Circulation Policies
The Library’s circulation policies are designed to grant equitable access to our resources for all members of the Trinity community. To that end borrowers must accept responsibility for the care and prompt return of materials.
All Trinity College students, faculty, and staff are automatically granted borrowing privileges as long as the user is actively enrolled or employed.
See also: InterLibrary Loan Policies
CTW
As part of our CTW Consortium, all students, faculty, and staff at Connecticut College and Wesleyan University with a valid school ID are granted the same borrowing privileges at Trinity College as our own users.
Special Borrowers
Special Borrowers are divided into two categories, Associates and Affiliates.
Associate Borrowers are defined as College alumni or retirees, and members of consortia such as CCALD. Associate borrowers usually have priviledges awarded upon application.
Affiliate Borrowers are defined as affiliated members of the Trinity community, guest scholars, and upcoming visiting faculty preparing for a Trinity course. Applications for Affiliate Borrowers are subject to the review and approval of the College Librarian or his designee. Typically the privilege would be confirmed within one week of applying.
Users requesting Associate or Affiliate borrowing privileges must fill out an application and present a photo ID to get a Special Borrowers Card. Stop at the Circulation Desk for more information.
Associate and Affiliate privileges expire at the end of each semester, but can be extended by the submission of a new application and the appropriate review and approval.
Loan Periods, Renewals, and Limits
To keep materials at hand for other users, borrowers are encouraged to return items early. Our loan periods are:
Books |
Music CDs |
Video |
Reference & Periodicals |
|
Student (75 item limit) |
28 days / 8 renewals |
7 days / 1 renewals |
3 days / 1 renewals |
- / - |
Thesis Student (100 item limit) |
120 days / 2 renewals |
7 days / 1 renewals |
3 days / 1 renewals |
- / - |
Faculty/Staff (200 item limit) |
Academic yr / 2 renewals |
7 days / 1 renewals |
7 days / 1 renewals |
3 days / no renewals |
Associate (5 item limit) |
28 days / 3 renewals |
- / - |
- / - |
- / - |
Affiliate (10 item limit) |
28 days / 3 renewals |
7 days / 1 renewals |
3 days / 1 renewals |
- / - |
All borrowers will be held responsible for theft, damage or loss of items held in their care.
Loan extensions can be self-initiated by logging into your account within the Library Catalog. Upon reaching the final limit of their loan period, all borrowers are expected to bring the items to the Library Circulation Desk for return, or prove you still have it and restart the loan period.
Recalls
Items on loan needed by another user may be recalled via a form in the Library Catalog. The original borrower is guaranteed a minimum seven day loan before receiving the recall notice. Once it has been recalled, it must be returned by the specified date. Failure to return recalled items on time will result in the suspension of borrowing privileges and the accrual of fines as listed below
Fines & Fees
All borrowers are responsible for promptly paying fines for recalled items and a fine plus the replacement cost of long-overdue items.
Fine/ Fee |
Amount |
Replacement Charge |
$60 or replacement cost (whichever is higher) |
Late Fee |
$35.00 (at 45 days overdue) |
Overdue Recall Fine |
$10.00/day - $100 maximum |
Overdue Reserve Fine |
$5.00/hour - $50 maximum |
Notices & Bills
The Library sends notices regarding the status of items currently charged. Failure to receive a notice does not absolve the borrower from returning an item on time.
Reminder or courtesy notices are normally sent three days prior to an item’s due date. Overdue notices are sent the day an item is overdue, and every 7 days thereafter through the 42nd day. Items overdue more than 45 days will be declared lost, and the appropriate replacement fines and fees will be charged to the borrower’s account.
Student bills are forwarded to the Student Accounts Office for settlement on the 1st and 15th of the month. Before that point, payment can be made by check at the Library Circulation Desk payable to "Trustees of Trinity College".
Faculty and staff bills will be sent to our address on record and should be paid by check at the Library Circulation Desk.
Appeals / Claimed Returned
Once an overdue notice has been issued, a borrower has 14 days to make an appeal if they feel that the Library is mistaken. The Library will search for any claimed returned items. If the item is found, the borrower’s record will be cleared. But the Library reserves the right to bill the user for unfound items.
Suspension of Borrowing Privileges
Note that all borrowing privileges will automatically be suspended if any borrower:
Today's Hours
Sunday, 12-Feb-12
