Answers to some of the most frequently asked circulation related questions are listed below. If you have a circulation question that isn't answered here, please use the link at the bottom of this page to send us an email message.
- What should I do if I can't find a book?
- CLIO lists a book as "Unavailable". How can I get a copy of it?
- Why can't I check out a book?
- Can I check out a book without my ID card?
- Can I ask my spouse/family member/friend to check out a book for me with my ID card?
- Why can't I renew this book that is checked out to me?
- Do I have to bring my books to the library to have them renewed?
- I urgently need a book that is checked out. How can I get it?
- Where should I return books?
- I received a notice for a book I returned. What should I do?
- I received a bill for overdue books that is incorrect. How can I resolve this?
- What are the overdue item fines and fees??
- Where can I pay my fines and fees?
- How can I find out more about the Libraries' circulation policies?
Q. What should I do if I can't find a book?
A. If you are having difficulty locating a book in the stacks consider filling out a search request form, available at the Circulation Desk. Library staff will search for the item and notify you regarding the results of the search by the close of the next business day following receipt of the search request.
Some libraries have multiple shelving locations within them. In Butler, items in the Milstein collection are shelved separately from the items in the General Stacks. In the International Affairs Library, the Lehman and Social Work collections are also shelved separately. If you are unsure of an item's location, please ask for assistance at the Circulation Desk.
Q. CLIO lists a book as "Unavailable". How can I get a copy of it?
A. If a book is unavailable, you may seek the assistance of a reference librarian, who will be able to help you locate another copy. You may also request to borrow a copy of the item from another library via the Libraries' Borrow Direct or Interlibrary Loan services, or request another copy be purchased. These services are all available through LWeb's Request It services page.
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Q. Why can't I check out a book?
A. There are several reasons you may not be able to check out a book. The most common are:
- You owe fines or fees equal to or in excess of $100. To reinstate your borrowing privileges, make a payment towards the amount you owe, or pay the balance in full. Please note that partial payments for lost or missing fees are not accepted. These fees must be paid in full.
- You have not returned an item that has been recalled for another library user, or for Reserves. Please return the item as soon as possible.
- Your account has expired. You may have changed schools, changed your CU identification number, or may no longer be registered at the University. Please visit the Library Information Office for an explanation of the problem, and what can be done to remedy it.
- The item is non-circulating. Reference and some other specialized material are not permitted to circulate. These items may be used only within the Library.
Please inquire at the Library Information Office in room 201 Butler Library for specific information regarding your privileges.
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Q. Can I check out a book without my ID card?
A. Your Columbia University identification card also serves as your library card, and it is necessary to present it to check out or renew books. If you do not have your ID card, we will place books on hold for you until you retrieve or replace your CUID, at which time you may check out the books.
Q. Can I ask my spouse/family member/friend to check out a book for me with my ID card?
A. Columbia ID cards are non-transferrable. You may only use your own card to borrow books. If someone other than you attempts to use your card, the card is subject to be confiscated and turned over to the Security Department. Note that faculty and officers may designate a Deputy Borrower to check materials out on their records. It is also possible for family members of University affiliates to obtain library privileges. Please inquire at the Library Information Office for additional information.
Q. Why can't I renew this book that is checked out to me?A. You may renew items checked out to you up to ten times before the items must be returned to the library or libraries from which they were checked out. If the book you have is from the Milstein Library, you may renew it only once. After that, you must return the book to the Milstein Library.
You may not be able to renew a book if another user has placed a recall or hold on it, or if it has been recalled for Reserves. You may also be prevented from renewing a book if your borrowing privileges have been suspended for any of the reasons above.
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Q. Do I have to bring my books to the library to have them renewed?
A. Books and other items that you have checked out from Columbia Libraries may be renewed online by clicking on the "My Library Account" link in CLIO. Reserve material from any library and items from the Butler Media Collection may not be renewed.
The online service is available to registered borrowers at Columbia University, Barnard College and Teachers College having a currently valid University Network ID ("UNI") and password.
In many libraries, you are able to renew books checked out to you without having to bring them to the library. Please ask at the circulation desk from which you have checked out books about their specific renewal policies.
You may not renew books by telephone.
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Q. I urgently need a book that is checked out. How can I get it?
A. If a book you need is checked out to another user, you may place a recall or hold on it. You may also check the catalogs of other New York area libraries, and obtain a referral from the Reference Department to use the item at that library if appropriate.
You may request a recall or hold online via LibraryWeb's Request It Services page.
Q. Where should I return books?
A. Return books to the library from which they were checked out.
You may be subject to fines for books returned to another library if the item reaches its original location after the due date.
Butler Stacks and Milstein Library books may be returned to the Circulation Desk book drop, or to the book return bins outside Butler Library when the service desks are closed. During the hours of the Library Information Office, you may return non-reserve Butler items to that office (room 201 Butler).
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Q. I received a notice for a book I returned. What should I do?
A. Take the notice you received to the Circulation Desk of the library from which it was sent, and ask that a search be placed on the item. We will notify you of the search results. We may ask that you check your dorm room, office, or apartment for the book becuase occasionally library borrowers mistakenly believe an item has been returned when it has not.
Q. I received a bill for overdue books that is incorrect. How can I resolve this?
A. Take the notice to the Circulation Desk of the library from which it was sent, and ask to see the supervisor on duty. The supervisor will work with you to resolve the problem.
Q. What are the overdue item fines and fees?
A. Fines for circulating books are $0.25 per calendar day for each day the item is late to a maximum of $7.50. Fines for reserve items are $1.00 per hour for each hour or part thereof to a maximum of $50.00. For circulating Butler Media items, the fine if $7.00 per day to a maximum of $50.00. Fines for items that have been recalled and not returned by the recall due date are $1.00 per day to a maximum of $30.00.
If an item is not returned and the library considers it lost, standard replacement (varies by library) and processing ($30.00) fees will be added to the fines.
Q. Where can I pay my fines and fees?
A. Library bills are not added to your account with Student Financial Services, and must be paid directly to the Libraries. When charges are incurred at the library, we send you an email detailing the charges. The message also provides information about payment. You may make the payment at any library circulation desk by check (payable to "Columbia University Libraries", or to "Barnard College" if paid at the Barnard College Library), or at the Library Information Office in room 201 Butler Library by check, Visa or Master card. If you would like to know your outstanding balance, please call the office at 212.854.7309, or send email to lio@columbia.edu.
Q. How can I find out more about the Libraries' circulation policies?
A. Please see the Circulation Policy covering IDs and address changes for borrowers, blocked privileges, deputy borrowers, items not on shelf, loan periods, losses and replacements, overdue items and fines, recalls, renewals, returns, reserve readings for courses, security, spouses and domestic partners, visiting readers privileges, etc.
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