Borrow Books and Textbooks

Policies & Guidelines

Textbooks/Course Reserves

The library has an extensive collection of course textbooks on reserve.

  • One copy of each textbook is generally for in-library use only.
  • Additional copies check out for 7 days (in a few cases, 3 days).
  • Check-out periods shorten near the end of a semester.
  • One course reserves book may be checked out at a time. Exceptions are made for accompanying study guides.
  • Course reserves books cannot be renewed.
  • A patron must wait until the next business day to initiate a new check-out of any returned book.
  • Returned books may not be held.
  • Returned materials will be reshelved and made available for other patrons. If the book is still available the next business day, the previous borrower may initiate a new check-out at that time.

Circulating Books

  • Up to 10 circulating (non-reserve) books may be checked out simultaneously, with a limit of 5 books from any one call number range.
  • Books check out for 4 weeks.
  • Check-out periods shorten near the end of a semester.
  • Books can be renewed one time each, for an additional 2-week period.
  • Books must be renewed on or before their due date.
  • Overdue books may not be renewed.
  • Books cannot be renewed if a hold request has been placed by another patron, or if the library needs to recall the item.
  • A patron must wait until the next business day to initiate a new check-out of any returned book.
  • Returned books may not be held.
  • Returned materials will be reshelved and made available for other patrons. If the book is still available the next business day, the previous borrower may initiate a new check-out at that time.
  • Books can be renewed online via the My Library Account link on the library website.

Need help finding books or textbooks?

Ask a librarian at the reference desk, we are ALWAYS happy to help!

Visit the Find Resources page.

Fines & Fees for Overdue/Lost Materials

If you do not return library items within seven days of the posted due date, late charges will be assessed per item per day until the accumulated charges equal the replacement cost of the item.

  • Circulating items: $2.00 plus 25 cents per item per day
  • Circulating Reserve items: $2.00 plus 50 cents per item per day
  • Lost Materials: a $7.00 processing fee per item plus the cost of the item
  • Reserve Library Use Only (LUO) materials: $5.00 per item per day for unauthorized removal. Campus Police will be notified and a report taken; disciplinary actions may result.

If you have an overdue fine, there will be a hold placed on your student account. 

Please contact the Circulation staff at 619-388-7310 for help in paying the fine and removing the hold.
If you need to speak with someone for more information about checkout policies and fines, please call the Circulation Desk, (619) 388-7310. 

Returning Your Checked-Out Library Books

Library book drop located in front of the Arts and Humanities Building H.

A self-service bookdrop is located near the main entrance to the H Building (Arts and Humanities).

To get there, enter parking lot #2 from Black Mountain Road and head for the H Building. The bookdrop is located close to the curb right in front of the main entrance. Simply swing by and drop your books into the slot.

There is also a self-service bookdrop just outside of the library's main entrance on the second floor of the LLRC building.

Note: Laptop computers and calculators cannot be returned in the bookdrop.