Checkout Policies

Who can use the library?
Everyone is welcome in the three libraries at Freed-Hardeman University, whether you are affiliated with the school or not. Most resources can be used in the library without the need to check them out. However, if you do want to check items out you have to be a current student or employee; or you can sign up for a Community or WeTALC library card. Details on how to apply for one of these cards are described in the Community, WeTALC and Affiliate Patrons section below.
What Can I Check Out; And For How Long?
What you can check out varies for different library patron groups. Click the group that describes you to find out what you can check out, how long you can keep it, and what the overdue fee would be.
Undergraduate Students
Material
Checkout Length
Overdue Fee
Books
Two Weeks
10¢ / day
Reference Books
In-Library use only
-
Restoration & Rare Books
In-Library use only
-
Periodicals
In-Library use only
-
Items on Reserve
Varies
25¢ / hour
Juvenile Books
Two Weeks
10¢ / day
Juvenile Kits
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Teaching Manipulatives
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Textbooks
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Instructional Materials
Two Weeks
10¢ / day
FLIX DVDs
Three Days
$1 / day
Other DVDs and VHS
Four Hours (in-library only)
25¢ / hour
CDs, CD-ROMs, Records
One Week
25¢ / day
 
Graduate Students
Material
Checkout Length
Overdue Fee
Books
Four Weeks
10¢ / day
Reference Books
In-Library use only
-
Restoration & Rare Books
In-Library use only
-
Periodicals
In-Library use only
-
Items on Reserve
Varies
25¢ / hour
Juvenile Books
Four Weeks
10¢ / day
Juvenile Kits
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Teaching Manipulatives
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Textbooks
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Instructional Materials
Two Weeks
10¢ / day
FLIX DVDs
Three Days
$1 / day
Other DVDs and VHS
Four Hours (in-library only)
25¢ / hour
CDs, CD-ROMs, Records
One Week
25¢ / day
 
Graduate Thesis Students (enrolled for thesis credit in current semester)
Material
Checkout Length
Overdue Fee
Books
Duration of semester
10¢ / day
Reference Books
In-Library use only
-
Restoration & Rare Books
In-Library use only
-
Periodicals
In-Library use only
-
Items on Reserve
Varies
25¢ / hour
Juvenile Books
Duration of semester
10¢ / day
Juvenile Kits
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Teaching Manipulatives
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Textbooks
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Instructional Materials
Duration of semester
10¢ / day
FLIX DVDs
Three Days
$1 / day
Other DVDs and VHS
Four Hours (in-library only)
25¢ / hour
CDs, CD-ROMs, Records
One Week
25¢ / day
 
Honors College Members
Material
Checkout Length
Overdue Fee
Books
Four Weeks
10¢ / day
Reference Books
24 Hours
25¢ / hour
Restoration & Rare Books
In-Library use only
-
Periodicals
24 Hours
25¢ / hour
Items on Reserve
Varies
25¢ / hour
Juvenile Books
Four Weeks
10¢ / day
Juvenile Kits
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Teaching Manipulatives
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Textbooks
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Instructional Materials
Four Weeks
10¢ / day
FLIX DVDs
Three Days
$1 / day
Other DVDs and VHS
24 Hours
25¢ / hour
CDs, CD-ROMs, Records
One Week
25¢ / day
 
Faculty
Material
Checkout Length
Overdue Fee
Books
Duration of semester
none
Reference Books
Two Weeks
none
Restoration & Rare Books
Two Weeks
none
Periodicals
Two Weeks
none
Items on Reserve
Varies
none
Juvenile Books
Duration of semester
none
Juvenile Kits
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Teaching Manipulatives
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Textbooks
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Instructional Materials
Duration of semester
none
FLIX DVDs
Three Days
$1 / day
Other DVDs and VHS
Two Weeks
none
CDs, CD-ROMs, Records
Two Weeks
none
 
Staff
Material
Checkout Length
Overdue Fee
Books
Four Weeks
none
Reference Books
In-Library use only
-
Restoration & Rare Books
In-Library use only
-
Periodicals
In-Library use only
-
Items on Reserve
Varies
none
Juvenile Books
Four Weeks
none
Juvenile Kits
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Teaching Manipulatives
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Textbooks
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Instructional Materials
Four Weeks
none
FLIX DVDs
Three Days
$1 / day
Other DVDs and VHS
One Week
none
CDs, CD-ROMs, Records
One Week
none
 
Fac/Staff Families and Affiliates
Material
Checkout Length
Overdue Fee
Books
Two Weeks
none
Reference Books
In-Library use only
-
Restoration & Rare Books
In-Library use only
-
Periodicals
In-Library use only
-
Items on Reserve
Varies
none
Juvenile Books
Two Weeks
none
Juvenile Kits
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Teaching Manipulatives
Not Circulated
-
Juvenile Textbooks
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Instructional Materials
Two Weeks
none
FLIX DVDs
Three Days
$1 / day
Other DVDs and VHS
One Week
none
CDs, CD-ROMs, Records
One Week
none
 
