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Library Circulation Policy

Library Circulation Policy

Material Loans

Course Reserves

  • Course Reserves are materials selected by faculty for their students to check out for limited periods of time. Course Reserves are for classes that are being taught in the current semester and are designed to increase course material access and affordability for students. 

  • Course Reserves provide students with another option for accessing course material that may be difficult to find or purchase due to time constraints, cost, or other factors. 

  • For Instructors:

    • Fill out the Course Reserve Request Form to request materials be put on reserve for the semester. Requests submitted by each semester’s deadline will receive priority.

    • Instructors must request that materials be placed on Course Reserve every semester. Materials will not be placed on Course Reserve automatically.

    • LITS staff cannot copy physical materials to be placed on reserve.

    • Interlibrary loan materials cannot be placed on reserve. 

    • Materials that the library does not currently own may be requested through the Purchase Request Form.

    • Contact the Circulation Desk Coordinator to discuss placing personal materials on reserve.

  • For Students:

    • Physical Course Reserves are kept behind the InfoDesk and may be requested from an InfoDesk worker by title, course number, and instructor name. 

    • Digital Course Reserves (ebooks) can be accessed through the Course Reserves catalog page.

    • Materials must be checked out with a student ID and returned by the end of the loan period. Refer to Fines and Fees policy for information on unreturned materials.

    • The patron assumes responsibility for the materials until returned to the InfoDesk.

    • Materials on reserve are listed on the Course Reserves catalog page. 

Holds

  • You can request that a material be held for you by placing a hold. To place a hold, find the item in the catalog and click the “hold” button while logged in to your library account. Availability of the material will depend on whether the item is checked out, the number of other holds on the item, and other factors.

  • When a hold is available for pickup, you will receive a notification email asking you to check out the item from the InfoDesk.

  • Holds that are not checked out will expire after 15 days, and the material will be returned to the collection.

  • Media equipment, digital materials, and non-circulating materials cannot be put on hold.

Recall

  • When material is recalled, the due date is changed by the library. Recalled items should be returned to Morse Library as soon as possible to avoid lost/missing materials fines. There are several reasons this happens:

    • The item is long overdue. 

    • The item is needed for Course Reserves. 

    • At the discretion of LITS staff.

Technology Loans

  • Morse Library has a variety of technology available for checkout. 

  • Technology cannot be placed on hold and is available on a first come, first served basis.

  • To check out media and technology, patrons can ask for an item at the InfoDesk. 

  • The patron must complete the technology liability form to check out technology. 

  • Loan limits vary based on type of technology.

Non-Circulating Materials

  • Materials, including but not limited to the following, are not available for checkout or use outside of the library. Contact libref@beloit.edu for questions about non-circulating materials.

    • Archival and Special Collections Material 

    • GovDocs

    • Bound Journals and Periodicals

    • Microfilm and Microfiche

    • Reference Material

    • Current Periodicals, Magazines, and Newspapers

    • Zines

    • Puzzles

 

Interlibrary Loans

Due Dates

The due date of interlibrary loan materials is determined by the lending library, not Morse Library. This date is displayed on the label attached to the front of the borrowed material. Renewals may be allowed but need to be approved by the lending library.

Fines and Fees

Lending libraries may charge fines or fees for overdue, lost, and/or damaged interlibrary loan materials. Borrowers are responsible for reimbursing Morse Library for any fines or fees accrued. 

Access

Morse Library’s interlibrary loan system is available to Beloit students, faculty, staff, and emeriti. We are not able to process interlibrary loan requests for guest patrons.

Copyright & Fair Use Guidelines

Morse Library is not responsible for copyright infringement by patrons. You are responsible for ensuring copyright compliance.

For more information on copyright and fair use, visit the American Library Association's guide to copyright. If you have additional questions about copyright and/or fair use, email libref@beloit.edu.

 

Beloit Student, Faculty, Staff, and Emeriti Access

Beloit Students, faculty, staff, and emeriti are able to check out available materials from Morse Library using their Beloit College ID card. Materials can be checked out at the InfoDesk or using a self-checkout kiosk.

Beloit Students can: 

  • Borrow up to 100 books at a time. Books can be borrowed for 30 days.

  • Borrow Course Reserves. Course Reserve loan limits are set by instructors.

  • Borrow up to 5 games at a time. Games can be borrowed for 3 days.

  • Borrow up to 25 DVDs at a time. DVDs can be borrowed for 5 days.

  • Borrow up to 5 LPs at a time. LPs can be borrowed for 14 days. 

  • Request up to 20 items through interlibrary loan at a time. Interlibrary loan dates are determined by the loaning library.

  • Renew materials, unless another patron has placed a hold on an item or the item has reached the maximum number of renewals.

  • Use Morse Library computer labs and library databases with your Beloit College login.

  • Print, scan, and copy with your Beloit College ID card, Beloit College login, or printing pin code (find your printing pin code with this link on campus: https://itweb.beloit.edu/pin/ ).

Beloit Faculty, Staff, and Emeriti can:

  • Borrow up to 100 books at a time. Books can be borrowed for one semester.

  • Borrow Course Reserves. Course Reserve loan limits are set by instructors.

  • Borrow up to 5 games at a time. Games can be borrowed for 3 days.

  • Borrow up to 25 DVDs at a time. DVDs can be borrowed for one semester.

  • Borrow up to 5 LPs at a time. LPs can be borrowed for one semester. 

  • Request up to 20 items through interlibrary loan at a time. Interlibrary loan dates are determined by the loaning library.

  • Renew materials, unless another patron has placed a hold on an item or the item has reached the maximum number of renewals.

  • Use Morse Library computer labs and library databases with your Beloit College login.

  • Print, scan, and copy with your Beloit College ID card, Beloit College login, or printing pin code (find your printing pin code with this link on campus: https://itweb.beloit.edu/pin/ ).

 

Guest Access

Morse Library welcomes Beloit College alumni and community members as guests to have the following privileges during community access hours. Guests can apply for a community card by visiting the InfoDesk on the second floor of the library and completing an application. Community cards allow you to check out materials from the Morse Library collection at the InfoDesk or using a self-checkout kiosk. Morse Library guests must follow all applicable policies when on library premises.

Community cardholders can:

  • Borrow up to 10 books at a time. Books can be borrowed for 30 days.

  • Borrow up to 5 DVDs at a time. DVDs can be borrowed for 5 days.

  • Borrow up to 5 LPs at a time. LPs can be borrowed for 14 days. 

  • Renew materials, unless another patron has placed a hold on an item or the item has reached the maximum number of renewals.

  • Recalled items must be returned immediately.

  • Use the public access computer to browse the library catalog and some library databases.

Guests cannot:

  • Check out Course Reserves, magazines, or media/IT equipment.

  • Use the printer or scanner.

  • Request items through interlibrary loan.

  • Use campus computer labs other than the designated public access computer.

Fines and Fees

Morse Library is fine-free for short-term overdue materials. The following fees may apply to cardholders:

  • Lost & Damaged Items: Long overdue and/or damaged items will be considered lost and will be billed accordingly. If you find the material and return it before the item has been replaced, your account may be credited at staff discretion. Returned items that were replaced will not be refunded.

  • Multimedia Equipment: In the event that equipment is lost or returned in damaged condition, the patron will be charged for the repair or replacement of the item. Review the Technology / Equipment policy for more details.

  • Interlibrary Loan Items: Lending institutions may charge fines for overdue, lost, and/or damaged interlibrary loan materials. The patron will be responsible for paying these fines. 

Fees will be added to Beloit College student accounts. All other cardholders will be billed directly by Beloit College.