ACCESS SERVICES

Each library in the WSU Libraries system has its own Circulation Desk where library materials may be checked out. Circulation staff check in and reshelve books as returned, recall books that have been requested by others, search for missing items, maintain the Reserve Collection, oversee fines and monitor the security system.

CHECK OUT: To check out an item, present it with your valid WSU identification card at the Circulation Desk. After the book has been checked out, it will be desensitized to permit it to pass through the security gates. Faculty members who intend to have teaching or research assistants check out material for them should inquire about proxy cards at the Circulation Desk. Applications for guest library user privileges are available at each library's Circulation Desk.

For most materials, the library circulation system operates by computer. You may determine where items are kept and whether or not they are currently checked out by using public access computers located in all WSU Libraries. Instructions for use of the online catalog are avilable at each library. Some items, such as journals, are checked out manually. If you do not find an item on the shelf or listed in the computer system, ask at the Circulation Desk.

LOAN PERIODS: The regular loan period for most books is 30 days for undergraduate students and staff, and one semester for graduate students and faculty. Books requested from Summit have a 42 day circulation period. All materials checked out, excluding Summit items, are subject to recall after two weeks if needed by another borrower. Bound Journals are loaned to Pullman affiliates for three days. Circulation periods for other materials, such as juvenile books and microfilm, are determined by the individual library. Since circulation periods vary, always be sure to notice when an item is due at the time you check it out.

RENEWALS: If material is needed beyond the original loan period it must be renewed. Material may be renewed at a WSU Libraries Circulation Desk, by telephone or in person. Additionally, you may renew materials online through the Griffin catalog, using the View Your Records/Renewals button. Note that recalls placed on items could prohibit renewals (See RECALLS below. ) Summit items are NOT renewable.

REQUEST ITEM: Using the "Request Item" button in the Griffin catalog and the "Request This Item" link in the statewide Summit catalog, you can request that items be delivered to the WSU Libraries Circulation Desk of your choice. In the Griffin catalog, click on the Request Item button when viewing a record. You must enter your name your WSU Network ID and password to use online requesting. When submitting the request, you will be prompted to select an item pickup location.

You can search the Summit catalog by clicking on the "Search Summit" link on the introductory Griffin screen or by clicking on the "Search Summit" button available on any search results screen in Griffin. Both the Institutional Holdings Display and the Detailed Holdings Display screens in Summit provide "Request This Item" links. As with Griffin Request Item, you must enter your WSU Network ID and password and select a WSU Libraries pickup location.

RECALLS: If you need a book which is already checked out to another borrower, you may "recall" it. You may recall a book via Griffin. When you are in Griffin at the record for the item you want, click on the Request Item button and complete the form. This recalls the book - sets in motion a request to the person who has the item to return it to the library so someone else (you in this case) can use it. You may also ask circulation staff to "recall" the item for you.

A recall may be requested any time; however, each person is permitted to keep borrowed books a minimum of 2 weeks. Once a recall is initiated on a book, the borrower is notified that another person is waiting and given five days to return the material to the library. When the material is returned, the person requesting it is notified that the material is waiting at the Circulation Desk. Books that have been recalled are subject to higher than normal fees if not returned by the new due date.

SNAGS: If an item is not checked out and you cannot find it on the shelf, please report it to the Circulation Desk. A "snag" reported to the Circulation Desk initiates a systematic search for the missing item by members of the library staff. If the item is found, you will be notified. If the item is not found at the end of the search, a decision regarding replacement is made. Since the library is too large to inventory on a regular basis, the "snag" is an important method for helping to determine which materials are missing.

RESERVE: Heavily used items and those requested by instructors for assigned class reading are kept on Reserve. In the Holland and Terrell Libraries, the Reserve Desk is located in Media Materials & Reserves on the Ground Floor. Items on reserve in Brain Education and Owen Science & Engineering Libraries are kept at Circulation. Items are available upon request as long as the call number from the Griffin Online Catalog and a valid WSU ID are supplied. Architecture, Fischer Agricultural Sciences and Health Sciences Libraries have "open" reserve collections which patrons can use directly without asking. Because of the demand for these items, loan periods are shortened, fine rates are higher, and materials cannot be "recalled."

OVERDUE NOTICES: Library materials become overdue if not returned by the due date. An overdue notice is usually sent as a courtesy reminder. You are responsible for returning borrowed items on time whether or not an overdue notice is received.

FINES: The fine system is used by the library to encourage maximum accessibility to materials. Different kinds of materials have different check out periods and different fine schedules. These loan periods and fine schedules are published in the WSU Library Policies, Rules and Regulations (WAC 504-40) which is avilable at all Circulation and Reference Desks. Fines accrue during all hours the library is open, including holidays. Fine invoices are mailed directly to the borrower. Payments may be made in person or by mail to the Office of the Controller, WSU, Pullman, WA 99164-1039. Questions or problems about a particular fine may be directed to the Circulation Desk from which the item was borrowed.

GRIFFIN PIN: Community users must have a Griffin PIN, or Personal Identification Number, to submit requests via the Griffin and Summit catalogs and to view your patron record in Griffin. See this help document for more detailed information on Griffin PINs.

OTHER BORROWERS: Emeriti/Retirees: Emeritus/retired faculty and retired staff are accorded full library privileges upon request. Contact either Sue Shipman sshipman@wsu.edu or Alex Merrill merrilla@wsu.edu.

GUEST USERS: Consistent with the Washington Administrative Code (504-40-020), Washington state residents who are not affiliated with Washington State University may use Libraries resources and services, and borrow library materials. Individuals 16 years of age or older may apply for an off-campus borrower card at any WSU Libraries Circulation Desk. 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.

Guest users may request WSU Libraries items to be delivered to a WSU Libraries Circulation Desk by filling out a Search Request Card and submitting it to a Circulation Desk. Guest users may not recall items currently checked out.

SECURITY SYSTEM: To ensure that library materials are properly checked out when they leave the library, an electronic security system has been installed. When a book or journal is checked out, the Circulation attendant desensitizes it, allowing it to pass through the security gate. Material which has not been desensitized will cause the alarm to sound and the security gate to lock. Occasionally a non-library item will trigger the security system. Whatever the cause, when the alarm sounds, all books and packages will be examined 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 with the Student Affairs Office and WSU Police Services.

CONTACTING CIRCULATION: You can telephone the Access Services desk at the appropriate library:

Animal Health Library, (509) 335-9556.
Holland and Terrell Libraries, (509) 335-9672;
Owen Science and Engineering Library, (509) 335-2672;
WSU-Spokane Riverpoint Campus Library, (509) 358-7930;
WSU-TriCities Consolidated Libraries, (509) 372-7303;
WSU-Vancouver Library, (360) 546-9680

WSU Libraries, PO Box 645610, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-5610, 509-335-9671, Contact Us