Borrowing Policies

COS students can borrow materials using their Student ID card or another valid form of photo identification and their Banner ID.

 *Items must remain in the library

Renewals

Books in the general collection may be renewed for an additional 3 weeks (2 renewals maximum). Book renewals may be done in person, online or by phone (559) 730-3825. Course Reserve items must be renewed in person.  Items cannot be renewed if the student has overdue materials or library fines.

Overdue Fines and Replacement Fees

Students will be unable to borrow materials if they have overdue items or fines of $10.00 or more on their library account.

Students with items more than 2 or 3 weeks overdue will have a replacement and a non-refundable processing fee added to their campus account.  This fee may create a hold on their account, which will prevent them from registering for classes and obtaining transcripts until the item is returned or the fees are paid at the Cashier's Office.

Damaged Items

If Library materials appear damaged upon checkout, library personnel note the damage and date of discovery in the item records. It is highly recommended that student alert staff to any suspected damage at the time of check-out. The COS Library charges fees when library materials are returned in a damaged condition. Damaged materials are assessed by library personnel and if found to be in poor or unusable condition. Students are billed for either a repair fee or full replacement costs. These fees are assessed depending on the extent of the damage.

Students are not charged for normal wear and tear on library materials. However, the following conditions do not constitute normal wear and tear and may result in repair or replacement charges:

•                        Wet or moldy books

•                        Books damaged by food stains, oily or sticky residue

•                        Books missing pages or covers

•                        Books containing excessive marking by ink or highlight marker

•                        Books showing tears, cuts, graffiti or other unusual damage

If library personnel conclude library material is irreparable and must be withdrawn from the library’s collection, students are charged the full replacement value of the item, or have the student bring a replacement instead of paying for the full replacement cost; as long as it first been approved from library personnel, done promptly, and the replacement item is in similar format and condition.

Replacement or repair costs are at the discretion of library personnel and are determined based on the particular circumstances of each case.

Missing Items 

In the event that an item owned by COS Library cannot be physically located on the shelf, patrons should seek assistance at the Circulation or Reference Desk.  Library personnel will search for the item, and if it cannot be located, they will promptly have the item designated as “Missing” in the Online Catalog.  Students may request the items from other libraries using interlibrary loan.​

Holds

A patron may place a hold request on items that are checked out to another patron.  Reserve items may not be placed on hold. Holds can be placed from the Library Online Catalog after signing in or through the My Library Account icon in COSMyGiant or by a Library staff member.  You will be notified by email when the item is ready to pick-up.

• Learn how to place holds through the online catalog.​

Hold items will be held at the Circulation Desk at the location of your choice for 7 days after you are notified.  If the hold item is not picked up after this time, it will be returned to the general collection.

Questions?

Contact the Library/LRC at (559) 730-3825 or library@cos.edu.

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