Circulation Policies

Borrowing Privileges

Anyone is welcome to use materials within any UW library. To check-out materials you must present a current UW ID (Husky card) or UW library card (Purple card). Health professionals and members of the UW Alumni Association may obtain borrowers' cards at the Health Sciences Library (HSL) Information Desk. If you wish to obtain borrowing privileges and are not a member of one of these groups, please contact the Suzzallo Library Cashier (206) 543-1174, Monday - Friday. Fees may apply, and specific forms of identification are required.

More information can be found at Borrowing Information for Visitors. You may request details by calling (206) 543-3390 x2 or use the ASK US button on Healthlinks.

UW ID cards and library borrowers' cards are not transferable. You must present your own card in order to check out materials. Faculty may designate proxies, who will be issued cards allowing them to check out materials for the faculty member. Proxies should be designated cautiously, as the faculty member --not the proxy-- is responsible for any fines or other charges accrued on the proxy card. This holds true for corporate borrowers as well. If you are a UW faculty member or a corporate borrower who wishes to make arrangements for a proxy borrower's card, please contact the Library Cashier for details.

Holds, Renewals, and Loan Periods

NOTE: You are responsible for returning materials by the due date. Due dates are subject to change. Please keep current by visiting Your Library Account frequently.

To place an item on hold:

• click on the request button from WorldCat Local or UW Libraries Catalog
• visit any UW Libraries circulation desk
• call HSL at (206) 543-3390 x2

To request a book / journal (pre-1960) from HSL storage:

• complete the appropriate online form

To renew library materials:

• renew online at Your Library Account
• call (206) 543-3390 x2

Most Health Sciences materials circulate for 4 weeks. Journals and serials dated before 1991 circulate for one week. There are exceptions; please direct questions to Information Desk staff. Loan periods may be shortened if an item is requested by another borrower.

We will send a courtesy email due date notice 2 days before your items are due (UW cannot guarantee receipt of the email).

• Items which have had holds placed on them cannot be renewed.
• Reserve items cannot be renewed.
• Items checked out through Summit may not be renewed.
• Items billed for replacement cannot be renewed.

Course reserve items must be returned to the desk where they were checked out. All other materials may be returned to any library in the UW Libraries system (including the K.K. Sherwood Library at Harborview Medical Center). For your convenience, the Health Sciences Library has a drive-up book return located just west of the UW Express bus shelter on Columbia Road.

Questions and comments:
use the ASK US button on Healthlinks

Fees and Fines

NOTE: Beginning April 2009; the University of Washington Libraries has a new fine policy:

For standard loans (3 days or more)

• There is a 4-day "grace" period, on the fifth day the charge will be $2.50
• 1-20 days overdue = $0.50/day
• 21 days overdue = $25 billing charge (non-refundable) plus a replacement cost
  

COURSE RESERVE ITEMS and LOANS OF LESS THAN 3 DAYS

• $2.50 for the first complete hour material is returned late, plus $0.50 for each additional hour, to a maximum of $30.00.
• 57+ hours overdue: $30 non-refundable billing charge plus a replacement cost.

NOTE: Course reserve items must be returned to the desk where they were checked out.

Fines can be paid by mail, online, or in person at the Suzzallo Library Cashier.

For complete UW Libraries Loan Code Information, refer to http://www.lib.washington.edu/services/borrow/loancode.html

For further information, use the ASK US button on Healthlinks

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