Borrow, Renew, Return

By borrowing library materials you are agreeing to pay any fine or fee that is charged for materials that are returned late, damaged or lost.

Borrow

Renew

Return

Fines

Recall


Who can check out materials?

  • North Carolina residents
  • Staff of UNC Hospitals
  • Faculty, staff, students and alumni of UNC-Chapel Hill
  • Faculty, staff, and students of the UNC-System and NC Community Colleges
  • Faculty, staff, and students of Triangle Regional Libraries Network institutions

 

How do I check out materials?

Image representing all forms of acceptable identification

Present current, valid identification at the User Services Desk.  Valid forms of identification:

  • UNC Onecard
  • UNC Hospital badge
  • North Carolina Drivers License, Passport, or other photo ID
  • Proof of membership in the UNC Alumni Association
  • Borrower’s Cards, which can be obtained by filling out a borrower’s application form

 

For more details, please visit our Cards and Access page.

 

How long can I check out materials?

Materials Time
Books
  • Faculty: 180 days
  • Graduate Students: 90 days
  • Undergraduate Students: 30 days
  • UNC Staff: 180 days
  • Non-affiliated Borrowers: 30 days
Audiovisuals (Videos/DVDs) 7 days
Journals Bound journals circulate for 30 days.  Unbound journals are in-library use only.

1 hour (non-UNC affiliates)

Reserves Assigned by instructor.  Can vary between:

  • 4 hours,
  • one day,
  • 3 days, or
  • 7 days
Phones, computer chargers and dongles 3 hours
May not leave the library
Books obtained via interlibrary loan Determined by lending library

 

The doctor/faculty member I am working for wants me to check out books for him/her.  Can I do that?

We cannot check out books to another person’s card for security reasons, but we can give you a special library card that lets you check out books on her behalf. Simply fill out the Research Assistant Form and bring completed form to the library to receive your card, which will allow you to check out books under the faculty member’s account.

 

Can I renew materials?

Materials Renewals
Books 6 automatic renewals unless requested by another user
Audiovisuals (Videos/DVDs) Up to 2 times
Books borrowed via interlibrary loan Determined by the lending library.  See the slip on the book or inquire with ILL if renewal is allowed.

 

How do I renew materials?

Books/Audiovisuals

  • Online via MyLibrary
  • At the service desk in the HSL or the circulation desk of any UNC Library
  • Call the service desk at 919-962-0800

 

Books obtained via interlibrary loan

 

Where can I return materials?

  • Books checked out from the HSL may be returned to any UNC-Chapel Hill Library
  • Audiovisuals should be returned to the HSL
  • Books obtained via interlibrary loan must be returned to the HSL

 

What are the fines for overdue materials?

Materials Overdue Maximum* Lost Recall fine
(no grace)
Books $10 billing fee at 35 days overdue $75 $75
Audio Visuals (videos and DVDs) 3 day grace period, then $1.00 a day for 10 days Cost of Item Cost of Item
Journals $10 billing fee at 35 days overdue Cost of Item Cost of Item
Reserves $1.00 per day $25 Cost of Item
Laptops $0 $0 Up to $1500
Keys Lost fee Lost fee $25
Headphones, Ethernet Cords, Remote Controls $0 $0 Cost of Item
Phones, computer chargers and dongles $1.00 per hour (4 hour loan) $Cost of Item Cost of Item
Interlibrary Loan $0 Varies Cost of Item

* Maximum fine is accrued at 35 days overdue when item is billed lost. When an “Assumed Lost” item is returned, the lost fee is removed but will be expected to pay $10 billing fee, plus any recall fines.

Patrons will be charged for damaged items according to the damage up to the cost of replacement.


Additional fines apply to books that have been recalled for another borrower. Recall fines add $0.50 per item per day to overdue items. There is no grace period for recall fines; fines begin accruing as soon as the book is overdue. The addition of the recall fine can more than double the total fine charged.

How do I pay a fine?

Pay fines and fees with cash or check at the service desk (hours), or by sending a check to the Health Sciences Library, ATTN: Stefanie Nutting (address).  Students must pay fines and fees at the Cashier’s Office after the day the fine is incurred or else it will be transferred to their Student Account, payable through the Students Accounts Office

 

I have a fine that I would like to appeal.  How do I do this?

Prompt returns enable use by the largest number of people. Fines help encourage prompt returns.

Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy. It is your responsibility to return all borrowed materials on time and to keep contact information current by contacting the library or updating your information on MyLibrary.

We have two options available for fine appeals. First, you can come by the service desk to pick up a paper copy of the fine appeal form. Second, you can complete our online fine appeal form if you are off-site and/or cannot come by the service desk.

Invalid excuses for dismissal of fines:

  • Lack of knowledge of due date or charges, including processing fees;
  • Failure to receive a notice or bill; and
  • Material checked out for someone else or given to someone else

 

A book I need is checked out.  Can I place a hold/recall on the book?

For UNC Affiliates

  • Click on the “little truck” icon catalogrequesticon.png from within the catalog
  • If you have an ILLiad account, login to your account. If you do not have an ILLiad account, you will need to create one.
  • Once you are in your ILLiad account, return to the catalog and again click on the truck icon next to the book you wish to request.
  • Submit request

 

For non-UNC Affiliates

 

I need a book from another campus library.  Can I have it sent to HSL?

For UNC Affiliates

  • Click on the “little truck” icon catalogrequesticon.png from within the catalog
  • If you have an ILLiad account, login to your account. If you do not have an ILLiad account, you will need to create one.
  • Once you are in your ILLiad account, return to the catalog and again click on the truck icon next to the book you wish to request.
  • On the ILL form, next to “If UNC copy is unavailable”, select the option from the drop down menu
  • Submit request

 

A book I need is listed as “in transit” in the catalog.  What does that mean?

In Transit in the catalog means that the book was returned to another library and is being sent back to the library where the book belongs. This may take a couple of days. Your best bet if you encounter this is to place a hold on the book and you will be notified when it finally reaches its destination.

 

I need to reserve/hold a video/DVD for a class.  How do I do this?

You can do one of the follow and be sure to have the information on the video or DVD that you need::

  • Call the service desk at 919-962-0800
  • Email your request to Ask a Librarian
  • Come to the service desk

 

I need materials that UNC-Chapel Hill does not own.  How can I request these materials and what is the cost?

For UNC Affiliates

  • Logon to or create your ILLiad account
  • Fill in and submit the book or photocopy form depending on the material needed
  • There is no fee for this service.

 

For non-UNC Affiliates

  • Visit your local public library for book requests

 

Last modified: 01/24/23