Books

Faculty, staff, and graduate assistants may borrow books for one (1) semester and may borrow up to 50 items from the general collections. Present your Bronco Card whenever you wish to borrow library items.

Responsibilities

Please do not loan your Bronco Card or borrow materials for others. Only the cardholder is eligible for borrowing privileges. You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your Bronco Card and for returning borrowed items either on or before its due date.

Eligibility

You are eligible to borrow library materials under this policy if you:

• Have a current WMU ID card designated faculty/staff, permanent or temporary.
• Are a retired member of WMU faculty or staff.
• Are a graduate assistant at WMU for the current semester.
• Are enrolled in a 700 level course for writing a thesis or dissertation;
• Have a validated faculty/staff card from an institution with which WMU has a reciprocal agreement.

If you will be absent from the University for one semester or longer, you must return or renew all materials. If renewing, you must leave a forwarding address with the library. Non-circulating and specialized materials may have different circulation policies and borrowing periods. Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan are subject to the policies of the Resource Sharing Department and the lending library.

Recalled books

All library materials are subject to recall. If the library recalls an item you have borrowed (via e-mail notification), you must return it by the due date indicated on the recall notice, or pay a fine for each day that the item(s) is overdue. You are guaranteed use of the material for at least 14 days. An ordinary overdue is assessed if the recall date is after the original due date. During an extended absence, you are responsible for returning recalled items.

Returning items

Books may be returned to Waldo Library or one of the branch libraries on campus or through one of our convenient drop boxes.

Renewals

You may renew items online or physically bring the items to any library circulation desk. For online renewals, please be careful to review your results to make certain renewals were completed successfully. You are responsible for the accuracy of online self-renewals. The University Libraries will support the due dates displayed online.

Borrowing privileges will be suspended if you:

• Owe $100.00 or more in fines, replacement costs, or billing fees; or
• Have 10 or more items 45 days or more overdue; or
• Have one or more recalled items overdue

MeLCat Items

MeLCat is an online catalog that combines the catalogs of several Michigan libraries, including academic, public and K-12 school libraries. Requesting items through MeLCat is free for all WMU students, faculty, and staff. The loan period for MeLCat books and most circulating materials is three (3)weeks.

To learn how to borrow MeLCat items from the University Libraries' Web site, visit the University Libraries' Quickstart Guide , or visit the MeLCat Support Center.

Responsibilities

You are responsible for all materials borrowed through MelCat and for returning borrowed items either on or before its due date as well as paying any late fees, damages, or replacement costs. These fees vary depending on lending library.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled WMU students, faculty, staff and emeritus faculty may request books directly from MeLCat.

Western Michigan University also participates in the Visiting Patron program.  This means that you can go to MeLCat Visiting Patron participating libraries and check out materials using your Bronco NetID Card (please be sure you have your WIN number). Participating MeLCat libraries

What can you borrow?

• Books, videos, and other materials from MeLCat that the University Libraries do not own.
• Items owned by the University Libraries may not be ordered through MeLCat unless they are checked out.
• At this time MeLCat does not provide periodical (e.g. magazines) or journal articles.
• You may request up to 50 items from MeLCat at one time.

Restrictions

• A book that the University Libraries owns will NOT be ordered unless it is missing or in circulation.
• An entire volume or issue of a journal will NOT be ordered - only a specific article.
• Textbooks for a class will NOT be ordered.
• Items will NOT be borrowed to be put on Reserve in the University Libraries.
• Patrons are allowed to ask for only ONE renewal.

Most Libraries will not lend: audiovisual materials, reference books, reserve books, rare or valuable materials which are difficult to replace, and material in high demand at the lending institution.

How much does it cost?

MeLCat is free for all WMU students, faculty, and staff.

How to request items through MeLCat

First check the library catalog to verify that the University Libraries do not own the material you are requesting. Then search MeLCat and follow the instructions for requesting the item . Phone requests are not accepted.

