Circulation Services
Circulation Desk Services
Hours of operation:
Spring and Fall Semesters
Monday - Thursday 8:00am -12:00mid
Friday - Saturday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday - 10:00am - 12:00mid
Summer Semesters
Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Friday - Saturday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday - 10:00am - 11:00pm
Full-time staff members are available at the
Circulation desk during all hours the library is open, and may be
reached by phone at (617) 353-3732 or by email: mugcirc@bu.edu.
The Fines Coordinator is available Monday through
Friday, 8:00am to 3:00pm, at (617) 353-3736.
For a recorded message of Mugar Memorial Library's general
hours, including changes in the hours of operations (i.e.,
during holidays, vacations, Intersession and 24 hour study periods),
please call (617) 353-3708. This information is also maintained
on this website.
This information page describes basic circulation policies. Should
you have any further questions, please feel free to speak to anyone
at the Circulation desk.
Charging Out Materials
Materials may be charged out of the library with one of the following valid ID's:
- Boston University ID - Student, Faculty, Staff, or Alumni
- Boston Library Consortium ID
- Boston Theological Institute ID
- Boston University Borrower's Card
Most library materials may be checked out or renewed for the following loan periods:
- 4 weeks from the charge-out date:
Students, Alumni, Consortium, Institute and Boston University Borrower's Card holders
- 19 weeks from the charge-out date:
Faculty, Staff, and Graduate students with TA/TF status
Exceptions to these loan periods are:
- Reserve materials:
Which vary in length of loan period from 2 hours (in-library use only) to 3 day loans.
- WorldCat materials:
28 days with one renewal, no recalls.
- Reference materials:
May not be taken from the library.
- Journals:
May be charged out for periods of 24 hours only to Boston University Faculty, TA/TFs and Staff members.
Please note that all items are subject to recall 2 weeks after their initial charge-out date.
Boston Library Consortium Cards
http://www.blc.org/members/memberlist.html
Introduction
Boston University is a member of the Boston Library Consortium (BLC). Founded in 1970, the Boston Library Consortium is a cooperative association of academic libraries. It exists to support resource sharing and the enhancement of services for each member library’s patrons. A Consortium Card allows the holder to check out materials at the other Boston Library Consortium libraries.
Consortium Card Program
The Consortium Card program extends borrowing privileges at Consortium members’ libraries to faculty, students and staff from participating academic institutions. Boston University faculty, staff, and graduate students in good standing (owing under $10.00 to Boston University libraries) may obtain a Boston Library Consortium card by filling out an application form at the Mugar Memorial Library Circulation desk. Boston University undergraduate students must demonstrate a research need to be eligible for a Consortium Card, and should consult with a Resource Center Librarian. Boston University Main Campus faculty, staff and students may request Consortium cards online but must pick up their BLC Consortium Cards at the Mugar Memorial Library Circulation Desk. (Please be sure to bring your BU ID when applying for or picking up the Consortium Card.) Your Consortium Card will be available three business days after the application form is submitted to the Mugar Memorial Library Circulation desk. Card holders must revalidate their cards at regular intervals, usually once each semester and re-apply once a year at the beginning of the academic year.
Privileges and Special Qualifications
The Consortium Card is an identification card that permits access to BLC libraries. Although most BLC members are flexible, the Consortium Card does not automatically confer borrowing privileges. Libraries occasionally require a screening interview or block admission during particularly busy study times during the academic year. If you are planning to go to any of the BLC libraries, contact them ahead of time to inquire about their access policies and procedures.
You may return borrowed materials to any Consortium member library, but you will be responsible for any overdue charges at the home institution. Materials borrowed from Consortium libraries can be returned to Mugar Memorial Library. Consortium card holders must observe each library’s circulation regulations, including the payment of charges for overdue and lost materials. Failure to do so will result in the loss of borrowing privileges at all Consortium libraries. (Once charges have reached the point of home library notification by the lending library, a block will be placed on the patron record at the home library. Privileges will remain blocked until notification has been received that the charges have been paid to the lending library.)
