American University of Paris Library | How to Borrow Books

How to Borrow Books

Bring Library ID to the Service Desk During Regular Library Hours
In order to borrow books, patrons must present a current, valid identification card issued by AUP (or an affiliated program).

Reminder: Access and Borrowing Privileges are for Personal Use Only

• Your card is personal and should not be lent to others.
• The identification card issued to AUP students, faculty, and staff acts as both an ID card and a building access card.
• Patrons from affiliated programs must also carry a special access card (issued by your program office) in addition to their institution's ID card.
• The University Library is not open to the general public. Misuse of library privileges can lead to disciplinary action.

Validated Cards May Be Used for General Loans and for Reserves

• Present your card at the Service Desk along with your selection.
• There is no limit to the number of general collection books that can be checked out by AUP undergraduate students.
• For special limits on reserve collection materials, please refer to Reserves.

Using the University Library Online Catalog
Locate books and other materials by searching the library's catalog. Help screens are provided online.

Using the 'Self Check'
During the day or evening, library users can check books out to themselves without assistance (as long as they have no overdue books, blocks, etc.). There is a self check machine near the Service Desk with instructions on the wall. Users will need their card and the items they wish to check out. Videos may not be checked out on the machine (DVDs may be checked out if they are circulating.) We have detailed instructions here in pdf format and in a PowerPoint slideshow.

CIRCULATION POLICIES AT THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Loan Periods
General collection books circulate for 21 days.

Renewals
Renewals may be done online:
Go to 'My Record'
Sign on and look at 'Items on Loan'
Tag the item(s) you want to renew
Click on the 'Renew Items' button
Check that each item was renewed (scroll down) and not rejected
When you may NOT self-renew:
You have overdue items
Your card has not been activated
You have fines of over 3 Euros
Another patron has requested the item
You have already renewed the item twice

• Books may be renewed as needed within a single semester (if book has not been recalled by another library user).
• Overdue books cannot be renewed.
• Books cannot be renewed by telephone, but should be brought to the Service Desk for renewal.
• For renewals by email, send the request to userservices@aup.fr. Include name, patron barcode, barcodes of items to be renewed. An e-mail confirmation will be sent if the item was renewed or an e-mail response explaining why items cannot be renewed. It is much faster and easier to renew yourself, online - see the above instructions!

Recalls
If a book needed by a borrower is checked out by another user, a "recall" may be placed on the item by clicking on the request button in the online catalog when you are looking at that particular book record. When the book is returned, the borrower is notified that it may be claimed at the Service Desk.

Returning Books

• Due-dates are not stamped in books; borrowers are responsible for verifying their patron records online. In the online catalog, go to any of the search screens and simply click on the "patron" button or the "login" button , enter the 10 digit barcode number from your identification card and your last name.
• Books may be placed in the book drop at street level to the right of the library entrance, or returned to the Service Desk directly.
• Books should be returned by the date due in order to avoid overdue fines.
• Overdue books block further loans.

Fines

• Overdue books are fined at the rate of 0.20 Euros per book per day.
• Recalled items: if the book has been recalled for another library user, and is not returned promptly, the fine increases to 1 Euro per day.
• Reserve items are fined at a rate of 1 Euro per hour or fraction thereof.
• Unpaid fines of 3 Euros and higher block further loans.

Lost Books

• Lost or damaged books should be reported immediately to the Service Desk in order to suspend overdue fines.
• Borrowers will be charged a flat fee of 40 Euros at the end of the semester for each lost or unreturned book. The flat fee includes a billing/processing fee of 16 Euros. This billing/processing fee is not reimbursed when a billed book is returned.
• Students who have been billed for lost or unreturned materials may return those items before the end of the following semester and receive a partial reimbursement (Corresponding to the amount billed minus 16 euros). NO reimbursements will be made after that deadline.
• Grades and transcripts are blocked until lost book fees are paid in full.

Non-circulating Books

• Certain materials may not circulate, and must be consulted within the library.
• These include books from the Reference Collection, books stamped "non-circulating," some reserve materials, and all print periodicals.

Book Security

• All library materials must be properly checked out at the Service Desk before leaving the library.
• Attempts to damage or remove library materials without permission are considered violations of the University's Standards of Conduct (see student handbook) and will lead to disciplinary sanctions.