Borrowing Privileges

Eligibility for Borrowing Privileges

All Fairfield University students may borrow material upon presentation of their valid Fairfield University identification card.

Faculty, administrators, and University staff, including emeritus faculty, may borrow material upon presentation of their University ID.

Adjunct Faculty who teach on a semester by semester basis may borrow materials during the semester they are teaching. Adjunct Faculty may apply to the Access Services Supervisor for full library privileges after two years or four semesters of service.

Fairfield Prep seniors may borrow a total of four items at a time upon presentation of their Prep ID.

Guest cards are issued to Fairfield University alumni, adult Fairfield residents (age 18 or older) with a current Fairfield Public Library card, and to Fairfield University faculty and staff family. For all other potential patrons, a Community Borrower membership may be obtained for an annual fee of $100.

Application may be made at the Library Services & Information Desk. Guest and Community Borrowers may borrow a total of four items at a time. Renewal privilege is extended to guest card holders one time renewal per item. This may be accomplished by e-mailing library@fairfield.edu or calling (203) 254-4044 ext. 2188. Guest and Community Borrowers can also renew items online using barcode and last name.

Borrowing Periods

For borrowing periods for all items, see the Borrowing Privileges & Loan Periods.

Exceptions:

• All material is subject to recall within two weeks of the due date if needed by another borrower or immediately if needed for reserve.
• Adjunct faculty may borrow only during the semester in which they teach unless they are long-standing adjuncts who have applied for permanent privileges.

Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges

Fairfield University Students may apply for borrowing privileges at Fairfield Public Library. Out of state students will need their student ID and a driver’s license. Students without a driver’s license can use a government-issue photo ID and proof of residency. Connecticut residents should use their hometown library cards to register.

Fairfield University Faculty and Staff can borrow items from libraries participating in the CCALD Library Consortium. For more information, see CCALD’s borrowing procedures and a list of member institutions. Faculty and staff residing in CT may also use their hometown public library cards to register for privileges at Fairfield Public Library or apply for a guest card (if out of state).

For materials that are not available through DiMenna-Nyselius Library, please visit Request from Other Libraries (ILL).

Requesting Materials

Requesting Material for Hold or Recall

Current faculty, staff, and students can use the "Request it" feature in the library catalog to recall items that are checked out, and also request a hold for pickup for on-shelf materials. Patrons are prompted to enter their NetID and password once they click on the "Request It" button.

Hold requests for On-shelf Materials

A request placed for an item listed as available on-shelf will be available for pick up within 36 hours. The patron will be notified by e-mail when the item is ready for pick up at the Library Services & Information Desk.

Recall Requests

Recall requests shorten the loan period for the original borrower, who is guaranteed a minimum loan period of 14 days. Patrons are notified by e-mail when an item checked out to them has been recalled. The patron who has requested the recall will be notified by e-mail when the item is ready for pick up at the Library Services & Information Desk.

Material will be held for 7 days for pick-up and then returned to the shelves if not picked up by that time.

Home Delivery Service

Home delivery service is available to support Fairfield University graduate students and faculty that are teaching and learning 100% remote and therefore unable to make it to campus to retrieve items.

Restrictions, Fines, and Fees

Print Journals

Print journals do not circulate and cannot leave the Library. This is to ensure continuous access by users during all hours that the library is open, and availability for interlibrary loan copying. There is a scanner available for public use at the ScannX Station and there is a photocopier in the Access Services Department which faculty can use to make photocopies, or to scan articles and e-mail them to themselves. Faculty & Staff can also request an article through our Document Delivery service.

Overdue Materials

All items may be returned to the Library Services & Information Desk or the media/book drop. Media and reserve material must be returned directly to the Library Services & Information Desk. Borrowing privileges will be suspended when an unpaid fine limit is reached or when a set number of overdue items have been billed for replacement. More restrictive policies apply to overdue reserve items and interlibrary loans.

All fines on overdue material are payable at the Library Services & Information Desk or by mail. Questions regarding fines should be directed to the Access Services Department between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Unpaid student accounts are submitted to the University Bursar for direct billing prior to each semester. Replacement charges for books will be waived if the books are returned within one month of the Bursar's billing. Graduate and Continuing Education students will be barred from registering for courses until their accounts have been settled with the Bursar. Diplomas will be withheld until all library materials have been returned, and fines or other charges paid.

Full Fine Schedule

Lost and Damaged Material

Charges for lost material include the replacement cost of each item plus any overdue fines. Lost material should be reported immediately to the desk attendant, as fines accrue from the due date to the date the loss is reported. A refund of replacement charges will be made if the item is returned within one month of payment. The amount of charges for damaged materials will be set at the cost of repair or replacement. 

My Account

To view the items you have checked out, placed on hold, wish to renew, or check on any current fines or bills visit "My Account" in the Library Catalog.

Students and faculty can use their NetID to logon to My Account. Once logged-in, students and faculty can view what items are checked out to their account, renew library materials, and see the amount if fines they have incurred.

Guest and Community Borrowers can logon to My Account using barcode and last name combination. On the Library Account login page, click on the "Alumni / Community Borrower / Guest Login" button and login with your last name (case in-sensitive) and your Guest Card barcode. 

Need more help? Call the Library Services & Information Desk at (203) 254-4044 ext. 2188.