When Will I Receive the Material?

You will be notified by e-mail at your official WMU e-mail account when MeLCat items are available to be picked up.  You will also receive email overdue and cancellation notices.

When the material arrives

Materials can be picked up and returned at the Resource Sharing Department, located on the second floor of Waldo Library, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and at the Patron Services Window, located on the first floor of Waldo Library, when the Resource Sharing Department is closed and on weekends.

Returning items

MeLCat items may be returned to the Resource Sharing Department, located on the second floor of Waldo Library, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m.

When the Resource Sharing Department is closed, you may pick up and return items at the Patron Services Window, located on the first floor of Waldo Library, after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends.

Renewals

The loan period for MeLCat books and most circulating materials is three (3)weeks.  One renewal may be granted for an additional 3 weeks.  Audio/visual materials have a loan period of one week. A/V materials cannot be renewed. Renew MeLCat items by accessing your MyMeL account.

DVDs & Videotapes

• DVDs and videotapes from the Instructional Video Collection may be borrowed for seven (7) days.
• Faculty teaching at Regional Centers have an extended loan period of 17 days. Items will be shipped directly to the individual. Borrowers are responsible for all return shipping costs in returning library materials on or before due date.
• DVDs and videotapes in this collection are restricted to classroom use and individual study only.

Responsibilities

Please do not loan your Bronco Card or borrow materials for others. Only the cardholder is eligible for borrowing privileges. You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your Bronco Card and for returning borrowed items either on or before its due date.

Eligibility

You are eligible to borrow library materials under this policy if you are faculty, staff, or graduate assistant with a current Bronco Card.

Materials not in the Video Collection

Videos may be available through interlibrary loan or MeLCat. Please check with University Libraries' Resource Sharing Department at Waldo Library, (269) 387-5172.

Renewals

• Faculty, staff, and graduate assistants may renew items only once for an additional seven days. Renewals may be done online at My Library Accounts.
• Renewals will not be allowed if another reservation is scheduled within renewal period.

Returning Materials

For patron convenience items in this collection may also be returned to Waldo Library, Education Library, Music and Dance Library, or University Libraries drop boxes.

Slides & Images

Faculty, staff, and graduate assistants may borrow slide and picture file materials from the Visual Resources Library for two (2) weeks. CD-ROMs circulate for 1 week with a maximum of two renewals.

Materials from the Visual Resources Library may be borrowed by full-time, board appointed adjunct, and part-time faculty; staff; and enrolled students of Western Michigan University and its off campus teaching sites who have been issued a Bronco Card. Retired professors also have borrowing privileges.

Materials from the Visual Resources Library cannot be borrowed by outside institutions or individuals.

Responsibilities

All patrons must initially register to use the Visual Resource Library and attend an orientation session to learn how to navigate the collection and pull slides.

Please do not loan your Bronco Card or borrow materials for others. Only the cardholder is eligible for borrowing privileges. You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your Bronco Card and for returning borrowed items either on or before its due date.

Eligibility

You are eligible to borrow library materials under this policy if you:

• Have a current Bronco Card or Continuing Education card.
• Participate in a special admission program (e.g. CELCIS) and have either a current Bronco Card or proof of registration.
• Have a validated student ID card from an institution with which WMU has a reciprocal agreement.
• Currently enrolled students of Western Michigan University and its off campus teaching sites who have been issued a Bronco Card.
• Full-time, board appointed adjunct, and part-time faculty
• WMU staff
• Retired professors also have borrowing privileges.

Returning materials

Returning materials to the Visual Resources Library can be done during regular hours. If the Visual Resources Library is closed, materials can be returned to the circulation desk of the Education Library (Third floor, 3300 Sangren Hall).

Please do not return slides, flat pictures, or CD-ROMS to Waldo Library, the Music and Dance Library, and the Archives or put them in any of theUniversity Libraries' drop boxes.

