Guest borrowing privileges are extended to Rutgers alumni, individuals with community borrower cards, faculty, and students from other higher education institutions where there are reciprocal borrowing agreements in place.

Qualified guest borrowers are eligible to borrow library materials, as well as use the services of the Rutgers University Libraries. Borrowing privileges at the Rutgers law libraries are not available to alumni and guest borrowers. Some services, such as remote access to most databases, interlibrary loan, recalls, and delivery of Rutgers materials, are available only to current Rutgers students, faculty, and staff.

Registration

Alumni may register for guest borrowing privileges by presenting a Rutgers Alumni Card and photo ID at the circulation desk of any Rutgers library. If you are a recent Rutgers graduate and have not yet received your Rutgers Alumni Card in the mail, a photo ID is sufficient identification for one year after your graduation date. Information about the Rutgers Alumni Card is available at the Rutgers University Alumni Association website. If you have questions or have lost your card please call 877-253-7100.

Individuals who cannot satisfy their information requirements through their local public library, organizational library, or interlibrary loan may purchase guest borrowing privileges by submitting an application form [PDF] and $100 annual fee by mail to:

For details, call: 732/932-7129

Faculty and students from other higher education institutions where there are reciprocal borrowing agreements in place should contact the library of their home institution for appropriate documentation and identification prior to visiting the circulation desk of any Rutgers library.

Borrower Cards

Guest borrower cards are issued for a limited time period and the date on which privileges expire is normally written on the back of the card.

To renew privileges, alumni may present their cards at any circulation desk along with another form of photo identification. All other guest borrowers must re-qualify for continued borrowing privileges.

Borrower cards are nontransferable and should not be loaned to other people. If your borrower cards is lost or stolen, immediately report it to staff at the circulation desk of any Rutgers library.

Identification

You must present a valid borrower card with barcode when charging out books. No other identification is acceptable.

Borrower Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• All material checked out on your card. Do not loan it to others. Materials are linked to your record by a unique barcode number.

• Knowing due dates. Dates may change based on renewal and recall requests. Select the "MY ACCOUNT" feature in the Library Catalog and choose "Review Checkouts" to view a list of your checkouts and their due dates.

• Returning or renewing materials on time.

• Reading your email and library notices.

• Notifying the Library of any change of address.

Loan Periods

The guest loan period is 28 days for all materials charged out. All books, regardless of loan period and borrower's privileges, are subject to recall. You may check out up to 25 items on your card at one time.

Returns

Return borrowed books on or before their due date to a book drop or circulation desk of any Rutgers library. Although there are no daily overdue fines, failure to return a recalled book will result in a fine of $5 per day.

It is expected that books and other library materials will be returned in good condition, unmarked and without evidence of damage. Borrowers will be held responsible for materials returned damaged. If the book you wish to charge out is already damaged, please bring it to the attention of the circulation desk staff who will make note of the damage so that you will not be held responsible.

Renewals

To renew library materials online, select the "MY ACCOUNT" feature in the Library Catalog and choose the "Renew Checkouts" option. Materials may be renewed for the same time period as the original loan. If materials are more than forty days overdue you must bring them to a Rutgers library to be renewed. There is no mail or telephone renewal.

You may not renew library materials that have been recalled for another borrower, or if your borrowing privileges have been suspended.

Recalls

Students, faculty and staff at Rutgers may recall items needed for research. Guest borrowers are not eligible for recall privileges. All books in circulation are subject to recall. You may receive a "Recall Notice" notifying you to return materials prior to the normal loan period.

Return a recalled item before the new date set by the library to avoid paying a fine. A fine of $5 per day up to $50 will be assessed and borrowing privileges suspended for failure to return recalled material on time.

Notices and Replacement Charges

Library notices will be sent to your email address on file with the libraries. If you don't have email, paper notices will be mailed to your home address.

An Overdue Notice is sent when items are 7 days overdue. At 21 days overdue, a Final Notice stating the average replacement and processing cost of $102.00 per item is sent. Contact the circulation department of any Rutgers library for the actual cost of replacement. Your borrowing privileges will be suspended and a hold may be placed on your library record.

When items are six months overdue, a Bill for Replacement is sent. The University reserves the right to hold transcripts and diplomas as a result of nonpayment of obligations and to forward all delinquent accounts to collection agencies and to levy a collection fee.

PINs

PINs are 4-digit library personal identification numbers. You may request your PIN in person or by telephone at any Rutgers library circulation desk, or online through the Ask a Librarian service. You will need your PIN to use the "MY ACCOUNT" features available in the Library Catalog.

Change of Address

It is your responsibility to keep the Libraries informed of any address changes. Library fines will not be waived if you fail to notify the Libraries of a change of address. You can update your address and email address with library staff at the circulation desk of any Rutgers library.

You can also request a change of address and email address by writing online to the "Ask a Librarian" service; include your library barcode for verification purposes.

Restrictions

Guest borrowers are not eligible for interlibrary loan and recalls, delivery of Rutgers materials, and borrowing privileges at the Rutgers law libraries.

Guest borrowers are not entitled to off-campus access to certain databases. Licensing agreements between the Rutgers University Libraries and proprietors of certain databases strictly limit off-site use to current Rutgers students, faculty, and staff.

Hours

Library hours change during the academic year, while classes are in session, during semester breaks, intersessions, exam periods, and university holidays. Check the Rutgers University Libraries Hours and Directions web page or the hours posted in the libraries for exceptions and changes. Circulation and reference desk hours may vary from library building hours.

Questions

If you have questions regarding borrowing privileges, telephone or visit the circulation department of any Rutgers library, or use the online Ask a Librarian service.