Books
Reserves
Laptops and Other Equipment
Protect Collection
Video Game Collection
Special Collections & Archives
Media Collection
Borrower Responsibilities
Overdue Policy
Billing Information
 

The State of California Information Practices Act of 1977 requires that the University notify borrowers about the Library's privacy policy.

The Library requests the following information from its borrowers:

• address
• email address
• phone number

This information is required to obtain library privileges. The Library keeps this information confidential.

The Library notifies borrowers of this policy during the Library Card registration process.

UCOP Policy on Access to UC Library Collections by External Users

• The material in the general collections is available to the public for in-library use. Only UCSC affiliates and courtesy borrowers may check material out from the general collections.
   
• Some collections housed in the library are unavailable for loan to anyone, regardless of affiliation, may only be used under certain conditions and/or may only be accessed during specific unit operational hours.
   
• Only patrons who are directly affiliated with UCSC (current faculty, staff and students) may access the full complement of licensed databases remotely. Access to the licensed databases is available to all visitors within the Library.
   
• There is no limit to the number of items that may be borrowed from the library by faculty, staff and students.
   
• Courtesy and Special borrowers may borrow up to 25 items at any one time.

• Borrowers are responsible for all material checked out until the material is returned to the appropriate circulation unit.
   
• Borrowers will keep the University Library informed of their current contact information.
   
• Borrowers who will be outside the Santa Cruz area for more than two weeks are encouraged to return all library materials. Being away from the Santa Cruz area is not considered justification for canceling late fees.
   
• Borrowers will follow the University Library Rules of Conduct.
   
• Each borrower must have a valid UC Santa Cruz ID card or University Library card. Library accounts may be obtained by completing a patron application at the McHenry Library or Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desk.
   
• Each borrower must present a photo ID each time material is checked out.
   
• Privileges are valid until the expiration date on the card has passed or affiliation with the University ends.
   
• Borrowers will report lost or stolen library cards within 48 hours. The Library holds borrowers responsible for all material checked out on their cards if they do not report the loss within 48 hours.
   
• Library privileges are non-transferable; please do not share your library barcode or login information.

Overdue Information:

• All borrowers are responsible for returning or renewing items checked out on their account to the library by the specified due date.
• Borrowers are responsible for knowing when their items are due.
• Items not returned or renewed by the due date may incur lost item charges.
• If you believe you returned an item and it is still on your library account you can place a claims returned search on it and the library will search for it in the stacks. More information about claims returned items can be found here.

The Library provides the following services to all patrons:

• Borrowers can access their accounts online to view the status of and renew checked-out items.
• Courtesy notices are emailed in advance of due dates.
• Overdue reminders are emailed shortly after items become due.
• Recall notices are emailed when items are requested by another borrower.
• Staff will renew items over the phone, by email, or by chat.
• Patrons are expected to keep the Library informed of current mailing and email addresses. Contact us via Chat or email us at library@ucsc.edu to update your address.

The University Library of the University of California, Santa Cruz, serves the instruction and research objectives of University faculty, students, and staff. Our Borrowing Policies define the access level, privileges, and responsibilities of individuals who borrow or make use of the University Library collections and resources.

As a state-supported public institution, the University Library strives to make the materials in its collections as available as possible to the users in the community and state, while simultaneously fulfilling its primary obligation to the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) campus and the University of California (UC) system.

The borrowing area served by the University Library is defined as the state of California. With the exception of UC faculty, staff, students, and UCSC Summer Conference participants, individuals must be at least 18 years of age and present proof of California residency (ID or driver's license) to receive a library card.

Reserve items circulate to UCSC students, faculty, staff and concurrent students only.

Reserve Item Loan Period

The loan period for items designated as reserves is determined by the instructor who placed the material on reserve. Reserve items may be loaned for one of the following time periods:

• 4 hours
• 24 hours
• 72 hours

Reserve items must be returned to the desk from which they were borrowed.