Community and WeTALC Patrons
Material
Checkout Length
Overdue Fee
Books
Two Weeks
10¢ / day
Reference Books
In-Library use only
-
Restoration & Rare Books
In-Library use only
-
Periodicals
In-Library use only
-
Items on Reserve
Not Circulated
-
Juvenile Books
Two Weeks
10¢ / day
Juvenile Kits
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Teaching Manipulatives
Not Circulated
-
Juvenile Textbooks
Two Weeks
$1 / day
Juvenile Instructional Materials
Two Weeks
10¢ / day
FLIX DVDs
Not Circulated
-
Other DVDs and VHS
Not Circulated
-
CDs, CD-ROMs, Records
Not Circulated
-
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Faculty and graduate thesis students can have up to fifty books checked out at once, while staff and students have a limit of twenty-five. Community and WeTALC patrons have a checkout limit of three items. Affiliates and Fac/Staff families have a limit of five items.

The library staff retains discretionary rights to loan some non-circulating materials under extenuating circumstances.
Renewing Items
Items from the Loden-Daniel Library and Learning-Resource Library may be renewed one time as long as they are not on hold for someone else; though items from the AV Library cannot be renewed. At the moment we can only renew items if you bring them in person to the library. We don't handle renewals over the phone except for members of the the Honors College who may renew materials once without returning them. Books may be renewed even after they are overdue, but overdue charges will still apply for the days up until that point.
Overdue Items
All items checked out from the library will have a due date. You'll be told when they're due and books will be stamped when you check them out, but you'll also receive a courtesy email notice the day before something is due to help remind you.

If you keep an item past its due date, there will be a late charge added to your library account for every day it's overdue. The amount of the overdue charge varies by material and patron group, so see the What Can I Check Out section above for details.

After an item is overdue, you'll get an overdue email notice and those will be repeated every few days. After being overdue for five weeks - or two weeks for a few items like FLIX movies - the item will be considered lost by the system. See the Lost Items section for details.

Note: While faculty and staff are not charged fines for most overdue items, they are subject to fines for overdue FLIX movies and Juvenile Kits, Textbooks and Teaching Manipulatives.

Note: We make every effort to make sure you get your courtesy and overdue notices, but failure to receive an email doesn't exempt you from fines on overdue items.
Lost Items
Items more than five weeks overdue will automatically be considered lost by the library system. After that time, your library account will be billed for the replacement cost of the materials and a $7.00 processing and service charge. The replacement cost will be a minimum of $50 for books and $30 for DVDs and could be more depending on the rarity of the item. You (as a library user) do have the option to purchase a copy of the lost item on your own and give it to the library to avoid paying the full replacement fee. This needs to happen before the library has purchased its own replacement—typically, within two weeks of confirmation that item needs replacing. The replacement volume must be identical to the original copy (i.e., have the same ISBN number or other standard identifying number AND similar binding). The replacement copy must be in new or "like new" condition. Prior to repurchase, the library's Circulation Supervisor will examine the possible replacement copy (e.g., checking condition status & ISBN information online) and determine its identical quality. After approval by the CS, the replacement copy can then be purchased by you (the library user). The $7 processing fee and service charge is still applicable in this situation. Any library blocks previously placed on a user account will be removed once the library has an acceptable replacement item in hand (or has received from the user the full amount required to replace the item).

The replacement cost will be refunded (minus appropriate overdue fees) if the item is returned:

1. within six months after acquiring a lost status AND

2. before a replacement is purchased by the library.

Generally, any item returned after replacement or after six months will not be refunded.
Damaged Items
When an item is returned & is identified by the Circulation Supervisor as "damaged," the library user who returned the item will be charged a replacement cost of the item ($50 for books or $30 for DVDs) plus a processing charge of $7. The library user does have the option to purchase a copy of the damaged item on their own and give it to the library to avoid paying the full replacement fee. This needs to happen before the library has purchased its own replacement—typically, within two weeks of confirmation that item needs replacing. The replacement volume must be identical to the original copy (i.e., have the same ISBN number or other standard identifying number AND similar binding). The replacement copy must be in new or "like new" condition. Prior to repurchase, the library's Circulation Supervisor will examine the possible replacement copy (e.g., checking condition status & ISBN information online) and determine its identical quality. After approval by the CS, the replacement copy can then be purchased by you (the library user). Any library blocks previously placed on a user account will be removed once the library has an acceptable replacement item in hand (or has received from the user the full amount required to replace the item).
Library Fines and Charges
Overdue charges, lost charges, and charges for certain library services - like ILL postage - are automatically added to your library account. You'll receive an email the day after the charge to let you know about the account activity (unless the charge is paid or waived that same day, in which case no email would be sent). If you're a student, faculty, or staff, the notice would be sent to your FHU email address. Community, WeTALC, or Affiliate patrons would recieve the notice at the email address you provided when you signed up for your library account.

