Sometimes borrowing is referred to as “loaning” or “circulating.”
Borrow: Items from the TCNJ library may be borrowed for various loan periods based on the item type, location, and borrower type. All items are borrowed and returned at the Access Services Desk on the library’s first floor. TCNJ borrowers also have access and privileges at other libraries.
Return: All items must be returned on or before the due date. When the library is closed, items may be returned in the book drop located to the right of the library’s south entrance. Media items (sound and video recordings) should not be placed in the return book drop; borrowers will be held responsible for any incurred damages.
Borrower Types
Sometimes borrowers are referred to as “patrons”
Undergraduate Students
Current undergraduate students may borrow up to 50 items at a time from most of Gitenstein Library’s circulating collections items for three weeks, with 2 renewals.
| Material Type | Loan Periods | Limits | Renewals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books, Music Scores, Pictures (visual aids), Sound recordings, Video Recordings | 3 weeks | 50 items total | 2 |
| Government docs (some are non-circulating) | 1 week | 10 items | 1 |
| Reserves | 2-hours, 3-hours, 2-days, or 7-days | 4 items total | N/A |
| Other (e.g., whiteboard kits, headphones, DVD drives) | 3-hours | 2 items | N/A |
| Interlibrary Loan Materials | Determined by Lending Library | Determined by Lending Library | Determined by Lending Library |
Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students
Current and emeriti faculty, staff, and graduate students may borrow unlimited items from most of Gitenstein Library’s circulating collections for one semester with 3 renewals.
| Material Type | Loan Periods | Limits | Renewals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books, Music Scores, Pictures (visual aids), Sound recordings, Video Recordings | 1 semester | No limit | 3 |
| Government docs (some are non-circulating) | 1 week | No limit | 1 |
| Reserves | 2-hours, 3-hours, 2-days, or 7-days | 4 items total | N/A |
| Other (e.g., whiteboard kits, headphones, DVD drives) | 3-hours | 2 items | N/A |
| Interlibrary Loan Materials | Determined by Lending Library |
Determined by Lending Library | Determined by Lending Library |
Alumni and Guests
Alumni and Guests may borrow up to 20 items at a time from most of Gitenstein Library’s circulating collections for three weeks with 2 renewals. See types of Non-TCNJ Library Users.
| Material Type | Loan Periods | Limits | Renewals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books, Music Scores, Pictures (visual aids), Sound recordings, Video Recordings | 3 weeks | 20 items total | 2 |
| Government docs (some are non-circulating) | 1 week | 10 items | 1 |
| Reserves | 2-hours, 3-hours, 2-days, or 7-days | 4 items total | N/A |
| Other (e.g., whiteboard kits, headphones, DVD drives) | 3-hours | 2 items | N/A |
| Interlibrary Loan Materials | Determined by Lending Library | Determined by Lending Library | Determined by Lending Library |
Proxy Borrowers
Proxy Borrowers are TCNJ borrowers designated by a TCNJ Faculty/Staff member as their proxy to borrow items on their behalf for one semester at a time. Faculty/Staff members are responsible for all fines and charges for items borrowed by proxy borrowers.
Borrower’s Responsibilities
Borrower’s responsibilities: Borrowers are responsible for presenting identification when borrowing items and for all items on their accounts, including overdue fines and replacement charges for items damaged, lost, or stolen.
Borrower identification must be presented to the Access Services staff in order to borrow items from the library.
- TCNJ students faculty and staff identification must be a current TCNJ ID card (or app)
- Guests may request a borrowing card.
- TCNJ Alumni may obtain an Alumni Card through the alumni office (alumni@tcnj.edu)
Loan Periods and Renewals
Loan Periods and the right to renew library items already on loan are determined by a combination of location, item type, and borrower type (see tables above). Items such as reference, periodicals, microforms, selected music scores, and archival items are non-circulating, unless a special permission is granted by a librarian.
Renewals can made for a new due date for borrowed library items either at the Access Services Desk, through the online library account*, or by emailing circ@tcnj.edu. Online renewals must be requested prior to an item’s due date. Items requested by another borrower, or needed for Reserves, cannot be renewed.
*See the Interlibrary Loan page for ILLiad account information
Overdue and Lost Items (including information about fines)
Overdue items are items not returned to the library by the due date. (See MyAccount to verify an item’s due date or to renew the due date)
- Borrowers with overdue items will lose their borrowing privileges. Privileges will be reinstated only when all overdue library items are returned, and/or financial obligations are resolved.
- Items returned after the due date will be subject to a late fine. Most items accrue a late fine of $0.50/day. Reserves and other short-term loan items accrue a late fine of $1.00/hour.*
- The maximum fine for any item is $15.00 per item.
- TCNJ faculty and staff members do not accrue fines, but their borrowing privileges will be suspended when they have overdue items.
Lost items are overdue items that have not been returned or renewed after 28 days past the due date. After an item is considered lost, the library will send the borrower an invoice to replace the lost book.
- All borrowers will be charged the current replacement cost (or $50.00 if the replacement cost is unknown) for lost or damaged items.*
*Fines and Charges (as approved by the TCNJ Board of Trustees on July 10, 2012) are determined by a combination of the type of loan, a borrower’s category, and the nature of a financial obligation.
Payments, Refunds, and Notices
Payments may be remitted at the Access Services Desk by Get It Card, check, or cash. If by mail, a check should be made payable to The College of New Jersey and sent to the following address: R. Barbara Gitenstein Library, (attn. Access Services) The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ 08628.
- Unpaid student fines and charges will be transferred to Student Accounts after 180 days overdue.
Refunds will be issued only if a lost item has been found and returned to the library before 180 days overdue; a refund for the replacement copy may be requested. No refunds will be issued for items over 180 days overdue.
Notices will be sent to borrowers’ registered email addresses regarding the status of borrowed items.
- Courtesy notices are sent three days in advance, reminding the borrower of the approaching due date of borrowed items.
- Overdue notices are sent when items are not returned to the library or renewed by the due date. Multiple overdue notices will be sent before an item is declared lost: the day after an item becomes overdue, 7 days after the due date, and two additional notices following in 7-day increments.
- Lost item invoices are sent when items are 28 days overdue.