Effective Date: September 19, 2023
Issuing Authority: Provost
Policy Contact: Vice Provost for University Libraries, 478-301-2964
Purpose
Mercer University Libraries have a number of service locations but a single set of loan rules.
Scope
This policy applies to all students and employees at Mercer University.
Exclusions
None
Policy Statement
Currently enrolled students and currently employed faculty and staff may borrow materials from the Mercer University Libraries by presenting their Mercer ID (Bear Card). The Mercer ID may also be used to access any of our 24-hour study rooms.
Note: Reference materials, print journals, microfilm/microfiche, Special Collections, and some government documents are restricted to library use only.
The loan periods for different types of materials are as follows:
| Material Types | Students | Employees | Other |
| Books and Sound Recordings | 90 days / 1 renewal | 120 days / 2 renewals | 28 days / 1 renewal |
| Video | 7 days / no renewals 10 video limit | 7 days / no renewals 10 video limit | Not permitted |
| Maximum Items Allowed | 100 items | Unlimited items | 10 items |
Equipment
In addition to the traditional items above, the University libraries also have limited equipment available for students and employees to borrow. Check with your library to see availability. Fines and replacement fees vary for equipment loans.
Hold and Recalls
If an item you want is checked out and you wish to be notified of its return, you can place a hold on the item through the online catalog.
If an item a borrower urgently needs is checked out and he/she would like to have it as soon as possible, he/she may request that the item be recalled. When an item is recalled, the person in possession of the item receives a request to return it. Only Mercer faculty and staff may place recalls on library material.
Note: If a person recalls an item a borrower has checked out, he/she will receive a new due date and a fine of $2.50 per day will be charged beyond that due date.
Items needed by faculty for a class or reserve will be recalled with an immediate due date. Recall dates are determined by a patron’s registration status and the type of item being recalled. Additionally, each patron type and each material type has different guaranteed loan periods as follows:
| Material Types | Students | Employees | Other |
| Books and Sound Recordings | 28-day guaranteed loan period | 28-day guaranteed loan period | 14-day guaranteed loan period |
| Video | 7-day guaranteed loan period | 7-day guaranteed loan period | Not permitted |
Fines and Lost Item Charges
- Library privileges will be suspended for students owing $25.00 or more. Employees owing $500 or more will likewise have their library privileges suspended.
- Library holds will be placed on the student information record of any student owing $25.00 or more.
- Fines may be paid via Bear Card at the circulation desk or online via the Mercer eStore using a credit or debit card. See the FAQ for step-by-step instructions.
- Overdue books, CD-ROMs, and sound recordings accrue no late fines, as long as original items are returned, or if they have been recalled. However, once an item has been reported as lost in the system, the item record is removed, and a new copy is automatically purchased by the Libraries.
- When lost items are billed, there is a non-refundable fee of $65 per item and a $10 service. If the item replacement costs exceed $65.00, the actual cost of the lost item will be charged.
- After a replacement item is purchased, no refunds will be given, even if the original item is later returned.
Additional Resources
Since the library locations are currently Bear Card access only, an individual who is not a current Mercer student, faculty, or staff, should contact the libraries to schedule an appointment. If he/she is a Mercer University alumnus, he/she may apply for alumni borrowing privileges.
For a listing of the fines and replacement fees, click on https://libraries.mercer.edu/index.php/university-libraries/borrowing-materials/#gsc.tab=0