone else's UTRGV ID card.
The Circulation department will not hold Library books for patrons overnight. Books can be held at the Circulation department for a maximum of two hours when a patron forgets to bring his/her personal ID card. No other department in the Library is authorized to hold circulating books for patrons.
Course Reserves
Course Reserves are materials for class assignments that are placed on reserve at the University Library by faculty and teaching assistants. Reserve materials can be found by searching for the course title or by instructor's name via the library catalog.
Guidelines for Students
- Course reserve material may be checked out and returned to the first floor service located at the entrance of the Library.
- An institutional photo identification card (UTRGV ID card) must be presented in person to check out Reserve materials.
- Reserve material is checked out for 2 hours (Library Use Only).
- Late fees begin to accumulate immediately if materials are not returned at the specified time or date, including any part of any hour past the due time.
- Overdue materials are charged at a rate of $0.50/hour for materials with less than a 24-hour checkout.
- Library Use Only materials are due back and do not circulate within 1 hour of the library closing.
Guidelines for Faculty/Staff
Instructors may use the online forms to place materials on reserve. Please be informed that all items placed on course reserve will be 2 hour use - Library use only. Materials will be processed on a first come, first serve basis and require a maximum of 24 hours to process.
Library Privacy Policy
Library staff will preserve the confidentiality of patron records. This is in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579). No information will be given to a third party about the name of another patron who has checked out material. If books or media are checked out, patrons have the right to request that a hold or a recall be placed upon the material, or in special cases, library staff will contact the current borrower to see if the item can be returned early. The only possible exceptions to this policy will be in response to a court order. Requests of this nature should go to the Library Administration.
Lost Books
The hold will be removed once the student has returned the book and paid the fee. Library patrons will be charged a lost book fee determined by Library of Congress Call Number as per UT System Board of Regents. Prices are determined by the Average North American Academic Book prices as listed in the latest edition of the Library and Book Trade Almanac. Book prices will be updated biannually (every even year.)
Lost Cards
Library patrons who have lost their ID card must notify library personnel immediately so a "lost" hold can be placed on their patron record. Books may not be checked out without a UTRGV ID card. New ID cards may be purchased at the Academic Services Building, room 1.101. Public patrons and TexShare members must also notify library personnel immediately if they have lost their ID card. Since photographs do not appear on these special cards, they may be used by anyone. The cardholder, however, is responsible for all books checked out on his card. When a loss has been reported, a "lost ID" message will be placed on the patron's record and a new card will be issued by the Circulation Department. Thereafter, patron will have to show a picture ID.
Missing Materials
Can't locate a book which has an "Available" status? Go to the Circulation Desk and fill out a missing card. The Circulation staff will conduct daily searches for a period of six months. Once a book is located, you will be contacted and will have two days in which to pick up the book. After the two days, the book will be returned to the collection.
Overdue Materials
Materials are due on the date indicated on the date due receipt. The Library is not responsible for notifying borrowers of overdue materials. Fines on overdue circulating books in stack area is $0.25 per day per book. Fines and fees need to be paid at the Circulation Desk with cash, check or credit card. Fines can be paid by phone if using a credit card. A "hold" will be placed on borrower's record if they have overdue material and/or outstanding fines. A "hold" will prevent a student from obtaining transcripts. If materials are not returned, the Library will send up to three overdue notices. If materials are not returned after the third notice, they are considered "lost" and the borrower will be billed for the lost material. Overdue library notices are sent as a courtesy. The Library is NOT responsible for late or non-delivery of notices. Please advise the Library of a change in your address, or telephone number to avoid not receiving notifications about your account.
Policy by Borrower Category
Undergraduate Students: All enrolled students who present their personal UTRGV ID card, and have no overdue books or outstanding fines, may check out an unlimited number of books for a period of two weeks. Books may be renewed as long as there is not a "hold" on them by another patron.
Doctoral, Graduate and Honor Students: Graduate and Honor students who present their personal UTRGV ID card, and have no overdue books or outstanding fines, may check out an unlimited number of books for a period of one month. After two weeks, these books are subject to recall in by the Circulation staff upon request from another patron. Books may be renewed as long as the patron has no overdue books and/or outstanding fines.
Faculty/Staff: Faculty/Staff who present their personal UTRGV ID card, and have no overdue books, may check out an unlimited number of books for a period of four months. After two weeks, these books are subject to recall by the Circulation staff upon request from another patron. Faculty/Staff must clear with the Library before leaving the University.
Teaching Assistant (Part-Time Faculty): Part-time faculty who present their personal UTRGV ID card, and have no overdue books or outstanding fines, may borrow an unlimited number of books for a period of one month. After two weeks, these books are subject to recall by the Circulation staff upon request from another patron. Books may be renewed as long as the patron has no overdue books or outstanding fines. All books must be returned at the end of their employment contract.
Retired Faculty/Staff: Retired faculty who present their personal UTRGV Retired ID card, and have no overdue books or outstanding fines, may check out an unlimited number of books for a period of four months. After two weeks, these books are subject to recall by the Circulation staff upon request from another patron. Books may be renewed as long as the patron has no overdue books or outstanding fines.
Emeritus Faculty: Emeritus faculty who present their emeritus faculty ID card, and have no overdue books, may check out an unlimited number of books for a period of four months. After two weeks, these books are subject to recall by the Circulation staff upon request from another patron. Books may be renewed as long as the patron has no overdue books.