WorldCat Book and Journal Holdings
WorldCat is the OCLC Online Union Catalog. It contains more than 43 million records describing items owned by Boston area libraries and libraries around the world. WorldCat contains records for the following types of materials: books*, journals*, musical scores, computer data files, magazines*, newspapers*, computer programs, manuscripts, sound recordings, films and slides, maps, videotapes. (*Does not include individual articles, stories in journals, magazines, newspapers, or book chapters.)
The BLC WorldCat provides a single interface from which users can search for books that are owned by any of the participating BLC libraries. Boston University students, faculty and staff may also use the WorldCat to place requests to borrow books from other BLC institutions.
For more information about the Boston Library Consortium, contact the Mugar Memorial Library Circulation Desk at 617-353-3732 or mugcirc@bu.edu
Renewing Charged-out Materials
You can see what you have charged out and renew such items (within 7 days prior to the due date) yourself after obtaining a PIN (Personal Identification Number) from the Circulation desk. These options are available to you by accessing the Mugar Memorial Library's online Circulation system from one of the public terminals within the library, or after connecting to the library system from a remote computer. Please note that if your items are overdue, if your record is blocked for any reason, or if an item you wish to renew has been recalled, you may not use the self-renewal option.
You may also come to the Circulation desk during the week before the due date and request a renewal, or you may send the request by mail. Your request must be postmarked by the item's original due date.
Items may be renewed twice without bringing them to the library. If you need any material for an additional amount of time, you must bring it back into the library to be checked in before it may be checked out again.
Materials that are overdue or have been recalled by another patron must be returned promptly and may not be renewed. If your patron record is blocked for any reason, you must clear your record before any materials will be renewed.
Because it is very difficult to document phone renewals, Mugar Memorial Library does not renew books by phone.
Returning Materials
During library hours, return material to the Circulation desk. When the Library is not open, materials may be deposited in the outside book drop. Once you have a PIN, you can review your library account to check the due-dates of any material you have charged out, and renew materials yourself before they become overdue. If you have an item that is overdue and you wish to pay the fine at the time of return, you must return the book to the Circulation desk in person. If you wish to receive a receipt for the return of an item, you must return the item to the Circulation desk and specifically request a charge-in receipt be printed before the material is charged in.
If an item remains on your library account more than 24 hours after you returned it, you may come to the Circulation desk to request that a "Claims Return" search be done for the item. During this search period, if the item has reached the overdue stage, you will receive computer-generated overdue notices. These may be disregarded during the search. This special search usually takes 2 - 3 weeks to complete. After the search is finished, you will be sent notification of the results. If the material was found during the search, you need do nothing further. If it was not found during the search, you will need to speak to the Circulation Department Fines Coordinator.
Fines and Fees
Fines are assessed for items not returned by the date due.
Open StacksWorldCat Items
- $.50 per day per item before 27 days overdue
- $2.00 per day per overdue recalled item
- $100.00 replacement charge per item (or cost of the item - whichever is greater)
Reserve Items
- $.50 per day per item before 20 days overdue
- $155.00 replacement charge per item (or cost of the item - whichever is greater)
All Items Reaching Billing
- 2 Hour & 2 hr./Overnight
- $2.00 per hour per item
- $150.00 replacement charge on the 3rd day (or cost of the item - whichever is greater)
- 24 Hour & 3 Day
- $10.00 per day
- $150.00 replacement charge on the 3rd day (or cost of the item - whichever is greater)
- $30.00 billing fee (non-refundable)
Please pay any accrued fines in a timely fashion and keep
all receipts.
These charges are assessed to everyone except Faculty and
Staff who are responsible only for Recall Fines, fines on Virtual Catalog items, Reserve Fines,
Unreturned Item charges and Billing Fees.
If you have any questions about fines, please consult the Fines Attendant at the Circulation desk or by phone at (617) 353-3732. The Fines Attendant is available Monday through Friday until 3pm.
