Borrowing
The expanded Circulation/Reserves service is now adjacent to the Learning Commons on the Lower Level of Du Bois.
Circulation and Reserves Service Desk and staff are now located on the Lower Level of the Du Bois Library. Check out books, course reserve materials, laptops, multimedia equipment, public locker keys and more at this convenient combined service point.
Who Can Borrow from the UMass Amherst Libraries?
The UMass Amherst Libraries lend to faculty, staff, and students of UMass Amherst and the Four Colleges. Borrowing privileges are extended to adult residents of Massachusetts, University Alumni, as well as students at all other Massachusetts colleges and cardholders at institutions which are members of the Boston Library Consortium. 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 (see requirements below). Please note: all borrowed books are subject to Recall with 10 days notice.
What Do You Need to Get a UMass Amherst Library Card?
For students, faculty, and staff of UMass Amherst, the UCard is the library card. All others must complete the borrower card application. Borrower cards must be picked up in person. 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. Questions? Call (413) 545-2623.
| Eligible Borrowers | Requirements |
| Students from other Massachusetts colleges |
Valid institutional photo ID |
| Adult residents of the Commonwealth |
Proof of residence & photo ID |
| Secondary students under 18 years old |
Recommendation letter from school administrator or school librarian & photo ID. |
| UMass Amherst Alumni | Year of graduation, current address & photo ID |
| Visiting Scholars | Letter of introduction on letterhead from home institution or UMass host plus photo ID |
| Non-residents of Massachusetts with current affiliation with UMass or the Four Colleges | Documented proof of current institutional affiliation & photo ID |
| Users affiliated with Boston Library Consortium Institutions |
Boston Library Consortium card & valid institutional photo ID |
A photo ID must be presented with the borrower's card for each loan transaction. Borrowing privileges will be denied if a photo ID is not presented.
What Can I Borrow and Renew?
Most 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 Undergraduate | 28 days | 9 |
| UMass Amherst Continuing and Professional Ed | 28 days | 9 |
| UMass Amherst Masters/Doctoral Student | 180 days | 3 |
| UMass Amherst Faculty & Staff | 180 days | 3 |
| 4 Colleges Faculty & Staff | 90 days | 3 |
| 4 Colleges Students | 28 days | 9 |
| Other Massachusetts & BLC Consortium Colleges | 28 days | 9 |
| Massachusetts Residents | 28 days | 9 |
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Microforms
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| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| All users | 28 days | 0 |
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Books at the Five College Depository
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| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| UMass Amherst & Four Colleges Students | 28 days | 3 |
| UMass Amherst & Four Colleges Faculty & Staff | 28 days | 3 |
| Other Colleges | No | No |
| Massachusetts Residents | No | No |
| Unbound Periodicals |
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| Patron Type |
Loan Period |
Renewals |
| UMass Amherst Undergraduates | 24 hours | No |
| UMass Amherst Continuing Education | 24 hours | No |
| UMass Amherst Graduate Students | 24 hours |
No |
| UMass Amherst Faculty & Staff | 24 hours |
No |
| Four College Faculty, Staff & Students | No | No |
| Other Colleges |
No |
No |
| Massachusetts Residents | No |
No |
| Newspapers (Print) | ||
| Patron Type |
Loan Period |
Renewals |
| All Users |
No |
No |
| Bound Periodicals | ||
| Patron Type |
Loan Period |
Renewals |
| UMass Amherst Undergraduates |
24 hours |
No |
| UMass Amherst Continuing Education | 24 hours |
No |
| UMass Amherst Graduate Students | 24 hours |
No |
| UMass Amherst Faculty & Staff | 24 hours |
No |
| Four Colleges Faculty, Staff, & Students | No | No |
| Other Colleges |
No |
No |
| Massachusetts Residents |
No |
No |
| Reserve Materials* |
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| Patron Type |
Loan Period |
Renewals |
| Anyone with a valid library card |
3 Hours | Yes, if no one is waiting. |
| *Some Reserve items are in-library-use only |
You must return and renew Reserve items at the Circulation/Reserves Desk on the Lower Level ofDu Bois Library. | |
| Media: Videos (VHS, DVD), Audio CDs, Audiocassetttes, LPs, Music Monuments | ||
| Patron Type |
Loan Period |
Renewals |
| UMass Amherst Students |
Video: 5 days (Limit 3 items of each format) Audio: 5 days (Limit 3 items of each format) |
2 |
| UMass Alumni | Video: 5 days (Limit 3 items of each format) Audio: 5 days (Limit 3 items of each format) |
2 |
| Massachusetts Residents |
Video: 5 days (Limit 3 items of each format) Audio: 5 days (Limit 3 items of each format) |
2 |
| UMass Amherst Faculty & Staff |
Video: 5 days (Limit 3 items of each format) Audio: 5 days (Limit 3 items of each format) |
2 |
| Four Colleges Students, Faculty & Staff | Video: 5 days (Limit 3 items of each format) Audio: 5 days (Limit 3 items of each format) |
No |
| Music Monuments | 5 days | 2 |
| Public Locker Keys | ||
| Patron Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
| All Users | 3 days | No |
| Laptop PCs from Lower Level Circulation/Reserves Desk - Du Bois* *These items are in-library-use only. |
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| Patron Type |
Loan Period |
Renewals |
| UMass Amherst Students ONLY |
4 hours |
1 |
| Multi-media Equipment from Lower Level Circulation/Reserves Desk - Du Bois |
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Loan periods for Bound Periodicals held at the Five College Depository vary. Please ask at the Circulation/Reserves Desk.
What is a proxy?
UMass faculty, staff and special needs students are eligible for a proxy card. A proxy card allows a designated individual to check out books for them. Research assistants are often designated as a proxy for faculty members. The faculty, staff or student who has authorized the proxy is responsible for all materials charged out on the proxy card.
The UMass Amherst Libraries are committed to protecting each library user's privacy and confidentiality by keeping any personally identifiable information about users private.
Last Edited: 11 January 2013
