Visitor Library Card - Terms of Use

Responsibilities

You are responsible for all items checked out on your Visitor Library Card. If you lose your card, please report the loss to the Checkout Desk immediately to assist us in prohibiting further use of your card.

For Visitor Library Card holders under 18, the Parent/Guardian named on the application assumes responsibility for any library materials borrowed or bills incurred. Youth under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while in the library.

It is your responsibility to notify the Checkout Desk of any address changes. Failure to report an address change, which results in returned mail, may result in the suspension of your borrowing privileges. A change in address does not remove responsibility for overdue materials, which may result in fines, fees, or bills.

For any problems or questions, please call 815-753-9844 or come to the Checkout Desk.

Maximum Loans

Visiting Library Card holders may loan a maximum of ten (10) items simultaneously except for minors, who are limited to five (5) items.

Due Dates

You can look up due dates online at My Library Account. It is your responsibility to monitor and keep track of the due dates of all of your loaned materials.

Failure to return items will result in a lost book charge of $100.00 each for the replacement cost of the item. Late fees may also be billed on Reserve items per library policy. If you are billed for an item, your library borrowing privileges may be suspended until the problem is resolved.

Items billed as overdue must be returned to the library and cannot be renewed.

Renewals

To renew your items online, go to My Library Account and follow the instructions.

A recall notice indicates that the item has been requested for library use. The item's loan period is then shortened and requires you to return the item immediately. You cannot renew the item. Failure to return a recalled item may result in a fine, a lost book charge, and/or suspension of your borrowing privileges.

Loan Periods

Most books	four (4) weeks
Juvenile books	two (2) weeks
Non-book items	varies - from building use only to two (2) weeks (e.g., cassettes, discs, maps, government publications)
Reserve items	varies - two (2) hours, one (1) day, three (3) days, one (1) week
Reference items	building use only
Rare Books & Special Collections	Rare Book Reading Room use only (Room 403)

Please consult our Circulation Policy and Circulation Loan Periods for additional information. You are responsible for adhering to all applicable policies.

Article Databases

Unless members of the NIU Alumni Association, Visitor Library Card holders are not eligible for remote access to NIU databases. Article databases can be accessed from Founders Memorial Library on the DeKalb campus.

Interlibrary Loan

Visitor Library Card holders are not eligible for Interlibrary Loan, unless they are members of the NIU Friends of the Libraries. Please consult your local public library to request materials through the statewide library system.

Expiration

Visitor Library Cards are primarily issued for a period of one (1) year. A new application is required every year. To avoid interruption of your borrowing privileges, please reapply for your new Visitor Library Card at least two (2) weeks before the expiration date listed on your Visitor Library Card.