New JMU library check-out policies

Posted August 29, 2016 in JMU Libraries News

This summer, JMU Libraries revised the policies related to checking out library books and other items. With fewer overdue fines and longer check-out periods, these policies were designed to empower you to use our collections more fully for your research, teaching, learning, entertainment, and creative needs.

Check-out periods extended:

We’ve lengthened how long you get to keep items:

• 4 hours for reserves items
• 4 days for movies and music
• 4 weeks for popular books
• 4 months for most books and sheet music

JMU students and community borrowers have two renewals for most items, and JMU faculty & staff have unlimited renewals for most items. The longer check-out period is a new benefit for students and community borrowers. The unlimited renewals piece is a new benefit for faculty and staff.

Most overdue fines eliminated:

JMU Libraries no longer charges overdue fines (or late fines) on most items!

DVDs, audio recordings, government documents, scores, sheet music, and most books are now exempt from overdue fines.

Items still subject to overdue fines include InterLibrary Loan items, reference books, course reserve books, periodicals (journals), accessories, kits, tests, anatomical models, and other short-term-loan items.

Overdue fines accrued before August 29, 2016 are still valid. Please contact askthelibrary@jmu.edu if you have questions about overdue fines.

Fee policies updated:

Even though you won’t be charged overdue fines for keeping an item beyond its due date, you may be charged fees in certain cases. For instance, if another person requests an item that you have checked out, you will receive a notice that the item has been recalled. This notice will include the new due date for the recalled item. If the item is not returned within three days of the new due date, a Non-Returned Recall Item Fee will begin to accrue. Similarly, if you fail to return an item within a certain number of days beyond the due date, damage an item, or lose an item, you may be responsible for repair or replacement fees, as well as a processing fee. You may be blocked from borrowing additional materials if your account hits a certain threshold for fees.

More information on these fees is in the “Lost and Billed Items” section or “Fines and Fee Policies” section of the policy page on the Libraries web site.

Your action item:

If you currently have books or other library materials checked out, please renew them to activate these new library benefits.

Library materials may be renewed in a number of ways:

• Use “My Account” for self-service on the library website
• Email askthelibrary@jmu.edu
• Reply to courtesy email notices
• Call (540) 568-6150 during open hours
• Visit a service desk in Carrier Library, Rose Library, the Music Library, or the ETMC with your JACard or a valid photo ID

Thank you for using the libraries’ collections!

These policies were updated to make it easier for you to use the libraries’ books, DVDs, and other materials. We want to put our collections in your hands, as much as possible, where they will help you achieve your goals.

If you have questions or comments about these new policies, please contact Stefanie Warlick (Director of Public Services, warlicse@jmu.edu) or KT Vaughan (Acting Associate Dean, vaughakt@jmu.edu).