Borrowing Policies

• Books:
  • 16-week loan, guaranteed three weeks, except if needed for class reserves
  • 75-book maximum with renewals
• Reading Room Books: Two-week loan, one renewal, two-book limit
• CDs, LPs: Ten-day loan, one renewal, six-item limit
• DVDs: Three-day loan, one renewal, six-item limit

Includes Architecture and Folsom Libraries

You must present a picture ID, driver’s license, passport, etc.

Available for checkout and a one-time renewal are the following material types, up to a combined three-item limit:

• Books: Three-week loan
• CDs, LPs: Ten-day loan
• DVDs: Three-day loan
• Reading Room/Popular Reading Books: Two-week loan (two-book limit)

Includes Architecture and Folsom Libraries

Please note: Borrowing privileges do not include off-site access to licensed electronic materials (i.e., databases and e-journals) or on-site access to licensed resources that require RPI authentication.

As a general policy, we do not issue DAP cards as we can meet RPI users' needs through interlibrary loan services. However, if you are an RPI faculty, staff, or student who cannot access materials through ILL, and believes that a DAP card would provide access to those materials, please let us know. We will consider issuing DAP cards on a case-by-case basis.

DAP cardholders from other institutions should contact the library issuing their DAP card before visiting RPI Libraries in person to ensure they can check out our materials. DAP lending is available on Mondays - Fridays, until 5 pm, and applies to the following definition of an eligible user, provided by CDLC's Direct Access Program guidelines: Eligible users need extensive use of RPI Libraries' materials only after the home library’s resources have been fully utilized. The DAP program is not designed for use when interlibrary loan would suffice. If a DAP cardholder can access interlibrary loan services through their issuing library, we will direct them to request our materials through ILL instead whenever possible.

DAP cardholders must abide by the lending policies of RPI Libraries.

• First-time borrowers must present a government-issued photo ID with their current mailing address and prepare for additional time needed for library staff to create a local borrower record.
• All borrowers must be prepared to present a driver's license, passport, or other government-issued photo ID alongside their DAP card when they visit the library.
• Renew loans or return materials within specified time periods.
• Return materials on or before the due date. (Vacations or extended absences do not exempt borrowers from this condition.)
• Accept responsibility for payment of fines for overdue materials or replacement costs for materials lost or damaged while on loan.
• Books: Three-week loan, three-book limit

The Rensselaer Libraries offer limited services to employees of companies located in the Rensselaer Technology Park or the Emerging Ventures Ecosystem (EVE) in the Rice Building.

Rensselaer affiliates may request a Courtesy Card at the Folsom or Architecture Library Service Desk to borrow books. Borrowers with these "courtesy" privileges may check out up to three books and/or technical reports for a three-week loan period.

If you still have questions, please contact the Library staff.

• To request an item in the Rensselaer Libraries Catalog with a status of "available," please utilize our Interlibrary Loan services and note your Rensselaer at Work status on the request.
• To request an item in the Rensselaer Libraries Catalog already out on loan, use the "Request" button on the record in the Rensselaer Libraries Catalog, and then log in using your RCS ID and password.

Interlibrary Loan

Rensselaer at Work affiliates new to Interlibrary Loan should log in to ILLiad using their RCS user ID and password to create their record, including their shipping address.

Shipping Information and Policies

All requested physical materials will be sent via UPS to the Rensselaer at Work affiliate’s specified shipping address. Each package contains a pre-paid return shipping label, so all affiliates should take care opening the shipping container and save it in case it is needed for return shipping.

If return shipping is required, the Libraries on the Troy campus must receive any returned items by their due date to avoid any overdue billing.

• A borrowed library item becomes overdue ten days after it is due or has been recalled. Borrowers may be billed for the full replacement cost plus a $20.00 processing fee for each unreturned item.
• Replacement costs are obtained from library acquisition data and other professional sources and may include an additional $150.00 search fee for out-of-print materials.
• Borrowers will be billed for the repair or replacement costs of any library materials that are returned damaged.

Payment and Billing

• Unsettled Rensselaer student library fines are considered delinquent 30 days after the issue. These fines will be billed to the student’s Bursar account and may be paid at the Bursar’s Office.
• Bills may also be charged to a departmental account.
• Bills to all other borrowers must be paid by check and made payable to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This may be done in person at the Library's Service Desk or by mailing the check to:

Folsom Library, Attn: Admin Office
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th St, Troy, NY 12180

• Ownership of billed library material resides with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Payment of replacement costs and/or other charges does not transfer ownership.
• Borrowing privileges may remain suspended until billed materials are returned to the Library, regardless of the payment status of bills.
• Billing inquiries should be directed to the Folsom Service Desk, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM, or to the Architecture Service Desk, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
• Any borrowers who believe a billing or a record-keeping error has occurred should contact the Service Desk at Folsom Library.

Loss of Borrowing Privileges

• General borrowing privileges will be suspended for individuals who owe fines or have overdue Interlibrary Loan books.
• Borrowing privileges may remain suspended until billed materials are returned to the Libraries, regardless of the payment status of any bill.

Renewals

You may renew your loan in one of the following ways:

• With your library account, if the item is not overdue.
• In person at the Service Desk
• By email
• By telephone: Folsom Library: (518) 276-8310; Architecture Library: (518) 276-6465

Renewal loans will be extended if the following conditions are met:

• The items are not needed for Course Reserve or by another borrower.
• It has been less than ten days since the loan was due to expire.
• The borrower does not have other delinquent loans, unsettled fines, or suspended borrowing privileges.

Recalls

• All loans are subject to recall by the Libraries at any time for Course Reserve or three weeks after the date of loan when needed by another borrower.
• Replacement costs, plus a processing fee, will be charged for recalled items not returned within the specified period.
• When a recalled item has been returned, the requester will receive an email notification, and the Service Desk will hold the item for ten days pending pick-up.

Holds

• You can place a hold on a physical library item and pick it up from the library when you receive an email notification that the item is available.
• Find the physical item you want in the Catalog or Discovery Tool and select "Place Hold." Then, log in with your RCS ID and follow the prompts to place a hold on the item.
• If the item is available, library staff will retrieve it within 24 business hours (Monday through Friday), and you will receive an email notification when it is ready for pickup at the service desk.
• Bring your RPI ID card with you to pick up the item.

You may return your borrowed Library materials by the following methods:

• Drop them off in person at the Folsom or Architecture Library Service Desks.
• Use the book drop located outside the main entrance of Folsom Library.
• Send them via campus mail or the US mail to:

Folsom Library, Attn: Circulation
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th St, Troy, NY 12180

or

Architecture Library, Attn: Circulation
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th St, Troy, NY 12180

Receipts for the return of Rensselaer Libraries' materials are supplied upon request. In addition, materials borrowed directly from other area libraries with a CDLC Direct Access Program (DAP) Card or Interlibrary Loan must also be returned to the Folsom Library.

If you believe you returned an item that is still on your record, please contact the Service Desk. Library staff will check the shelves for items. However, fines and replacement costs will not be automatically waived.