Renewals

Slides, flat pictures, or CD-ROMS are not renewable for students.

Music Books & Scores

Most books and scores may be checked out, excluding some collected or special editions. Reference books and periodicals may be used only in the library.

Faculty, Staff, Graduate Assistants

• Books and scores: Semester
• Reserve: 2 hours

Responsibilities

Parts and other accompanying material: Library materials must be returned complete with all parts, discs, booklets, and other accompanying material. You will be charged full replacement charges for items returned without all accompanying material.

Eligibility

You are eligible to borrow library materials under this policy if you:

• Have a current Bronco Card or Continuing Education card.
• Participate in a special admission program (e.g. CELCIS) and have either a current Bronco Card or proof of registration.
• Have a validated student ID card from an institution with which WMU has a reciprocal agreement.

Recalled items

All library materials are subject to recall. If the library recalls an item you have borrowed (via e-mail notification), you must return it by the due date indicated on the recall notice, or pay a $1.00 fine for each day that the item(s) is overdue. Your account will be blocked until the item is returned.

Returning materials

Books and scores may be returned to Waldo or any of the branch libraries. Recordings and videos checked out of the Music and Dance Library should be returned directly to that library.

Renewals

You may renew items online or physically bring the items to any library circulation desk. For online renewals, please be careful to review your results to make certain renewals were completed successfully. You are responsible for the accuracy of online self-renewals. The University Libraries will support the due dates displayed online.

Music CDs, Videotapes, and LPs

Faculty, Staff, Graduate Assistants

• Music CDs, LPs: 4 weeks
• Music Videos, DVDs: 2 weeks
• Music education recordings: 2 weeks
• Reserve: 2 hours

Responsibilities

Parts and other accompanying material: Library materials must be returned complete with all parts, discs, booklets, and other accompanying material. You will be charged full replacement charges for items returned without all accompanying material.

Eligibility

You are eligible to borrow library materials under this policy if you:

• Have a current Bronco Card or Continuing Education card.
• Participate in a special admission program (e.g. CELCIS) and have either a current Bronco Card or proof of registration.
• Have a validated student ID card from an institution with which WMU has a reciprocal agreement.

Recalled items

All library materials are subject to recall. If the library recalls an item you have borrowed (via e-mail notification), you must return it by the due date indicated on the recall notice, or pay a $1.00 fine for each day that the item(s) is overdue. Your account will be blocked until the item is returned.

Returning materials

Books and scores may be returned to Waldo or any of the branch libraries. Recordings and videos checked out of the Music and Dance Library should be returned directly to that library.

Renewals

You may renew items online or physically bring the items to any library circulation desk. For online renewals, please be careful to review your results to make certain renewals were completed successfully. You are responsible for the accuracy of online self-renewals. The University Libraries will support the due dates displayed online.

Interlibrary Loan

Who's eligible?

Currently enrolled WMU students, faculty and staff with a valid Bronco Card can request items through interlibrary loan.

What can you order?

Items that can be requested:

• Books – (lenders may limit to 4-6 volumes per request for multi-volume works)
• Photocopies of articles and book chapters
• Dissertations/Theses (check Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) for online availability)
• Microforms
• Videos, CD’s and DVD’s
• Conference Proceedings
• Patents
• Materials owned by the University Libraries that are currently unavailable

Items that may be difficult to borrow:

• Books published before 1900
• Recent publications
• Entire periodical volumes
• Reference materials like encyclopedias.
• Genealogy
• Textbooks
• Videos, CD’s and DVD’s

When will I receive the material?

• Electronic photocopies of articles/book chapters usually take 3-5 days
• Loan requests of physical materials usually take 10-12 days
• Rush services may be available

How much does it cost?

Most interlibrary loan requests are free however costs exceeding $10.00 per request are paid by the patron.  We will always seek your approval before proceeding with requests that would cost you money.