Community Borrowers (Public Patrons): Members of the general public who are interested in obtaining a UTRGV Public Patron card must be at least 18 years of age with a valid U.S. or state government ID (driver's license, etc.). The annual fee is $25.00. Your Public Patron card must be presented each time you borrow or renew books. Public patrons may borrow up to five books for a period of 30 days. Books may be renewed as long as patron has no overdue or outstanding fines. Borrower will be responsible for all items charged to your card. It is the borrower's responsibility to notify the Circulation Desk (please refer to the numbers at the top of the page) if your card is lost or stolen. Applications are available at the main desks located on the first floor of each library.
TexShare Patrons (faculty and students): You must present a Texas Higher Education TexShare Library card and a photo ID. Upon presentation of required identification, the Circulation department will issue you a UTRGV Library card. Presentation of this card will be required when checking out and/or renewing books. There are no exceptions to this requirement. Cards may be renewed upon presentation of a new TexShare card each semester. Upon presentation of Library card patrons may borrow give books for a period of 30 days and may renew books as long as they have no overdue books or outstanding fines.
TexShare Public: You must present a TexShare public library card and a valid U.S. or state government ID (driver's license, etc.). TexShare cardholder must be 18 years of age or older. Upon presentation of required identification, the Circulation department will issue you a UTRGV Library card. With the issued card, patrons may borrow up to five books for a period of 30 days and may renew books as long as they have no overdue books or outstanding fines. Presentation of this card will be required when checking out and/or renewing books. There are no exceptions to this requirement. Cards may be renewed upon presentation of a new TexShare card.
Visiting Scholar: Visiting Scholars who present their UTRGV ID card, and have no overdue books may check out an unlimited number of books for a period of four months. After two weeks, these books are subject to recall by the Circulation staff upon request from another patron. Books may be renewed as long as the patron has no overdue books. Requestor/Project Manager requesting library privileges for Visiting Scholar will need to fill out and submit the Visiting Scholars Authorization Form.
Renewing Materials
In order to renew material, you must have no overdue books or fines. Materials that have been requested by others may not be renewed.
In-Person Renewal: Present circulating materials at the Circulation Desk.
On-line Renewals: Most materials if not overdue may be renewed on-line through the Library Catalog. To renew items log into your Library Card account and follow instructions. Make sure that the system has successfully renewed the item and observe the new due date. Some materials are not eligible for online renewal.
Phone Renewals: Library materials which are not overdue may be renewed by telephone by calling us (please refer to the numbers at the top of the page).
Requesting Materials
Patron requests are available for library materials located at another campus with an "Available" status. Patron holds are available for items checked out to another patron with a "Date Due" status. You may place a request or hold online using the library catalog, by clicking the "Request" link for the desired item and log into your library account using your UTRGV email address and password. (Please note: Not all items in the catalog offer the request feature including library use only and electronic materials.)
IMPORTANT: This is not an on-demand or rush service. Please allow time for items to be retrieved by library staff (usually 12-24 hours) and for intercampus mail delivery when items are located at other campus libraries (usually 2-3 days). Patron requests for library materials are paged daily Monday – Friday. Therefore, if you require items urgently, we recommend that you travel in person to the library where the materials are located in order to retrieve them personally for check out.
- Only online requests will be accepted. Requests are not accepted by telephone, email, or on a walkup basis.
- All borrowers with current checkout privileges are eligible to use this service. View your library account for any outstanding fines or overdue books before placing your requests.
- Your UTRGV ID is required for pick up and check out of requested materials.
- Requests cannot exceed five (5) items. If more than 5 items are needed, then we recommend that you travel in person to the library where they are located to check out the material.
- Non-circulating items are not eligible for request, such as course reserve items, electronic devices, and Archives and Special Collections material.
- If the item you need cannot be located within the library or its collections, then you may contact the Interlibrary Loan Department to request the book from another lending library.
Returning Materials
Books should be returned to the Circulation Desk bookdrop located at the right hand side of the counter, or the outside bookdrop located on the north side entrance of the Library. Books may also be returned to the Circulation Desk in person. Audio visual and media material must be returned to the Circulation Desk in person. Upon request, Circulation staff will print out a receipt for returned material. Borrowers are responsible for Library material until it is checked in at the Circulation Desk. Borrowers are also responsible for responding promptly to Library notices. If you returned your Library material but are still receiving overdue notices, contact the Library immediately and ask the Library staff to search for the book. Library staff will search for the book every day for six months or until it is found; in the meantime, the material is still checked out in the borrower's name, and the borrower remains responsible for the book. We will not waive fees for late books found in the Library by patrons after receiving the fourth notice (billed status).
TexShare Cards
The TexShare Library Card Program
The TexShare Library Card Program provides free reciprocal borrowing privileges to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff of Texas colleges and universities and participating public libraries. The intent of the program is to promote and facilitate direct access to information among the TexShare Library communities.
Obtaining a TexShare Card
Individuals requesting TexShare cards must be currently enrolled and/or employed by the University. Individuals with overdue books and/or outstanding fees will need to settle their account before they can participate in this Program. TexShare cards issued to faculty and staff members expire August 31 of the current fiscal year. TexShare cards issued to students are valid for the current semester. Cards can be obtained at the Circulation Desk on the First Floor. Take your TexShare card and a photo ID to another TexShare institution in order to receive borrowing privileges at the institution. If you have overdue books checked out on your TexShare card, the UTRGV Library will place a hold on your academic record.
Responsibilities of TexShare Borrowers
You must present a Texas Higher Education TexShare Library card and a photo ID. Upon presentation of required identification, the Circulation department will issue you a UTRGV Library card. Presentation of this card will be required when checking out and/or renewing books. There are no exceptions to this requirement. Cards may be renewed upon presentation of a new TexShare card each semester. Upon presentation of Library card, patrons may borrow five books for a period of 30 days and may renew books as long as they have no overdue books or outstanding fines.