Recalling Items and Searching for Them
Recalling an Item
If the item is charged out to another patron you may recall the item by filling out a Save card, or send a recall request to "mugcirc@bu.edu" with your full name, BU ID number, the title and the call number of the book you wish to recall. When the item is returned, you will be notified by e-mail.
Searches:
If you cannot locate an item on the shelf or the Intermediate Shelving
area (the room on the first floor of the library where materials
are sorted before being returned to the shelves), bring the title
and call number to the Circulation desk; staff there will help to
locate the item. If the item cannot be located at that time, and
the item is not charged out, you may fill out a Search card at the
Circulation desk. Most searches are carried out within 24 hours
of the request being made. If the requested item is not located,
other searches will be made over longer periods of time. You will
be notified of the progress of the search. In the event of an unsuccessful
search, accessing the needed material via Interlibrary Loan, the Virtual Catalog, or through
the use of a Boston Library Consortium card are possible options.
Microforms and Current Periodicals Services
Microforms Room
Hours of operation:
Spring and Fall Semesters
Monday - Thursday 8:30am -11:30pm
Friday - Saturday 8:30am - 10:30pm
Sunday - 10:30am - 11:30pm
Summer Semesters
Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 10:30pm
Friday - Saturday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday - 10:30am - 10:30pm
Full-time Microforms staff members are available at the Microforms desk Monday through Thursday 8:30am to 11:30pm, Friday 8:30am to 10:30pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:30pm, and Sunday 4:00pm to 11:30pm. They may be reached by phone at (617) 353-3717.
For a recorded message of Mugar Memorial Library's general hours, including changes in the hours of operations (i.e., during holidays, vacations, Intersession, and 24 hour study periods), please call (617) 353-3708.
The Microforms room contains a wide variety of information on microfilm. Microfilm and microfiche reader/printers are available for making printed copies as well as for viewing. There is also a single microfilm/fiche scanner, which saves scanned materials in .pdf format. The .pdf file(s) may then be saved to a USB flash drive, burned to a CD (available for purchase at the Microforms desk), or sent as an email attachment. If you wish to have printed copies of microform materials made for you, please ask for assistance at the Microforms desk.
Please note that microcards and microfiche are located in file cabinets in the Current Periodicals room. Some of the items you will find on microfiche are: college catalogues, telephone directories, and selected government documents.
For further information, or assistance in locating items, speak to an attendant at either the Microforms desk or the Current Periodicals desk.
Current Periodicals Room
Hours of operation:
Spring and Fall Semesters
Monday - Thursday 8:00am -12:00mid
Friday - Saturday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday - 10:00am - 12:00mid
Summer Semesters
Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Friday - Saturday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday - 10:00am - 11:00pm
Full-time Current Periodicals staff members are available at the Current Periodicals desk Monday through Thursday 8:00am to 12:00mid, Friday 8:00am to 11:00pm, Saturday 8:00am to 4:00pm, and Sunday 4:00pm to 12:00pm. They may be reached by phone at (617) 353-4805.
For a recorded message of Mugar Memorial Library's general hours, including changes in the hours of operations (i.e., during holidays, vacations, Intersession, and 24 hour study periods), please call (617) 353-3708.
The Current Periodicals Room contains most of the newspapers and unbound issues of the periodicals to which Mugar Memorial Library subscribes. Current issues of periodicals and newspapers are arranged alphabetically by title on the shelves in this room. Older issues of periodicals are bound or microfilmed, and can be found under their assigned call numbers in either the main stacks or in the Microforms department; you can locate the call number of bound periodicals by using the online catalog. If you are unable to locate the material you need, or if you need additional information about a particular title, please speak with the Microforms desk attendant. Current Periodicals material may not be taken from the room, but photocopy machines are available in the room. In addition to these services, the Current Periodicals Room provides a quiet place in the library for reading or study.
Scan & Copy Center
Hours of operation:
Spring and Fall Semesters
Monday - Thursday 9:00am -8:00pm
Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday Closed
Summer Semesters
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday - Sunday Closed
Access to the Scan and Copy Center is available during all hours the library is open. Please note that library service hours may vary from Mugar building hours.
