CT State IDs serve as the library cards for students, faculty, and staff. CSCU students, faculty, and staff and Connecticut State Library ID holders may use their institutional IDs or other form of picture identification to check out materials. CT State alumni and community users (CT residents who are not officially affiliated with the college) may obtain a guest borrower card by registering with the library with a valid photo ID.
Loan periods vary depending on the type of material and the type of patron:
The maximum total borrowed item amounts are as follows:
Items can be renewed in person, over the phone, or online. The library does not charge overdue fines. If a borrower does not return items by the due date, they will be emailed a reminder notice. If items are not returned after the reminder notice, the overdue items will be declared lost.
Library users may check the status of their accounts and renew materials online by signing in to Patron Services with their NetID.
If the library catalog says that an item is On Loan, it has already been checked out by another patron. Users may place a hold on the item by signing into their account and clicking the Request button in the item record. Once the item arrives, the patron will receive an email from the library indicating that the item is available. The will be retained on the hold shelf at the service desk for 7 days. After that time it will be returned to the shelf or to the originating library.
If an item is still not returned two weeks after its due date it is automatically declared lost and the patron will be billed for the cost of replacement plus a $5.00 processing fee per item. In addition, borrowing privileges are suspended and if the fee exceeds $100 a hold is placed on the patron's student account.
All fees are forgiven when items are returned or replacements are provided. Fees are paid to the Bursar's Office. Patrons can find the amount of outstanding fees online via Patron Services, or by contacting the library.
Once items are returned or replaced, or fees are paid for at the Bursar’s Office, borrowing privileges are restored and the hold is removed (typically within one business day).
The library maintains a collection of reserve materials behind the service desk. These materials are placed on reserve by faculty members and include textbooks, support materials, and audiovisual materials. Reserve materials are for in-library use only. Reserve items that are removed from the library are considered Lost, with all of the penalties described above.
All library records remain confidential. The library will not provide the names of patrons to whom items are charged and does not retain borrowing history.