Circulation Frequently Asked Questions
What you need to know about borrowing.
langcirc@ubalt.edu | 410-837-4260
If you can't find the answer to your question here, or need more help, you can always ask the Circulation Desk.
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To begin, you must have a 14 digit library patron number placed on the back of your ID card and you must be currently registered as a student,faculty or staff member. See a circulation staff member if you have any questions or phone us at (410) 837-4260.
Follow the steps below to acquire items from other USM University System of Maryland libraries;
Step 1: Use the Catalog to search for the title you want.
When searching the Catalog be to choose the University System of Maryland option from the drop down menu.
Step 2: Once you have located the title you want, click on the title (should be a link) to see the full record.
Step 3: Locate the listing for University System of Maryland Libraries in the Find a copy in the library section of the results.
Step 4: Click on the blue Request button
Step 5: You will be asked to sign in with your NetID and password. (Alumni and non-UB Students will need to obtain an active library barcode in order to place requests.)
Step 6: Read each screen, and follow the directions that will guide you through the process.
As soon as a copy is available, it will be sent to the location you specify in the request process. Library materials will be sent via UPS from any USM location to any USM location.
Any circulating book at any USM Library can be sent to Langsdale free of charge and placed on the hold shelf for you.The Catalog even permits you to place a hold request on UB books to be brought from the shelves for you by the afternoon of the next business day. If the Catalog showed that the item you wanted was on the shelf at UB, you may call the Circulation Department at 410-837-4260 after 2pm the next business day after placing the hold. Staff will be able to inform you whether the item has been placed on the hold shelf for you.
If the item you have requested is on shelf at another participating USM library, the item will usually arrive after 2pm, three to four business days after you have placed the hold. If the item is charged out or being held for another patron, your hold will enter a queue and a copy will be sent to location you specify in the request and held for you when it becomes available.
All USM library materials may be returned to any USM library, regardless of where they were picked up or which library owns them. All USM library materials may be returned in the bookdrop at the front of the Langsdale Library.
Participating USM Schools:
BC University of Maryland Baltimore County
BL University of Baltimore Law Library
BS Bowie State University
CS Coppin State College
ES University of Maryland Eastern Shore
FS Frostburg State University
ML University of Maryland Law Library
SM St. Mary's College of Maryland
SS Salisbury State University
TS Towson University
UB University of Baltimore
UMCP University of Maryland College Park Libraries
AC Architecture
AR Art
CH Chemistry
EP Engineering and Physical Science
LS Library School
MK McKeldin
PA Performing Arts
UMUC University of Maryland University College
AN Annapolis Center
SF Staff Library
SG Shady Grove
WC Waldorf Center
Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies
CH Chesapeake Bio. Lab.
HP Horn Point Lab.Other University and Public Library material loans will be handled through you Interlibrary Loan account. Contact Book and Document Delivery staff for more information: ill@ubalt.edu | 410-837-4283
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What do I need to borrow books, DVD, etc?
To borrow a book you must have an ID from UB, a University System of Maryland institution, or a cooperating institution (see list of institutions below), which has been validated for the current semester.
DVDs are only available to UB students, faculty, staff or alumni.
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How long can I keep a book or DVD?
Books, government documents, and annual reports: Can be checked out for 4 weeks. 2 renewals are allowed, if no hold has been placed on the item(s) by another patron, and can be done in person, by phone, or online.
Media (DVD and VHS): A total of 5 can be checked out for 7 days (UB students, faculty, staff and alumnus only).
Reserves: Most reserves are in-library use only, with a two-hour limit. A reserve may be renewed if it has not been requested by another patron. Outside-library use is determined by the instructor.
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What can not be checked out of the library?
Books: Reference and Special Collection materials do not circulate except in rare cases through approval of the Reference department. In such cases they are charged and returned at the Reference Desk.
Periodicals: Periodicals (magazines, journals, newspapers) do not circulate.
Government Documents: Documents that have been checked-out before can circulate. Previously uncirculated documents must be approved for circulation by the librarian on duty at the second floor Reference Desk.
Reserves: Up to three reserve items may be checked out at the same time.
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What Items do I have currently checked out?
You can view your library account to see what items you have checked out to you and when they are due.
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Can I renew a book or DVD?
You can renew your books or media items online through the USMAI catalog. You can also renew items in person or by phone. Up to 2 renewals are allowed for each item, unless someone has placed a hold/recall on it.
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Where do I return a book?
Books can be returned to the Circulation desk on the 1st floor of Langsdale Library. Langsdale also has a book deposit at its Maryland Avenue entrance which allows patrons to return books even when the library is closed to the public. Overdue books may also be returned in the book drop. All books found in the deposit when the library reopens are considered returned on the last day the library was open.
Patrons who return books at the desk may request a return receipt.
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What are the fines if my items are overdue?
Overdue items: All circulating items: After a three day grace period, fines on these overdue items accrue at a rate of 25 cents per day from the original due date. The maximum fine is $20.00
Reserves:
In-library reserves: $5.00 fine for unauthorized removal from library.
Out-of-library reserves: $1.00 per day.Recalled Items: $1.50/day, up to a maximum fine of $25.00.
Lost Item Fees:
Books/Media Items: $125.00
Documents: $25.00 -
What if I want a book that is currently checked out?
You can place a recall on a book that is currently checked out, by clicking on the yellow Request button for that book in the catalog. The current holder will receive a notice asking him or her to return the book and you will be notified when it becomes available. For more details see Hold-Recall Procedure.
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Can I borrow books from other Libraries?
Can I borrow books from other Libraries? [top]
University of Baltimore students, faculty, and staff have borrowing privileges at the following libraries, subject to their borrowing policies:University System of Maryland (USM) Libraries
Morgan State University
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Bowie State University-BSU
Coppin State College-CSC
Frostburg State University-FSU
Salisbury State University-SSU
Towson University-TU
University of Baltimore Law Library-UBLL
University of Maryland, Baltimore: Health Sciences & Law Libraries-UMHS, UMLL
University of Maryland, Baltimore County-UMBC
University of Maryland, Eastern Shore-UMES
University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science-UMCES
University of Maryland, College Park-UMCP
University of Maryland, University College-UMUCBooks from the above libraries may also be requested by the patron for delivery to Langsdale Library by placing a Hold/Recall through the Catalog. Please ask a staff member for help in using this service.
Baltimore Academic Library Consortium (BALC)
Baltimore Hebrew University
Community College of Baltimore County
Goucher College
Loyola-Notre Dame Library
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
Stevenson University (formerly Villa Julie College) -
How can I borrow books Langsdale does not own?
If a book is in the Catalog, you can request that an item be sent to Langsdale by clicking on the blue Request Item button.
Use your Interlibrary Loan account to request articles not available at Langsdale or another USMAI's library.
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Can I borrow a Laptop from Langsdale Library?