Library Policies

By cimail , 29 January 2026

Our policies pertaining to the circulation of our materials.

Find information about borrowing, returning, and renewing materials and what to do about late or lost books.

Circulation Policies:

Checking Out Materials:

  • All UMN students, staff, and faculty can check out books through our system with an email account and a student/staff ID number.
    • Your account will be created during your first visit to the library (Note: Some instructors set up accounts for their students prior to a library visit)
  • All regular use materials and books are checked out for a 3 week period

Returning Materials:

  • Materials can be returned to the library drop box in the hallway outside of Peik 45 or to a black return basket by the front desk.

Renewing Materials:

  • Most materials can be renewed up to three times, if there are no holds on the materials
  • Library patrons must be in good standing with the library (without excessive overdue or missing books) to renew books
  • Renewals can be requested in person at the front desk, by email, or in response to a Return/Renew Notice sent by our library staff.

Return/Renew Notices:

  • We send out Renew/Return Reminder notices by email every other week. These notices increase in frequency near the end of the semester

Placing a Hold on Materials:

  • If you would like to request a specific title of place a hold on specific materials in our collection, contact us by email.

Hall Book Drop

Bookdrop2

Make sure to use the book drop in the hall if the library is closed!

books

Late Materials:

Late Materials:

  • You will receive Return/Renew Notices when materials are overdue and need to be returned or renewed. 
  • If lost, a late fee of $20 can be given to the office in Peik 125 on the first floor.
  • If your materials are over 60 days overdue and/or you have not responded to multiple Return/Renew notices your UMN student account may be held
    • We will contact you with a hold warning and attempt to resolve the issue together before placing your account on hold
    • If we cannot resolve the issue, your UMN student account will be placed on hold until you return the materials or pay for their replacement
      • If your student account is placed on hold you will not be able to register for classes or graduate