Students

UMass Amherst students may borrow, renew, and return materials at all library locations or other libraries using their UCard. You can also have materials mailed to your home address via Library Express.

UMass Amherst undergraduates, Five College students, and UMass Amherst Continuing and Professional Education (CP&E) students may borrow books for 90 days, with three renewals. While UMass Masters/Doctoral students may borrow books for 180 days for UMass books or 90 days for books from the other 5 College Libraries.

Use the main search box on the home page to find items, including items from other libraries.

You can also designate a proxy if you are a graduate student.

Things you can borrow: 

• Technology: laptops, audio-visual production equipment (video camera, tripod, audio recorder or accessories)
  
• Microforms
  
• Course Reserve materials (print, electronic, & media)
  
• Public lockers for short-term use

All borrowed books and media items are subject to Recall with 7 days notice. If you have an item being requested by another user, you will receive a Recall Notice. You are guaranteed a minimum of at least 14 days with any book you check out.

*Some Reserve items are in-library-use only. You must return and renew Reserve items at the Learning Commons desk on the Lower Level of Du Bois Library
**UMass Amherst Students ONLY

How do I view my loans, renew books, and place requests?

• Just below Discovery Search (the big white search box) on the Libraries’ homepage, click “Advanced Search.”
• You will be taken to the advanced search page where a gray bar appears across the top. If you are on campus, in the top right there is “Sign In” link for you to login and view your loans, renew books, etc.
• If you are off campus, there will be a yellow ribbon at the top of your screen prompting you to login with your NetID & Password.
• From there, you can view your loans, renew books, etc. individually.
• If you have many items that you need to renew at once, please email our Circulation Services with the group of items you would like renewed.
• This video shows you how to view loans, and this video shows you how to place requests.

• The Libraries have a limited number of laptops available for student borrowing.
• Only current, active UMass Amherst Undergraduate and Graduate students can borrow laptops.
• A student’s physical UCard must be presented to borrow a laptop.
• Laptops are available on a first come, first served basis at the Learning Commons Desk on the lower level of the W. E. B. Du Bois Library. Due to high demand, they are not reservable in advance.  Check at the Learning Commons desk for availability.
• Laptops are 3-day loans, no renewals, with $10/day late fine to a maximum of $50.
• Past 1 month overdue, the laptop can no longer be returned, and the replacement bill becomes permanent.
• For current laptop availability at the Learning Commons Desk, see listings for LC Lenovo T490 laptop and  LC Lenovo 14E Chrome laptop on the Gadgets-to-Go page.

• Overdue Fees are assessed for laptops and 3-day pro-tier multimedia equipment. Due date reminder notices and billing notices are sent to the email address listed on the patron’s account record.
• For overdue recalled items, replacement charges will be assessed and borrowing privileges will be temporarily suspended until overdue recalled items are returned
• For 4-hour Reserve items, replacement charges will be assessed and borrowing privileges may be temporarily suspended until overdue Reserve items are returned.
• For 3-day Laptop loans, the overdue fee is $10.00 for each full day past due, up to a $50.00 maximum. Past 1 month overdue, the laptop can no longer be returned for refund, and the replacement bill becomes permanent.
• For 3-day Multimedia Equipment loans, the overdue fee is $10.00 for each full day past due up to a $50.00 maximum. Borrowing privileges may be temporarily suspended until overdue 3-day multimedia-items are returned

Replacement Charges

• When overdue library materials are not returned or renewed, a replacement bill is issued and a Replacement Charge notice is sent by email to the borrower.
• UMass and Five College books and media items: The standard replacement charge for books and media items borrowed from the Five College Libraries (Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith and UMass-Amherst) is $60, plus a $25 processing fee, for a total of $85.
• Public Locker and Research Carrel Keys: The replacement charge for unreturned 3-day public locker keys and carrel keys is $60, plus a $25 processing fee, for a total of $85.

Returns & Refunds

• If an item is not returned or renewed within specified time period past its due date, a replacement bill is issued. This period may vary from 2-3 days for short term (hourly and 3 day) loan items to 28 days for regular books.
• Replacement bills for books generally consist of a $60 replacement fee and a $25 processing fee. replacement charges for media and equipment items vary based on actual cost. Charges for high value books (such as art books) and some media sets or items may be higher, based on actual cost.
• When the item is returned within a specified period the bill is canceled.
• Credits for returns of billed items may not appear on your campus financial system account for 7-10 working days.
• The return of billed books and media after one academic year may not result in a bill adjustment.
• Replacement charges for short term loan high-demand items such as Reserve materials, Equipment and Laptops will not be refunded or credited after 30 days past the original due date.
• Charges for damaged materials are determined on a case-by-case basis and may be significantly higher, reflecting the actual cost of replacing the item.

For UMass-Amherst campus students, all Library fines and bills are payable through the University Bursar’s Office.