The library loan policies define the privileges and responsibilities of library users. The purpose of the outlined policies is to maximize the use of the library collection for the SUA community.

A valid SUA identification card is required to check out library materials. Library accounts are automatically established for all enrolled students and current SUA employees with an active SUA ID.

To borrow circulating items, patrons can use a self-check machine. Two machines are available on the 2nd/main floor, one in front of the Reference Desk and the other at the Circulation Desk. The self-check machines feature interactive touch screen monitors. The Reference Desk and Circulation Desk are always staffed during the operation hours.

Library return bins are only for returning books. Media, Interlibrary Loan, and Reserve items must be returned directly to the Circulation Desk. No library items are due on university holidays.

• Loan Policies for Students
• Loan Policies for Faculty and Staff
• Placing a Hold/Requesting a Recall
• Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Items
• Reference Books
• Ikeda Collection
• Special Collection
• Archives

Circulating books
These rules apply to Circulating, Founders’, MA Theses, and ESL Collection.

• Loan period: 28 days
• Renewals: Items may be renewed twice when there are 7 or fewer days remaining in the current loan period. Each renewal is for 28 days. Renewals cannot be made for overdue, recalled, or items put on hold by another patron. A renewal request may be submitted either online or at the Circulation Desk.
• Late fine: $1 per day per item up to replacement cost or $10 if the item is returned
• Academic hold will be placed when overdue library fines are applied. Borrowers with academic restrictions will not be able to register for classes or obtain transcripts or diplomas. To remove the hold, the payment must be made by check or cash at Circulation Desk in the library.
• Additional Fees: A library item that is overdue longer than 10 days is assumed damaged/lost. Borrowers are responsible for $10 of overdue fines and the following fees unless the item is returned in good condition.
• Replacement cost: the amount listed in the order record or the list price suggested by library vendors
• Processing fee: $10 for acquiring and cataloging a replacement copy

• Courtesy overdue notices are sent 7 times: 3 days before the due date, 1 day after the due date, and then subsequently every 2 days for five times.
• Recall:
• Materials are subject to recall after 28 days. When recalled, the items must be returned within 4 days. In other words, the due date is reduced to 4 days from the date the recall notice is issued.
• When recalled items are returned by another patron, they will be held at the Circulation Desk for 3 days. If they are not picked up within 3 days, they will be shelved back to the stacks.

Media (DVD, VHS, and CD)

• Loan period: 2 days
• Renewals: Items may be renewed twice when there is 1 day remaining in the current loan period. Each renewal is for 2 days. Renewals cannot be made for overdue, recalled, or items put on hold by another patron. A request may be submitted either online or at the Circulation Desk.
• Late fine: $1 per day per item up to replacement cost or $10 if the item is returned
• Academic hold will be placed when overdue library fines are applied. Borrowers with academic restrictions will not be able to register for classes or obtain transcripts or diplomas. To remove the hold, the payment must be made by check or cash at Circulation Desk in the library.
• Additional Fees: A library item that is overdue longer than 10 days is assumed damaged/lost. Borrowers are responsible for $10 of overdue fines and the following fees unless the item is returned in good condition.
• Replacement cost: the amount listed in the order record or the list price suggested by library vendors
• Processing fee: $10 for acquiring and cataloging a replacement copy
• If a media item is returned with damage, the above additional fees will apply. The damage includes but is not limited to water, heat, and magnetic damage as well as scratches.
• The library assumes no responsibility if a patron's equipment becomes damaged when playing a library media item.
• Courtesy overdue notices are sent 7 times: 1 day before the due date, 1 day after the due date, and then subsequently every 2 days for five times.
• Recall:
• Materials are subject to recall after 7 days. When recalled, the items must be returned within 4 days. In other words, the due date is reduced to 4 days from the date the recall notice is issued.
• When recalled items are returned by another patron, they will be held at the Circulation Desk for 3 days. If they are not picked up within 3 days, they will be shelved back to the stacks.

Periodicals
Print periodicals are not available to students for check out. They are for in-library use only.

Reserves

• Loan period: 2, 4, or 6 hours; however there are some exceptions when requested by professors.
• Renewals: The online renewal form is not available for reserve items. However, they may be checked out again at the Circulation Desk if no one has requested them.
• Late fine: $1 per day per item up to replacement cost or $10 if the item is returned
• Academic hold will be placed when overdue library fines are applied. Borrowers with academic restrictions will not be able to register for classes or obtain transcripts or diplomas. To remove the hold, the payment must be made by check or cash at Circulation Desk in the library.
• Additional Fees: A library item that is overdue longer than 10 days is assumed damaged/lost. Borrowers are responsible for $10 of overdue fines and the following fees unless the item is returned in good condition.
• Replacement cost: the amount listed in the order record or the list price suggested by library vendors
• Processing fee: $10 for acquiring and cataloging a replacement copy
• Courtesy overdue notices are sent 7 times: 1 hour before the due time, 1 hour after the due time, and then subsequently every 2 hours for five times.
• Recall: Due to the short loan period, reserve items cannot be recalled.
• Reserve items must be returned to the Circulation Desk directly. They should not be dropped off in the return boxes since the boxes get checked only every several hours.