You don't have to pay your library bill immediately: you can leave the charges on your account and pay at your convenience. There are two important exceptions to note, however:

1. If you get a late fee for an overdue FLIX movie, you have to pay that before you can check out more FLIX movies.

2. Once you reach $25 in total library charges you'd have seven days to settle your bill, either by paying it or by returning / replacing any lost items. If it's not settled after seven days, a block would be placed on your school account, preventing you from registring from future classes, receiving transcripts, etc., until part of your bill is paid. So if you start to accumulate a lot of library charges, please come in and pay some of your balance! Note: at the start of the seven day period, an email will be sent to your FHU student email to outline the policy and make you aware of what's going on; however, failure to receive or take note of the email doesn't exempt you from this policy.

Library charges can be paid with cash or check, and are accepted at the Main Library, AV Library, or Learning Resource Library.
Holds
If you need a book already checked out to someone else, you have the option to put a "hold" on it so it will be reserved for you after it's returned. Holds may be placed two ways: in person at the library circulation desk, or through the library online catalog. To place a hold online, first search for it in the library catalog and click on the title to bring up the record. If it's already checked out, you'll see a Hold button on the item record so you can place your hold. Please note: Audiovisual items are not eligible for holds.

Once an item on hold has been turned in, you'll receive an email to let you know your hold is available. It will be kept for you at either the Loden-Daniel Library or the Learning Resource Library for one week. After that period the hold will be cancelled and it will be returned to the shelf or made available for the next person who has a hold on it.
Community, WeTALC and Affiliate Patrons
If you're not currently enrolled or employed at Freed-Hardeman, you are still welcome in the library! Most collections are open for use within the library, and a number of computers may be used for research by visitors to the campus. To check materials out of the library, visitors can apply for a community, WeTALC, or affiliate library card:
Community Patron
Library visitors not currently enrolled or employed at FHU can get for a community patron card by completing an application form available in the Loden-Daniel Library. You must be at least a junior in high school and be able to present a valid form of ID to apply for a card. The library card costs $10.00 and is valid for three years. Community patrons may have up to three books checked out at a time and, with a completed form and payment, you may immediately begin checking out books on your first visit. A permanent library card will then be made and can be picked up during your second visit to Loden-Daniel Library. Following the second visit, community patrons must bring their library cards to check out materials. The community patron card is non-transferrable and does not carry any privileges in departments, events, or buildings elsewhere on campus.
WeTALC Patron
Library visitors currently enrolled in a nearby college or university may have borrowing privileges at FHU as well. Through WeTALC (the West Tennessee Academic Library Consortium), students at the following schools can apply for an FHU WeTALC card: Baptist College of Health Sciences, Bethel University, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Library, Christian Brothers University, Dyersburg State Community College, Jackson State Community College, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis College of Art, Rhodes College, Southern College of Optometry, Southwest Tennessee Community College, University of Tennessee at Martin, Union University, University of Memphis, University of Memphis at Lambuth, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Victory University. The WeTALC library card is free, and is valid as long as you are enrolled at the participating school. To get the card, you can complete an application form available in the Loden-Daniel Library. You also must present a current I.D. from the WeTALC institution you attend when applying and each time you check out items. WeTALC patrons may have up to three items checked out at a time and you may immediately begin checking out items on your first visit. A permanent library card will then be made and can be picked up during your second visit to Loden-Daniel Library. The WeTALC patron card is non-transferrable and does not carry any privileges in departments, events, or buildings elsewhere on campus.
Affiliate Patron
Affiliate patron cards are available to faculty and staff spouses and children (at least a junior in high school), retired faculty, and board members. The card is free and is available by completing an application form available in the Loden-Daniel Library. Affiliate patrons may have up to five items checked out at a time and you may immediately begin checking out items on your first visit. A permanent library card will then be made and can be picked up during your second visit to Loden-Daniel Library. Following the second visit, affiliate patrons must bring their library cards to check out materials. The affiliate patron card is non-transferrable and does not carry any privileges in departments, events, or buildings elsewhere on campus.
Security
The library uses a 3M electronic detection system to monitor the unauthorized removal of materials. The system is completely safe. It will not erase tapes, disks, or cassettes. The 3M system detects through bags, briefcases, and clothing. If the alarm sounds, circulation personnel will stop the person exiting the gate and ask to see materials in bags, purses, backpacks, etc. The circulation staff is at liberty to identify the probable cause of the alarm sounding.
Conduct
An atmosphere conducive to reading and study is maintained at all times. Students are to cooperate by being quiet and courteous, or they will be asked to leave the library. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Groups working together are encouraged to work quietly. There are designated quiet study areas in the back of the first floor and on the second floor of the Loden-Daniel Library.

Food and drinks are allowed in the Loden-Daniel Library and the AV Annex, but please dispose of any wrappers or containers and try to keep the library clean. Food and drinks aren't allowed in the Learning Resource Library at this time.

Appropriate dress is the same as for class attendance (see FHU Student Handbook). FHU is a tobacco-free environment. No smoking or use of tobacco in any form will be allowed in the library.
Confidentiality
The library follows the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics in keeping all borrower records confidential.