LRC Library Policies

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Library Cards

You must present a library card to borrow or check out items from the Learning Resources Center (LRC). Individuals affiliated with UAA use the WolfCard as their library card. The WolfCard gives you maximum access to LRC Library materials with the longest possible checkout periods.

We will also accept current library cards from any of our local library partners for most of our items (see the list of our joint library catalog partners at the Consortium Library Website). Guests using a partner library card to check out will have the following reduced checkout periods:

Check Out Periods

In order to accommodate a large number of students, checkout times for many of our materials are limited and overdue fines may be higher than you are accustomed to. Note that our overdue fines are the same as those at the Consortium Library across campus. We also apply a special fine when items designated for use within the LRC building (Sally Monserud Hall) are removed from the building. Please refer to the chart below for additional information.

All users are charged fines equally, regardless of status. Fines begin to accrue as soon as an item becomes overdue, and continue to accrue until the item is checked in, regardless of whether or not the LRC is open.

Be sure to know when your materials are due. It is your responsibility to make sure they are returned on time.

*Note that repeat offenses are subject to disciplinary action in addition to a fine.

Extended Checkout Periods

Upon request, the checkout period for some materials may be extended. For example, you need to borrow a textbook for your 2½ hour math class but the book is only a 2 hour check out. Mention your need to the desk clerk on duty and they may extend your check out period. 

Please be aware that extended checkouts are conditional on the demand for the material, the length of the time extension, and other factors. All hourly materials approved for extended checkout will still be due before the LRC closes that day.

Large Fines & Lost/Damaged Books

Your library account will be blocked when fines reach $5. This will prevent you from checking materials out until all overdue materials are returned or replaced and fines are paid.

Your UAA account will be blocked when fines reach $10. This may prevent registering for classes, graduating, ordering transcripts, etc. until all overdue materials are returned or replaced and fines are paid.

You may be charged non-refundable replacement costs for an overdue item as early as the 3rd day after the due date. The LRC reserves the right to order a replacement copy for overdue items (see chart below). At that time, you will be billed the actual replacement cost of the item, plus a $5 processing fee, plus any outstanding fines. We will attempt to contact you by email and/or phone prior to taking this measure. However, once a replacement copy has been ordered, replacement charges are irreversible and cannot be reduced or refunded. Note: Photocopied articles and UAA distance education videos/DVDs have a flat rate replacement cost of $10 each.

You may be fined for damaged materials or materials returned with missing parts, up to the cost to replace the item, plus a $5 processing fee, plus any outstanding fines. Amount charged and whether a replacement copy will be accepted in lieu of full payment is at the sole discretion of the LRC Librarian/Library Manager.

Overdue Notices

The shared library system is set up to send out a courtesy email reminder 3 days before your item is due. It sends another email out when your item is 5-7 days overdue. Generally, the next notice you will receive is a bill for the replacement of the item.

Since many of the LRC items have checkout periods of less than 3 days, because we may replace items before the overdue notice email is sent out, and because email is often diverted to junk mail, it is important that you not rely entirely on these notices. Always know when your items are due when you check them out.

Renewals

Most of the materials held in the LRC Library are part of a special collection (Reserves) that cannot be renewed. If you need a Reserve item beyond your initial check out time, you may have the option of renewing it one time as long as no other patron has been asking or waiting for it. Simply bring the item and your WolfCard to the front desk and the clerk will verify whether the item is eligible for renewal. Please note that Reserve materials cannot be renewed over the phone.

LRC Library items not in the Reserve collection may be renewed twice in person, over the phone (907-786-6890), or online (by logging in to your account at consortiumlibrary.org).

If you are unsure whether or not your item is eligible for renewal, please ask at the LRC front desk in person or over the phone (907-786-6890) before your item is due.

Returning Items

There are several options for returning LRC Library items, depending on the type of item you have checked out and when it is due. It is best to return LRC Reserve materials (items with a round neon sticker on the spine) directly to the LRC desk clerk on duty during the LRC’s hours of operation, particularly for 2- and 4-Hour items and those due that day.

All items accrue fines until they are physically checked in by library staff. The LRC book drop is checked only at opening and closing each day we are open.

LRC Library Reserve items (LRC items with a round neon sticker next to the call number on the spine of the book) may be returned to:

• the LRC front desk, or
  
  
• the book drop located in the East hallway of Sally Monserud Hall (SMH), between the central LRC area and the LRC Math Lab.

Items from the LRC media collection and general collection may be returned to:

• the LRC front desk,
  
  
• the book drop located in the East hallway of Sally Monserud Hall (SMH), between the central LRC area and the LRC Math Lab,
  
  
• the Consortium Library,
  
  
• any Anchorage Municipal Library branch, or
  
  
• any other partner library (see the list of our partners at the Consortium Library).

Items handed directly to library staff will be checked in right away. Items left in book drops will be checked in when the book drop is next checked, usually at the end of the day (or the next day the library is open).

You may also return items owned by any of our partner libraries to the LRC book drop or the LRC front desk! Note that Consortium Library Reserve items that have a yellow rectangular sticker on the spine must be returned directly to the Consortium Library.

Holds

Most of the materials held in the LRC Library are part of a special collection (Reserves) that cannot be placed on hold or reserved. They are available on a first come, first served basis. LRC Library items not in the Reserve collection may be placed on hold.

To determine whether an LRC item may be placed on hold – and to place a hold if you are able – find the item in the online library catalog. If you see a “Place Hold” link to the right of the title, the item may be held. If you are unsure how to place a hold, try viewing the “Placing a Hold” tutorial video. Alternatively, you can speak with an LRC desk clerk or Consortium Library circulation desk clerk for assistance with placing an item on hold.

Any item that you place on hold using the online library catalog may now be picked up at the LRC. See an exciting DVD owned by the Anchorage Municipal Library? Find some great Consortium Library books for your research paper? Just select “UAA Learning Resources Center” as your pick up location! You will receive an email when the item is at the LRC and ready for you to check out.

Maximum Number of Checkouts

Undergraduate students and staff using a WolfCard may borrow up to 25 items at a time (including items from the Consortium Library or other partner libraries). No more than four (4) of those items may be from the LRC Reserve collection.

Faculty and graduate students using a WolfCard may borrow up to 50 items at a time (including items from the Consortium Library or other partner libraries). No more than four (4) of those items may be from the LRC Reserve collection.

Guests using a partner library card may checkout up to 25 items at a time. No more than two (2) of those items may be from the Reserve collection and no more than five (5) of those items may be from the LRC media collection.

Questions and Concerns

Our friendly LRC desk clerks can answer most of the questions you may have about the LRC Library and our policies. They are available in person or over the phone (907-786-6890) during the LRC’s hours of operation. Questions not requiring an immediate answer may also be referred to the LRC Librarian, D’Arcy Hutchings (907-786-6831 or dlhutchings@uaa.alaska.edu).