The Circulation department provides many services related to borrowing library materials, including check-out, renewals and course reserves.
Check out
In order check out library materials, the following identification is needed:
WSU faculty, staff and students
WSU-affiliated users will need a valid WSU identification card, which can be obtained at the Student Services Center. Faculty members who intend to have teaching or research assistants check out material for them should inquire about proxy cards at the Circulation Desk.
You don’t have a proxy? Current students, faculty and staff may complete the Library Designee Form (pdf) -- one signed form per visit. This form will not be accepted without your signature. Identification will be required from both you and your library designee at the time of checkout (see form for instructions).
WSU Online students
Students who are part of a WSU Global program need to obtain their WSU identification card directly from the WSU Global department. Please see WSU Global for assistance.
Summit Users
Faculty, staff and students from institutions that are part of the Oregon/Cascade Alliance consortium will need to present valid identification from that institution.
Community Users
Residents of southwest Washington can apply for a library card in order to check out books from the library and order books from other WSU Libraries. Review the Community User Policies page for more information.
Check-out (Loan) Periods
Check-out periods for items vary. Some general guidelines are:
WSU Items
- Books: Most books check out for 6 weeks for undergraduate students, staff and off-campus borrowers, and one semester for graduate students and faculty.
- Journals: WSU Vancouver journals cannot be checked out.
- Media: 3-5 days
- Children's books: 2 weeks
- Reserves: 2 hours - 7 day. varies
Summit Items
- The loan periods for most items checked out through Summit is 6 weeks.
- Media items (videos, DVDs, etc.) can be checked out for 6 days.
- No renewals on Summit items.
Interlibrary Loan Items
- Items requested through Interlibrary Loan / ILLIad will have different check-out periods. Please check the item for information on when it is due.
Renewals
If material is needed beyond the original loan period, it must be renewed. Renewals can be accomplished online using your Search It account or may be requested at the Circulation Desk, in person or by telephone. Items on reserve and items borrowed from Summit libraries cannot be renewed.
Interlibrary Loan / ILLiad: Items ordered from other libraries through interlibrary loan (ILLiad) cannot be renewed online. Please contact the Interlibrary loan department for assistance at 360-546-9683 or docdel@vancouver.wsu.edu.
View your record
You can use the manage your library accounts page to see what you have checked out or requested through Search It, Summit and/or ILLiad.
Overdue Items
Library materials become overdue if not returned by the due date. An overdue notice is usually emailed as a courtesy reminder. You are responsible for returning borrowed items on time whether or not an overdue notice is received. To ensure that you receive email notices, please ensure you have setup email forwarding in myWSU.
Fine Information
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 costs. Fines accrue during all hours the library is open. Fine invoices are mailed directly to the borrower. Payments can be made online via myWSU or in person at the Cashier's desk in the Cougar Center located on the upper level of the Student Services Center (VSSC)
Questions or problems about a particular fine may be directed to the Circulation Desk.
Reserve Items
Heavily used items and those requested by instructors for assigned class reading are kept at Circulation. Because of the demand for these items, loan periods are shortened, fine rates are higher. There are no renewals on reserve items.
To locate reserves for a specific course, visit the Find Course Reserves page.
Information on how to place items on reserve can be found on the Instructor Reserves Information page.
Missing Items
If an item is not checked out and you cannot find it on the shelf, please report it to the Circulation Desk. This will start 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.
Change of Address
Please ensure that the university has a current address on record for you. Faculty, staff and current students can check and update their addresses and phone numbers through myWSU. Note you will need your Network ID to login. Address information can be found in the "Profile" section of myWSU.
Community borrowers can request a change of address form at the Circulation desk.
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your library account, fines, checked out items, renewals or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact us: van.library@wsu.edu. We are here to help!