How to request items through interlibrary loan

Requests are placed through the interlibrary loan system by creating an account with your Bronco Net ID and password. You will be able to establish your preferences for delivery and notification during the registration process. Preferences can be changed at any time. Sign in to your interlibrary loan account

When the Material Arrives

Whenever possible, photocopies of articles and book chapters will be sent to you electronically to be viewed over the web through your interlibrary loan account unless you request they be mailed or picked up.

You will be notified by email or phone (according to your preferred method) when a loan is available for use.

Books can be picked up at the Resource Sharing Center, second floor of Waldo Library  between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday or, if that office is closed, at the Patron Services Window, first floor, Waldo Library.

Renewals may be requested online through your interlibrary loan account or by contacting the Resource Sharing Center.

Returning Materials

Please return materials to the Resource Sharing Center, room #2014 on the second floor of Waldo Library, during regular office hours or, if that office is closed, the Patron Services Window, first floor of Waldo Library.  If you are not able to get to the library, materials may be returned in the drop boxes of the College of Engineering and College of Health and Human Services.

Overdue fines are $1.00 per day. 

Any requests ordered but not picked up may be assessed a $10 fine due to the expense of obtaining interlibrary loan material.

Fines & Fees

Books

Faculty, staff, and graduate assistants will not be billed ordinary overdue fines except for overdue recalled items at $1.00 per day, to a maximum of $15.00, for each item.

Videotapes and DVDs

Overdue Videotapes, DVDs and other associated items will be assessed a fine of:

• $10.00 per day, to a maximum of $100.00, for each item overdue

Music CDs & Scores

• $0.25 per day, to a maximum of $10.00, for each item overdue
• $1.00 per day, to a maximum of $15.00, for each recalled item

Borrowing privileges are suspended for faculty, staff, graduate assistants whose accounts total $100 or more in fines and fees and for any patron with an overdue recalled item.

Interlibrary loan items

• Overdue fines are $1.00 per day, per item. No grace period
• $10.00 fee will be assessed for each interlibrary loan item ordered but not used.

Replacement Charges and Billing Fees

Books

If any item is more than 45 days overdue, it will be considered lost and you will be billed for replacement charges of $75.00 per item, or actual replacement cost, whichever is greater. The library will also assess a non-refundable $15.00 per item processing and billing fee.

If you return items within six (6) months of the billing date, the library will refund or credit the replacement charges but not the processing fee.

Videotapes & DVDs

For any item 10 days or more overdue, the library considers the item lost. Your account will be billed for a minimum of $75 or the actual replacement cost of the item if higher.

Replacement costs for Instructional videotapes/films/DVDs may be in excess of $1200. These charges may also apply to any damaged items . The library will assess a non-refundable $15 technical processing and billing fee for each item.

If you return the material within six months of the billing date, you will be refunded the replacement charges, but not the billing fee.

Music CDs & Scores

If an item is more than 45 days overdue, the library will consider it lost and bill you for replacement charges of $75.00, or actual cost if greater, for each book or score; $35 item, or actual cost if greater, for each recording or video.

The library will also assess a non-refundable processing fee of $15.00 per item. (If you return an item within six months of the billing date, the library will refund or credit the replacement charges, but not the processing fee.)

Suspension of Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing privileges are suspended for faculty, staff, graduate assistants whose accounts total $100 or more in fines and fees and for any patron with an overdue recalled item.

Making payments

• All library fines and fees, including interlibrary loan fees, incurred from any WMU campus library may be paid on the 2nd Floor of Waldo Library at the Copy Center window (library map).
• The Copy Center accepts payment in cash or check. Please make checks payable to Western Michigan University. Sorry, no credit cards.
• Payments can also be mailed to: Copy Center, Waldo Library – 5353 1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5353
• Copy Center hours are as follows:
  • Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
  • Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: 12:00 Noon – 12:00 a.m.
• If you have any questions regarding methods of payment, please call (269) 387-5325.