Borrowing

You can check out items at the circulation desk at any WSU library. Staff at these desks check in and reshelve books, search for missing items, keep track of course reserves, overdue fines, and check on the security system. 

Contact Us

We are happy to answer questions about items on your account, overdue fines, how to return items, or information about course reserves, interlibrary loan, or Summit borrowing. 

• Holland & Terrell Libraries: 509-335-9672
• Owen Science and Engineering Library: 509-335-2672
• WSU Health Sciences Library Spokane: 509-358-7930
• WSU Tri-Cities Max E. Benitz Memorial Library: 509-372-7303
• WSU Vancouver Library: 360-546-9680

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Checking items out

Bring your items to the circulation desk, and show your valid WSU ID, also known as your Cougar Card.

Faculty members can have student assistants check out items for them using proxy cards.  

Current members of the WSU community can designate another person to check out library items using their WSU ID (Cougar Card) by following the Library Designee instructions.  

We can give Community Borrower privileges to any guest who shows ID and applies for a library card at the circulation desk or by emailing the Access Services manager.  

How long you can keep items

For undergraduate students, visiting scholars, and community members, most books are loaned for 6 weeks. 

For graduate students, staff, and faculty, most books are loaned for one semester.  

Summit items have a 12 week loan period with a 6 week renewal option.

Bound journals and most media (CDs, DVDs, etc) can be checked out for 6 days by Pullman affiliates.

Loan periods for juvenile books and microfilm are determined by each library. Since loan periods vary, check the due date at the time you check it out. 

Students on official leave or working on incompletes and emeriti faculty may contact the Access Services Manager, Brian McManus at bmcmanus@wsu.edu to request access.

Overdue notices

Items not returned by their due date are marked as overdue. We send an email as a reminder to return your item. You are responsible for returning borrowed items on time whether or not you receive a notice. 

Fines

Current WSU Libraries fines schedule

We charge fines for overdue items. We publish the rate of fines in our WSU Library Policies, Rules and Regulations (WAC 504-40) which is available at all Access Services and Reference Desks.

Fines accrue during all hours the library is open, including holidays.

Bills for outstanding fines are mailed directly to the borrower, and a record will show in your myWSU account.

How do I pay my library fine?

You can pay online through myWSU. First, login to MyWSU, then click on the Financial Account icon.

You can fill out Library Fines Questions form if you have questions about a particular fine and we will investigate the issue and get back to you, or to the Access Services desk at the loaning library. 

Renewals

If you need your item beyond the original loan period, it must be renewed or fines will accrue. You can renew most items online through your Library Search It account. You can also request we renew items for you at a WSU Libraries Access Services desk, or by telephone. You can renew items borrowed from other Summit libraries one time.

You can also request renewals of Interlibrary Loan items by emailing libraries.ill@wsu.edu.

Requesting Items

Only WSU affiliates may request items through Search It. You can log in to see request options and place a request. Affiliates can request that items be delivered to the Circulation Desk of your choice, or may choose other delivery options.

Can’t find what you’re looking for on the shelf? If an item is not checked out and you can’t find it on the shelf, please request the item in Search It. If the item is found, you will be notified. Items may also be available for request through Summit or Interlibrary Loan.

Reserves

Heavily used items and those requested by instructors for assigned class reading are kept on reserve. In the Holland/Terrell Libraries, the Reserves are located at the main Access Services desk on the first floor. Items on reserve in the Owen Science & Engineering Library are kept at their Access Services desk. Items are available upon request: bring the call number and your valid WSU ID. The Animal Health Library’s reserve collections can be used directly without asking. Because of the demand for these items, loan periods for reserves are shorter and fine rates are higher.

Community borrowers

Community users may borrow local materials, and materials at other WSU campuses may be requested through Access Services. Community users are not eligible for Summit borrowing or Interlibrary Loan services. Please contact Access Services staff for assistance.

Washington state residents who are not affiliated with Washington State University may use Libraries resources and services and borrow library materials (per the Washington Administrative Code (504-40-020)). Residents who are 16 years old or older may apply for an community borrower card at any WSU Libraries Access Services desk with a valid ID. Acceptable forms of ID that can be used for signing up for a borrower card include identification from a federal agency, state agency, or another academic institution. Community users may request WSU Libraries items to be held at an Access Services desk by filling out a Search Request Card and turning it in at the desk.

Security

Any library material which has not been desensitized will cause the exit alarm to sound. When the alarm sounds, all books and packages will be checked to make certain that library materials have been properly checked out. If non-circulating materials, e.g., reference items, or current journals are found, a written report of the incident will be filed. If a determination is made that an attempted theft has taken place, the Student Affairs Office and WSU Police will be contacted.