Full-time staff members are available in the Scan and Copy Center Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm and may be contacted at (617) 353-3722.
Self-service scanners are available for use at no charge. You may email a document to yourself or save it to your USB device.
Self-service photocopiers are available at a cost of $.10 each. Department staff will make copies for you at $.12 each; transparencies are available for $.50 each. Material is processed on a first come - first served basis.
All documents are subject to copyright law of the United States (Title 17, US Code).
Scan & Copy Center Will:
- Make copies on 8 1/2" x 11", 8 1/2" x 14", and 11" x 17" paper
- Make transparencies and mailing labels
- Reduce and enlarge copies
- Make change
- Make copies on colored paper
(Colors available: blue, goldenrod, gray, green, ivory, pink, and yellow)
Scan & Copy Center Will Not:
- Scan material for patrons
- Retrieve books from the stacks
- Make color copies
Reserve Services
Hours of operation:
Spring and Fall Semesters
Monday - Thursday 8:00am -12:00mid
Friday - Saturday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday - 10:00am - 12:00mid
Summer Semesters
Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Friday - Saturday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday - 10:00am - 11:00pm
The Reserve Desk is located on the first floor of Mugar Memorial Library. Access to reserve material is available during all hours the library is open. Please note that library service hours may vary from Mugar building hours.
For a recorded message of Mugar Memorial Library's general hours, please call (617) 353-3708. The Reserve Desk may be contacted at (617) 353-3739 or mugarres@bu.edu.
Full-time Reserve staff members are available Monday through Saturday, 8:00am to 4:00pm. The Circulation Department provides coverage at all other times. Please note, only full-time Reserve staff are able to process requests and remove materials from course listings.
The Purpose of Reserve
The Reserve Desk maintains a collection of restricted-use materials for the Boston University community. Most items are required course readings; however we also provide a secure location for heavily-used or fragile items, CD-ROMs, and films. Restricted loan periods provide availability to a greater number of students. The majority of Reserve items are classified as 2-hour in-library-use loans, although 24-hour and 3-day designations may be assigned upon faculty request. The Reserve Desk also offers Electronic Reserves which allow students remote access to materials. Articles or book chapters may be converted to PDFs which are made available through the library’s online catalog via the same course listings as traditional reserve materials. All documents are subject to copyright law of the United States (Title 17, US Code).
Other Boston University libraries provide their own reserve services. Please check here for contact information.
Placing Material on Reserve
Faculty may request that any of the following materials be placed on Reserve as course readings:
- Library-owned books
- Books to be purchased for the library collection
- may take a minimum of six to eight weeks to order and are not guaranteed to arrive during the semester needed
- excludes textbooks
- Instructor's personal copies of books or articles
- Electronic documents such as journal articles, book chapters, lecture notes
Appropriate request forms should be completed and submitted to the Reserve Desk in person, online, by post or fax. Verbal and email requests will not be accepted.
Forms are available online and at the Reserve Desk.
Please Note:
Syllabi will not be accepted in lieu of standard Reserve forms.
Reserve requests turned in after the beginning of a semester may take longer to be processed.
Accessing Reserve Material
Materials on the Mugar Reserve shelves are catalogued by Library of Congress call numbers, not by professor’s name or course number. To access material, you will need to provide staff with a call number. Photo identification is required.
To consult the Reserve component of the online catalog, choose “Reserves” from the main search menu to view course listings. When prompted, provide either the instructor's name or the course number. This will display the complete list of titles and call numbers of materials attached to a particular course. If you cannot locate the course number, professor or item for which you are searching, or if you need assistance with the online system, please ask a staff member for help.
Fines and Fees
Fines are assessed for items not returned by the date/time due.
- 2-Hour Loans
- $2.00 per hour per item
- $150.00 replacement charge on the 3rd day
(or cost of the item - whichever is greater) - 24-Hour & 3-Day Loans
- $10.00 per day
- $150.00 replacement charge on the 3rd day
(or cost of the item - whichever is greater) - All Items Reaching Billing
- $30.00 billing fee (non-refundable)