Borrowing FAQ
Who can borrow?
The UMass Amherst Libraries lend to faculty, staff, and students of UMass Amherst (including Distance Learning and Continuing and Professional Education students) along with students of Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges. Borrowing privileges are also extended to adult residents of Massachusetts, UMass-Amherst Alumni, as well as current students at all other Massachusetts public colleges and universities MCCLPHEI and students and faculty of other institutions that are members of the Boston Library Consortium. Outstanding prior bills or obligations to the University or its Libraries must be paid in full. Massachusetts resident secondary students under the age of 18 may obtain borrowing privileges by prior arrangement with authorization from their school librarian or school administrator.
Contact us: circulation@umass.libanswers.com (413) 545-2623
Can materials on loan be recalled prior to their original due date?
What Do You Need to Get a UMass Amherst Library Card?
For full-time students, faculty, and staff of UMass Amherst, the UCard is the library card. For students enrolled in UMass Amherst Distance Learning degree programs, the Distance Learning Card, available from the UCard office, serves as the Library card. All others, including MA State Residents, must complete the borrower card application. Borrower cards must be picked up in person.We require a current valid state-issued photo ID and may require additional documentation for identity and address verification purposes. Please allow at least 15 minutes at the time of your visit to complete the process. Applicant must present proof of residence and a valid photo ID.
PLEASE NOTE: New applicants will be subject to a borrowing limit of ONE ITEM for up to 30 days until an identity/address verification process has been completed.
| Eligible Borrowers | Requirements |
| Students from other Massachusetts public higher ed colleges (MCCLPHEI) Borrowing Limit: 25 Items maximum |
Valid institutional photo ID & government issued photo ID |
| Adult residents of the Commonwealth Borrowing Limit: 25 items maximum |
Valid state issued photo ID Outstanding prior bills or obligations to the University Libraries must be paid in full. |
| Secondary students under 18 years old Borrowing Limit: 25 items maximum |
Recommendation letter from school administrator or school librarian & photo ID (state issued or high school issued) Instructions: Obtaining Borrowing Privileges for visiting student groups |
| UMass Amherst Alumni who currently reside outside MA |
Year of graduation, proof of current address & state issued photo ID Outstanding prior bills or obligations to the University Libraries must be paid in full. |
| Visiting Scholars | Letter of sponsorship on letterhead from sponsoring UMass-Amherst host department & photo ID |
| Non-residents of Massachusetts with current affiliation with UMass or the Four Colleges | Documented proof of current institutional affiliation & government issued photo ID |
| Users affiliated with Boston Library Consortium Institutions | Boston Library Consortium card & valid institutional photo ID & government issued photo ID |
A photo ID must be presented with the borrower's card for each loan transaction.
What can be Borrowed and Renewed?
Most UMass/Five College Library materials circulate and may be renewed online, in person, or by written request. Some Library materials are designated as non-circulating, such as reference and law, certain Reserve materials and those in Special Collections and University Archives. Loan policies vary according to the following chart. For media materials such as DVDs, see Media Collection .
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Books
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| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| UMass-Amherst undergraduates and Five College students, UMass Amherst Continuing and Professional Education (CP&E) students | 90 days | 3 |
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UMass Amherst Faculty & Staff, UMass Amherst Masters/Doctoral Students |
180 days for UMass items, 90 days for items from other Five College libraries | 3 |
| Four Colleges Faculty & Staff | 90 days | 3 |
| Students of Massachusetts & BLC Consortium Colleges, Massachusetts Residents and UMass Amherst Alumni | 28 days | 9 |
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Microforms
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| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| All users | 28 days | No |
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Books at the Five College Depository
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| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| UMass Amherst & Five College faculty, staff and Students | 28 days | 3 |
| Massachusetts Residents, UMass Amherst Alumni, Students outside the Five Colleges | No | No |
| Bound Periodicals | ||
| Patron Type | Loan Period | Online Request/Renewal |
| UMass Amherst & Five College students, faculty and staff | 3 Days | No |
| Other Massachusetts and BLC Consortium Colleges, Massachusetts Residents and UMass Amherst Alumni | Onsite Use Only | Onsite Use Only |
| Unbound Periodicals | ||
| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| UMass Amherst & Five College students, faculty and staff | 24 hours | No |
| Reserve Materials* | ||
| *Some Reserve items are in-library-use only. You must return and renew Reserve items at the Circulation/Reserves Desk on the Lower Level of Du Bois Library. | ||
| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| All Users | 4 Hours | Yes, in person, if no one is on waitlist for item. |
| Media: Videos (VHS, DVD), Audio CDs, Audiocassetttes, LPs, (Including Music Monuments) | ||
| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| UMass Amherst and Five College Students, Faculty and Staff | 5 days (Limit 10 items) | 2 |
| Massachusetts State Residents, UMass Amherst Alumni, Other Massachusetts & BLC Consortium Card holders | 5 days (Limit 3 items) | No |
| Public Locker Keys | ||
| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| All Users | 3 days | In person only |
| Laptop PCs and Power Adapters from Lower Level Learning Commons Desk - Du Bois | ||
| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| UMass Amherst Students ONLY | 3 Days | No |
| Multi-media Equipment from Lower Level learning Commons Desk - Du Bois | ||
| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| UMass Amherst Students, faculty and Staff ONLY | 3 days | No |
What if my borrowed materials go overdue and I get a bill?
When overdue books and media items are not returned or renewed within 30 days from the due date, a replacement bill is issued. If the item is returned within a specified time period, the bill is canceled.
Returns of billed books and media items past due more than one academic year may not result in a credit or refund.
Returns of short term loan items such as Reserve materials, Equipment and Laptops billed and past due for more than 30 days will not result in a credit or refund.
Credits for billed item returns may not appear on campus student financial system accounts for 7-10 working days.