Audio Players and Headphones
A limited number of audio players and headphones are available for check out. The loan period is 2 days. The policies indicated in Media apply to these items.

Internet Cables
A limited number of Internet cables are available for check out. Patrons are required to provide an SUA ID or a driver’s license card to a library staff member in exchange for a cable.

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Circulating books
These rules apply to Circulating, Founders’, MA Theses, and ESL Collection.

• Loan period: 90 days
• Renewals: Items may be renewed twice when there are 7 or fewer days remaining in the current loan period. Each renewal is for 28 days. Renewals cannot be made for overdue, recalled, or items put on hold by another patron. A request may be submitted either online or at the Circulation Desk.
• Fines and Fees: A library item that is overdue longer than 10 days is assumed damaged/lost. Borrowers are responsible for the following fees unless the item is returned in good condition.
• Replacement cost: the amount listed in the order record or the list price suggested by library vendors
• Processing fee: $10 for acquiring and cataloging a replacement copy
• Courtesy overdue notices are sent 7 times: 3 days before the due date, 1 day after the due date, and then subsequently every 2 days for five times.
• Recall:
• Materials are subject to recall after 28 days. When recalled, the items must be returned within 4 days. In other words, the due date is reduced to 4 days from the date the recall notice is issued.
• When recalled items are returned by another patron, they will be held at the Circulation Desk for 3 days. If they are not picked up within 3 days, they will be shelved back to the stacks.

Media (DVD, VHS, and CD)

• Loan period: 7 days
• Renewals: Items may be renewed twice when there are 3 or fewer days remaining in the current loan period. Each renewal is for 4 days. Renewals cannot be made for overdue, recalled, or items put on hold by another patron. A request may be submitted either online or at the Circulation Desk.
• Fines and Fees: A library item that is overdue longer than 10 days is assumed damaged/lost. The borrowers are responsible for the following fees unless it is returned in a good condition.
• Replacement cost: the amount listed in the order record or the list price suggested by the library vendors
• Processing fee: $10 for acquiring and cataloging a replacement copy
• Courtesy overdue notices are sent 7 times: 3 days before the due date, 1 day after the due date, and then subsequently every 2 days for five times.
• Recall:
• Materials are subject to recall after 7 days. When recalled, the items must be returned within 4 days. In other words, the due date is reduced to 4 days from the date the recall notice is issued.
• When recalled items are returned by another patron, they will be held at the Circulation Desk for 3 days. If they are not picked up within 3 days, they will be shelved back to the stacks.

Periodicals
Loan period is 7 days. Only manual check out at Circulation Desk is available at this time. No online renewal is possible; a request should be made at Circulation Desk. The fines and fees indicated in Media apply to these items.

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Placing a Hold/Requesting a Recall

• A hold can be placed on a title that is checked out by another patron. To do this online, click the “Request” icon on top of the specific title record. A hold request also may be made at the Circulation Desk.
• If the requested item has been checked out for longer than the guaranteed minimum loan period, the item will be recalled. The recalled item should be returned within 4 days.
• Once the item is returned and ready for check out, it will be held at the Circulation Desk. After 3 days it will be shelved back on the stacks for others to use.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Items

• Loan period is set by the lending institution. The norm is 4 weeks.
• Renewals on ILL material are at the discretion of the lending institution. Renewal requests must be submitted at least 3 days prior to the due date. The online form is available here.
• Late fine: $1 per day per item up to replacement cost or $10 if the item is returned
• Additional Fees: The patron is responsible to pay any other fines and replacement fee accessed by the lending library.
• Courtesy overdue notices are sent 7 times: 3 days before the due date, 1 day after the due date, and then subsequently every 2 days for five times.
• ILL items are subject to recall from the lending institution any time. Upon request, they must be returned immediately.
• ILL items must be returned to Circulation Desk directly. Library return boxes should not be used to prevent items from being damaged.

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Reference Books
Reference books do not circulate; they are for in-library use only. With the permission of a librarian, exceptions may be made for extraordinary circumstances.

Ikeda Collection
The items in the Ikeda Collection were donated by the Founder Daisaku Ikeda at the university’s opening and are housed in the Grand Reading Room on the 4th floor. Those that are identified as fragile are kept in the Special Collection room. More information can be found at http://ikedalibrary.soka.edu/Ikeda_Collection.pdf

The collection items are accessible only via a library page. A retrieval request may be made with the online form.

There are three types of items in this collection:

• Circulating items: The loan rules indicated in regular Circulating books will apply.
• In-house use items: Limited editions, fragile items, private press publications, and reference books are for use in the Reference Room.
• Restricted in-house use items: loose books, items in containers, limited editions, fragile items, and private press publications may qualify as restricted materials and require an exchange of ID for its use. Use is limited for 1 hour in the Reference Room.

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Special Collection
The special Collection room houses donated art books and some Ikeda Collection items. The art books do not circulate. Professors may request some materials from this collection to be put on in-house reserve. This request must be approved by the Library Director. The collection may also be browsed with a prior arrangement with the Director.

Archives
Materials judged appropriate for the archives are currently collected by the library. This includes such materials as commencement speeches and videos, yearbooks, student newspapers, course catalogs, works published by SUA employees, and other items which may prove to have historical significance.

They are available for in-house use only via a library page. A retrieval request may be made with the online form.

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