Circulation Policies
Term Definitions
BrowsingNew/popular browsing collection
Children's CollectionChildren's literature collection
Circulating Item can be checked out and taken outside the library
Course Reserves Course materials placed on reserve by instructors. Print materials are available at the Access Services desk. May be print, electronic, or both.
DocumentsGovernment documents collection
H.E.P.High School Equivalency Program participants
JournalsPrint periodicals/journals
Loeb Reference Collection A collection of Greek and Latin texts with English translations. Circulates for Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ users only.
Main StacksGeneral circulating book collection
MicroformsMicrofilm and microfiche materials — in-library use only
Non-CircNon-circulating — for in-library use only; cannot be checked out
OLLIOsher Lifelong Learning Institute members
Reference CollectionReference materials (encyclopedias, indexes, etc.) — in-library use only
Special CollectionsSpecial Collections & Archives materials — in-library use only
TexShareTexas State Library TexShare card holders
Video/CD/DVDAudiovisual media
Western Fiction Collection Western fiction. For in-library use only.
Non-Circulating Items
The following items are available for in-library use only and cannot be checked out. They do not appear in the loan period tables below.
Non-Circulating for All Users
| Item Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Microforms | For in-library use only. Includes microfilm and microfiche materials. |
| Reference Collection | For in-library use only. Includes encyclopedias, indexes, and similar reference materials. |
| Special Collections | For in-library use only. Advanced appointments for research projects are encouraged. |
| Western Fiction Collection | For in-library use only. Built on a core of books collected by writer and English professor C. L. Sonnichsen. |
Non-Circulating for Specific User Groups
| Item Type | Non-Circulating For | Circulating For |
|---|---|---|
| Journals | Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Undergrad, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Staff, NMSU Undergrad, Alumni / Friends / Community (Free), Community Users (Paid), OLLI, H.E.P., TexShare | Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Faculty, NMSU Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅, NMSU Faculty |
| Video / CD / DVD | Alumni / Friends / Community (Free), Community Users (Paid), OLLI, H.E.P., TexShare | Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Undergrad, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Faculty, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Staff, NMSU Undergrad, NMSU Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅, NMSU Faculty |
| Children's Collection | Community Users (Paid), OLLI, H.E.P., TexShare | Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Undergrad, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Faculty, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Staff, NMSU Undergrad, NMSU Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅, NMSU Faculty, Alumni / Friends / Community (Free) |
| Browsing Collection | Alumni / Friends / Community (Free), H.E.P., TexShare | Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Undergrad, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Faculty, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Staff, NMSU Undergrad, NMSU Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅, NMSU Faculty, Community Users (Paid), OLLI |
| Loeb Reference Collection | NMSU users, Alumni / Friends / Community (Free), Community Users (Paid), OLLI, H.E.P., TexShare | Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Undergraduate, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Faculty, Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Staff (14-day loan) |
Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Users
Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Undergraduate Students
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 28 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Browsing | 28 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Children's | 14 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | 28 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Video / CD / DVD | 5 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 5 videos/CDs/DVDs | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Course Reserves | Varies per item and course (typically 1–3 hours, 1–3 days, or 1 week) | Yes | Max 3 items | $0.50 per hour or day overdue (billed after 1st hour/day overdue) |
| Loeb Reference Collection | 14 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Same as Main Stacks | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 3 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00
Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Students
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 105 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 50 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Browsing | 28 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 50 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Children's | 14 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 50 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | 105 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 50 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Journals | 2 hours | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 2 journals | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Video / CD / DVD | 5 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 5 videos/CDs/DVDs | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Course Reserves | Varies per item and course (typically 1–3 hours, 1–3 days, or 1 week) | Yes | Max 3 items | $0.50 per hour or day overdue (billed after 1st hour/day overdue) |
| Loeb Reference Collection | 14 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Same as Main Stacks | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 3 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00
Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Faculty
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 1 year | 1 renewal (limited online renewals) | Max 99 books | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Browsing | 28 days (may renew online) | 1 renewal (limited online renewals) | Max 99 books | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Children's | 14 days (may renew online) | 1 renewal (limited online renewals) | Max 99 books | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | Semester | 1 renewal (limited online renewals) | Max 99 books | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Journals | 3 days | 1 renewal (limited online renewals) | Max 3 journals | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Video / CD / DVD | 5 days | 1 renewal | Max 5 videos/CDs/DVDs | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Course Reserves | Varies per item and course (typically 1–3 hours, 1–3 days, or 1 week) | Yes | Max 3 items | $0.50 per hour or day overdue (billed after 1st hour/day overdue) |
| Loeb Reference Collection | 14 days | 1 renewal (limited online renewals) | Same as Main Stacks | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 3 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $100.00
Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Staff
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 28 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Browsing | 28 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Children's | 14 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | 28 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Journals | 2 hours | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Max 2 journals | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Video / CD / DVD | 5 days | 3 renewals | Max 5 videos/CDs/DVDs | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Course Reserves | Varies per item and course (typically 1–3 hours, 1–3 days, or 1 week) | Yes | Max 3 items | $0.50 per hour or day overdue (billed after 1st hour/day overdue) |
| Loeb Reference Collection | 14 days | 3 renewals (may renew online) | Same as Main Stacks | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 3 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00
NMSU Users
NMSU Undergraduate Students
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 28 days | No online renewals | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Browsing | 28 days | No online renewals | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Children's | 14 days | No online renewals | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | 28 days | No online renewals | Max 25 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Video / CD / DVD | 5 days | No online renewals | Max 5 videos/CDs/DVDs | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Course Reserves | Varies per item and course (typically 1–3 hours, 1–3 days, or 1 week) | Yes | Max 3 items | $0.50 per hour or day overdue (billed after 1st hour/day overdue) |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 3 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00
NMSU Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Students
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 105 days | No online renewals | Max 50 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Browsing | 28 days | No online renewals | Max 50 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Children's | 14 days | No online renewals | Max 50 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | 105 days | No online renewals | Max 50 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Journals | 2 hours | No online renewals | Max 2 journals | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Video / CD / DVD | 5 days | No online renewals | Max 5 videos/CDs/DVDs | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Course Reserves | Varies per item and course (typically 1–3 hours, 1–3 days, or 1 week) | Yes | Max 3 items | $0.50 per hour or day overdue (billed after 1st hour/day overdue) |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 3 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00
NMSU Faculty
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | Semester | No online renewals | Max 99 books | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Browsing | 28 days | No online renewals | Max 99 books | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Children's | 14 days | No online renewals | Max 99 books | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | Semester | No online renewals | Max 99 books | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Journals | 3 days | No online renewals | Max 3 journals | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Video / CD / DVD | 5 days | No online renewals | Max 5 videos/CDs/DVDs | Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Course Reserves | Varies per item and course (typically 1–3 hours, 1–3 days, or 1 week) | Yes | Max 3 items | $0.50 per hour or day overdue (billed after 1st hour/day overdue) |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 3 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00
Community & External Users
Δ’Ή½ΚΣΖ΅ Alumni / Friends / Community Users (Free Card)
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 14 days | 3 renewals — must be done in person | Max 5 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | 14 days | 3 renewals — must be done in person | Max 5 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 28 days overdue): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 1 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00
Community Users (Paid Card — $50.00 annual fee)
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 28 days | 2 renewals — must be done in person | Max 10 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 1 day overdue for Main Stacks, Browsing, and Documents): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Browsing | 28 days | 2 renewals — must be done in person | Max 10 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 1 day overdue for Main Stacks, Browsing, and Documents): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | 28 days | 2 renewals — must be done in person | Max 10 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 1 day overdue for Main Stacks, Browsing, and Documents): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 1 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00
OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 28 days | 2 renewals — must be done in person | Max 10 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 1 day overdue for Main Stacks, Browsing, and Documents): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Browsing | 28 days | 2 renewals — must be done in person | Max 10 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 1 day overdue for Main Stacks, Browsing, and Documents): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | 28 days | 2 renewals — must be done in person | Max 10 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 1 day overdue for Main Stacks, Browsing, and Documents): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 1 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00
School Programs — H.E.P. (High School Equivalency Program)
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 28 days | No online renewals | Max 5 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 1 day overdue for Main Stacks and Documents): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | 28 days | No online renewals | Max 5 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed after 1 day overdue for Main Stacks and Documents): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- Any item is overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00
TexShare Card Holders
| Item Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Checkout Limit | Fines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Stacks | 14 days | 2 renewals — must be done in person | Max 3 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed at 7 days overdue for Main Stacks and Documents): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
| Documents | 14 days | 2 renewals — must be done in person | Max 3 books | $0.25/day Lost item (billed at 7 days overdue for Main Stacks and Documents): $25.00 replacement fee + cost of item |
Borrowing Privileges Suspended When:
- 1 or more items are overdue
- Fines exceed $25.00