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Circulation

The circulation desk is on the main floor of the library at the front door.

Borrowing Policies

For Emory University Faculty and Staff:

• Books circulate to University and Hospital staff for 28 days.
• Books circulate to faculty for 365 days.
• Faculty may also check out periodicals (bound or individual volumes) and reference items for 24 hours.
• There is no limit to number of items that can be borrowed; items can be renewed if they have not been recalled and borrowing privileges are current.

For Emory University Students:

• Books circulate to Graduate Students for 120 days.
• Books circulate to Undergraduate Students for 28 days.
• Reserve items do not circulate during the day, but may be checked out overnight, one hour before closing, and are due within one hour of the library opening.
• Cross-registered students (from Columbia, ITC, McAfee) may check-out books from Pitts Library by coming to the circulation desk, identifying themselves as a cross-registered student, and showing an ID from their primary school.
• There is no limit to number of items that can be borrowed; items can be renewed if they have not been recalled and borrowing privileges are current.

For Alumni/ae:

• Alumni/ae may acquire borrowing privileges by first registering with the Emory University Alumni Association and procuring an Alumni/ae ID card. A library user account may be established after this card has been obtained and presented at the library.
• Books circulate to Alumni/ae for 28 days.
• Up to 200 items that can be borrowed; items can be renewed if they have not been recalled and borrowing privileges are current.

For Visitors:

• Anyone may visit the Pitts Library and use library resources in the building.
• Faculty and currently enrolled students from the following institutions may borrow items if they are in good standing with their home library (which must be validated at the time of check out via phone) and present a valid school ID (Faculty may borrow up to 25 items for 365 days, and students may borrow 25 items for 1 month; items can be reviewed if they have not been recalled and borrowing privileges are current):
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Georgia State University
  • University of Georgia
• Faculty and students from the following institutions may request borrowing privileges by first consulting with their home library and obtaining an Inter-library Use Card (ILU card). The student or faculty should present this card with a picture ID. Faculty may borrow up to 25 items for 365 days, and students may borrow 25 items for 1 month; items can be reviewed if they have not been recalled and borrowing privileges are current. Students and faculty from the following schools are eligible for ILU cards:
  • Agnes Scott
  • Atlanta University Center
  • Brenau University
  • Clayton College and State University
  • Columbia Theological Seminary
  • Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC)
  • Kennesaw State University
  • Mercer University [Atlanta Campus Only]
  • Oglethorpe University
  • Savannah College of Art and Design [Atlanta campus]
  • Southern Polytechnic State University
  • State University of West Georgia
• Community members with no Emory affiliation may purchase borrowing privileges for Pitts Library and Woodruff Library. The fee is $100 for a one-year membership, or $75 for a six month membership. This fee is waved for United Methodist and Lutheran clergy members in the North Georgia Conference. Items may be borrowed for the length of the membership, and may be renewed if they have not been recalled and the membership is renewed.

• Visiting Faculty from outside Atlanta may request courtesy library privileges through the Office of the Academic Dean at Candler School of Theology.  The following procedures and policies will apply:

  1. Obtain letter with Candler letterhead requesting library privileges from the Academic Dean, noting duration of visit,  and have this letter forwarded or brought to the Pitts Library Circulation Desk, with both local and home address, phone, and email contacts.
  2. Library privileges will include check-out of books and use of library databases in Pitts Library (not off-campus access). Please note any special needs when setting up your library account.
  3. Visiting scholars have the responsibility to pay over-due fines and replace any lost books. 
  4. Visiting faculty may borrow up to 100 items for 365 days or the length of their visit, whichever is shorter.

Recalls

Any registered patron may recall any checked out item from another patron through use of the blue Request button in the item’s online catalog record. When an item is recalled, the current user is given 14 days to return the item. The item is then held for the requesting patron for 8 days.

Fines

Overdue fines for recalled items accrue at a rate of $2 per day.

Regular overdue items accrue fines at a rate of $.50 per day with a maximum fine of $50.

The fee for a lost book is a minimum $65. This includes a $50 item replacement fee plus a $15 processing fee. The replacement fee may be higher according to actual replacement cost of the item.