Instructors and teaching assistants who placed an item on reserve may request to borrow that item for a longer time period.

Reserve Item Renewals

Reserve items must be renewed in person at the Reserve Desk from which they were borrowed. Reserve items may not be renewed by phone or online.

Reserve Item Bookings (Holds)

• If a Reserve item is currently checked out, or you would like to pick an item up at a later time, you can place a booking on the material.
• Bookings must be done in-person, at either library, regardless of where the desired material is held.
• Bookings cannot be placed more than one business day in advance, except when placing bookings on 72-hour items that are currently checked out.
• Bookings may not be placed on multiple copies of the same item, or on an item that you currently have checked out.
• Bookings expire 15 minutes after the specified pick-up time.

End of the quarter holds may be placed in person at the Public Service Desk.

For further information, please refer to Course Reserves

Current UCSC students, faculty, and staff may borrow laptops from the Science & Engineering Library Circulation Desk and the McHenry Library Circulation Desk. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They may be reserved one day in advance. One laptop per person may be checked out.

Check Availability

• McHenry Dell Laptops and Chromebooks
• S&E Dell Laptops and Chromebooks

Loan Period

• The loan period is 4 hours.
• Renewals are allowed when there is no one waiting. Renewals must be done in person.
• Failure to return the equipment on time will result in an hourly fine.

Loan Enforcement

• The University Library reserves the right to deny checkout privileges based on past abuses.
• The borrower agrees to return the equipment in the same order and condition as when received and if such equipment is damaged or lost while on loan, agrees to reimburse the university for the costs of repair or replacement with new equipment of the same type.

Overdue Charges

• Overdue charges of $2.00 for each hour or partial hour until a maximum of $75.00 in fines are assessed if the equipment is not returned on time. Laptop replacement fees will be assessed if it is not returned. 
• Please report loss, damage, or defect to the Circulation Desk immediately.

Security

• Please do not leave the library equipment unattended. You are responsible for equipment checked out to you.
• Personal software may not be loaded onto the laptop. No user files will be retained on the hard disk.

Assistance

• For technical questions about the operation of the library laptops, please go to the IT Help Desk.
• Please report any hardware or software problems to Circulation staff when returning the laptop.

Protect Collection materials circulate to any patron with a current library card .

Items designated as part of the Protect Collection must be returned to the library desk from which they were borrowed.

Protect Collection Renewals

Materials may be renewed via the online library system, by telephone, by chat, by email, or in person at the library desk at the Protect Collection unit from which it was borrowed.

The video game collection, which is housed in the Science & Engineering Library, has over 700 games available for check-out, as well as approximately 40 consoles. The materials circulate to UCSC Faculty, Staff, and Students.

• Video Games and Game Consoles circulate for 2 weeks and have a 3 day grace period.
• Holds can be placed on any games or consoles checked out. This can be done in person or over the phone. 
• All Games and Game Consoles must be brought back to the library to be renewed.

The library has a Video Gaming Lab with a selection of both new and old school consoles to play.  The keys to use the game lab can be checked out at the Circulation Desk. You can find a list of games and consoles in Library Search. Items listed as "S&E GAME ROOM" are library use only.

PLEASE NOTE: checking consoles in and out takes some time; please be aware that the circulation desk closes 15 minutes before the building closes. Leave plenty of time for this transaction.

Games & consoles are subject to fines at full replacement costs. 

For more information, please refer to the Video Games Collection page.

Special Collections and archival material do not circulate but are available for research in the Special Collections reading room. Special conditions for use and handling of material, which are posted in the Special Collections unit, must be followed.

For more information, refer to the webpage: Special Collections & Archives

Media items may be checked out from the Circulation Desk.

Please return Media items on time. Items returned late are subject to late charges. Due to the delicate nature of media materials, please do not return items via campus mail or US Mail. 

Media Collection Renewals

• Checked out items may be renewed in person, online, or by calling 459-5185. Renewals may be limited or denied if an item has been requested for bookings or Reserves.