Circulation
Borrowing Policies
- Current STU students, faculty, and staff, as well as alumni and SEFLIN cardholders may borrow materials at the University Library.
- A valid STU ID card is required to borrow library materials. Members from other institutions must present a valid SEFLIN card (issued by a participating library) and a photo id.
- There is no limit on the number of items that STU members may check out.
- There is no limit to the number of times an item may be renewed, unless it has been recalled by another user.
- Library users are responsible for returning or renewing items before the due date to avoid incurring library fees.
- Library users may not borrow items for another patron or lend their ID card to another borrower.
- If a recall is placed on an item that you have borrowed, you will receive an email requesting the return of the item.
Loan Periods
Loan Periods for Physical Library Materials
| Category of Patrons | Books | DVD/Popular Movies/Games |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Students | 30 days | 7 days |
| Graduate/Law Students | 60 days | |
| Ed.D./Ph.D Students | 90 days | |
| Faculty & Administration | 120 days | |
| Staff | 45 days | |
| Alumni/Special Borrowers | 21 days |
* Note: TVs and headphones are provided for viewing.
eBook Loans & Access
| eBooks | |
|---|---|
| Loan Period | Typically 1 to 7 days; dependent on license |
| Access | Depends on publisher |
| Returns | Loan automatically expires at end of period, but return the book when finished to make it available to other users. Some books cannot be returned before the due date |
| Holds | You may place a Hold on a book on Loan to other users. When the book becomes available, you are notified via the email address you provided when placing the Hold, and it is added to the Checkouts area of your folder for downloading |
| Renewal | Not available. Create a new Loan if book not placed on Hold by another user |
| Print or Save as PDF | Up to 20% of book or 60 pages per user, depending on publisher |
Course Reserves
Book, articles, videos, and other material may be placed on reserve by faculty members for courses offered at the University. Professors must fill out a Reserve Request Form (available at the Circulation Desk) to place items on reserve.
Reserves are available at the Circulation Desk. All materials on reserve are accessible for a period of 2 hours and are available for in-library use only. Reserves that are not returned within the 2-hour loan period will accrue fines at the rate of $0.25 per hour overdue.
Returns
Books and other materials should be returned to the Circulation Desk, located at the library entrance. If you wish to return materials by mail, the address is:
St. Thomas University Library
Attn: Access Services Department/Circulation Desk
16401 NW 37th Avenue
Miami Gardens, Florida 33054
Renewals
You may renew library materials in person at the Circulation Desk, by telephone (305) 628-6667, or by email circ@stu.edu
Overdue Fines
All library users are held responsible for payment of library fines. Non-receipt of overdue notices does not exempt the borrower from overdue fines. Library patrons must pay overdue fines even if the item(s) are returned.
Overdue fine for students, alumni, and special borrowers:
Books accrue a fine of $.25 a day per item to a maximum of $5.00 per book. DVDs/Popular Movies accrue a fine of $1.00 a day per item to a maximum of $7.00 per movie.
Lost Books and Other Items
If books or other library materials are not returned, the item(s) will be billed to the borrower as lost. Lost items are billed for the cost of the book or film, and an additional processing fee of $15.00.The average replacement cost for an academic book can be up to $100.00. An excessive library fine amount can affect patron borrowing privileges and withhold student’s transcripts.
Paying Overdue and Lost Item Notifications
If you have received an e-mail notification for an overdue fine, lost book or any other library item, you may pay by cash (only) at the Circulation Desk. You may also send a money order (please, do not send cash) to the following address:
St. Thomas University Library
Attn: Access Services Department/ Circulation Desk
16401 NW 37th Avenue
Miami Gardens, Florida 33054
Recalls/Hold Request
A recall may be placed on materials that are currently checked out. A recall request automatically shortens the current borrower’s loan period to two weeks (from the date of the request). Library patrons may place a recall/hold request at the Circulation Desk. Any book that is checked out by any user can be recalled.
