Library Services for Visitors

While UC Library's primary purpose is to serve our students, faculty and staff, we welcome a variety of other visitors to use our facilities: 

• Alumni
• Community members
• Junior and senior high school students under 18 years of age with parental permission
• College and university students from other academic institutions through inter-institutional agreement

Community Borrower Circulation Policy

• May borrow books from the UC circulating collection for 28 days with a Community Card 

• Books are subject to recall after 21 days if requested by another patron 

• 4 books may be checked out at one time using a Community Card 

• Books may be renewed twice unless the item is recalled by another patron 

• The following materials may only be used in the Library:
  • Current journal issues
  • Bound journal volumes
  • Newspapers
  • Reference Materials
  • Microform
  • Other items identified as In-Library Use or Non-Circulating 

• Use of UC Library's Special Collections must be arranged in advance and approved by the Library Director 

• Community Card holders may not borrow Course Reserve materials 

• Community Card holders are not eligible for the Laptop Lending Program and may not borrow UC Library laptop computers 

• There are no borrowing exceptions for holders of a Community Card

How to Borrow UC Library Materials

1. Use the Library Catalog to search the Library's collection
2. Locate the item(s) in the Library 
3. Bring item(s) to the Circulation Desk
4. Present a Community Card 

Three Ways to Renew UC Library Materials

• Complete the Renew UC Library Materials form
• Phone the Circulation Desk (315-792-3042)
• In person at the Circulation Desk

Alumni

• A Community Card may be issued to Alumni for an annual membership fee of $2 and is renewable 

Community Members

• A Community Card may be issued for an annual membership fee of $10 and is renewable 

Junior and Senior High School Students

• Junior and senior high school students under 18 years of age are eligible for a Community Card with the following terms:
  • A Community Card may be issued for an annual membership fee of $10 and is renewable
  • A parent or guardian needs to be present and sign the Community Card Application
  • Parents or guardians are responsible for any charges incurred by the minor
  • Staff at Utica College Library does not censor or otherwise monitor resources used or checked out by minors 

Students from Other Colleges & Universities

• Borrowing privileges may available to some college students from other academic institutions through inter-institutional agreement. Ask at the Circulation Desk
• Students from other institutions may be charged a fee, depending on the agreement that Utica College Library maintains with their academic institution

Applying for a Community Card

• Community Card Applications are available at the UC Library Circulation Desk 

• Pay the appropriate annual membership fee

UC Library maintains Overdue, Assumed Lost and Damaged Materials policies that apply to Community Borrowers. 

Community Borrowers are responsible for all library fees associated with their library account.

Overdue Materials Policy

• UC Library considers items overdue when:
  • An item is checked out for more than 28 days without return or renewal
  • The borrower to whom the item is charged is responsible for Processing, Replacement or Damage Fees
     

  Processing Fees

  UC Library charges Processing Fees in place of overdue fines:

  • Processing Fees are assessed on materials that are checked out for more than 28 days without return or renewal
  • A $4.00 per item fee is charged for every overdue item
     

  Overdue Notices

  • UC Library sends Overdue Notices as a courtesy
  • Failure to receive a notice does not exempt borrowers from Processing, Replacement or Damage Fees 

  First Notice

  • Reminder to return or renew materials 

  Second Notice

  • Library privileges are suspended
  • Materials not returned within 14 days after this notice are Assumed Lost:
    • A $4.00 per item Processing Fee is assessed
    • Replacement Fees apply 

  Third Notice

  • Final Notice:
    • The borrower is responsible for all accumulated Processing and other fees

Assumed Lost Policy

• UC Library declares an item Assumed Lost checked out for more than 28 days without return or renewal
• Replacement Fees apply
• The borrower to whom the item is charged is responsible for Processing and Replacement Fees  

Replacement Fees

Replacement copy is available for purchase:

• The borrower is charged the price UC Library paid for the item
• Occasionally UC Library cannot ascertain the price paid for an item; in these cases the borrower is charged the current market price of a replacement 

Replacement copy is not available for purchase:

• The borrower is charged the price UC Library paid for the lost item
• Occasionally UC Library cannot ascertain the price paid for an out of print item; in these cases a flat Replacement Fee of $15 is charged 

Return of Assumed Lost Materials

Returning an item that is assumed lost:

• Removes the Assumed Lost status
• May reinstate library privileges
• Processing Fee(s) still apply and can be paid at the Circulation Desk
• Replacement Fee(s) are waived

Damaged Materials Policy

• Applied to items returned to UC Library exhibiting damage beyond normal wear-and-tear using the Damage Assessment Guidelines below
• Damage and/or Replacement Fees are applied
• The borrower to whom the item is charged when damage occurs is responsible for Processing, Replacement and/or Damage Fees 

Damage Assessment Guidelines

Minor Damage

• 2-3 pages loose from binding
• Cover torn
• Cover loose from binding
• Other minor damage as assessed by Library staff 

Moderate Damage

• Animal damage (usually chewed cover and/or pages)
• 10 or more pages removed from binding
• Cover missing
• Water damage to cover and/or pages (minor warping, no buckling)
• Other moderate damage as assessed by Library staff 

Severe Damage

• Animal damage (cover and/or pages damaged)
• Sections of paging missing and/or removed
• Water damage to cover and/or pages (warping and/or buckling noted)
• Other severe damage as assessed by Library staff 

Damage Fees

Minor Damage

• Most minor damage is repaired in-house and Damage Fees are not charged 

Moderate Damage

• Most moderate damage requires the item be sent to a bindery for repair
• The borrower is charged the Library's cost for binding
• Average bindery costs:
  • Regular size books: $10-$25 per book
  • Oversize books: $25-$50 per book 

Severe Damage

• When damage causes an item to lose integrity or become unusable, the material must be replaced
• The borrower is charged a Replacement Fee for the item

Research Assistance

Reference staff will assist visitors in their research insofar as practicable: 

• Priority in reference service is given to the College's students, facuty and staff
• Priority use of library resources will be given to the College's students and staff 

• UC Librarians can log a visitor into a computer as a guest.  A form has to be filled out at the Information Desk
• Patrons may print out reasonable amounts with a charge per page 

UC Computers, Printers and Online Subscription Resources

• Use of Utica College computers, printers and some online subscription resources by Community Borrowers is restricted (by login) and requires:
  • Arrangement with a UC Reference Librarian during regular Reference Hours 
  • UC Librarians reserve the right to limit the use of UC computers, printers and online subscription resources by public patrons 

• Community Borrowers are not eligible for the Laptop Lending Program 

• UC Library tours and instruction may be arranged for area high school classes 

• Group tours are scheduled at times that do not conflict with campus academic activities.   

Please contact the UC Library Information Desk for scheduling: 

• Contact the library for more information