Services for ...
Area Resident Borrowers
eligibility: Adult residents of the state of Massachusetts who live in Hampshire County or one of the immediately adjacent counties are eligible to check out books from the Amherst College Library. To receive a card, borrowers must present a Massachusetts picture ID - either a driver's license or a Mass ID. The same picture ID must be presented each time the library card is used to check out books. Patrons must have a card in hand to charge out books and are responsible for all items charged out with their card. Cards expire on January 1st of the coming year. Of course the cards can be renewed annually.
materials available for check out: Books from the circulating collection at Frost Library and Keefe Science Library. For music materials, please contact the Music Librarian (Jane Beebe, jabeebe@amherst.edu) or the Music Library Assistant (Ann Maggs, armaggs@amherst.edu). Books housed at the Amherst College Depository will be delivered to the Circulation Desk in the Robert Frost Library for patrons to charge out. Items in the Course Reserve Collection can also be borrowed briefly, provided the needs of the class have been met. There is a limit of 25 loans at any one time for resident borrowers.
materials available for use in library: Periodicals, art books which includes all materials with an N, xN, xxN or 700 classification (excepting the 780's), videos, scores and recordings, items from Archives and Special Collections.
loan periods: The regular loan period is 28 days with up to three renewals. Reserve materials can be charged for three hours. Items that have been recalled for other patrons have shortened due dates and cannot be renewed. Patrons are encouraged to return library materials before embarking on vacations longer than seven days to avoid the hassle and inconvenience that will result from being unable to return recalled books in good time.
fines: Overdue recalled items, $2.00 per day. Overdue reserve items are $5.00 the first hour, and $1.00 for each additional hour up to a maximum of $30.00.
replacement charges: Borrowers will be sent a notice for items not returned within 28 days of the due date. The overdue notice will state the title, call number and date due of the overdue material. If the library is believed to be in error, patrons are asked to contact Judy Lively (jflively@amherst.edu) at the Frost Library Circulation Desk. Items that are not returned are liable to be billed. The replacement charge for a regular circulating item is $70.00 and includes a $10 non-refundable billing fee. The replacement charge for a reserve item is $75.00 and includes a $15.00 non-refundable billing fee.
notification: Notifications of recalls, fines, and or bills will be by e-mail if an e-mail address is available. Otherwise, notification will be by mail. It is the responsibility of any resident borrower to ensure that the library information concerning addresses and phone numbers is current.
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