Borrow, Renew, Return

Borrow Material

A valid UC Davis Library account is required to borrow and renew materials and to place recalls or requests. Faculty or individuals needing assistance using the library may designate a proxy to conduct library business on their behalf.

Users may borrow most UC Davis Library items that aren’t a part of Archives and Special Collections, Reference, or another protected collection. These special items may only be viewed within the library.

How long can material be borrowed?

Loan periods vary based upon user group, owning library, and material type. Items that are borrowed via Interlibrary Loan are subject to the loan rules of the lending library. It’s important to note that all library items are subject to immediate recall.

* Does not include items held in Reserves, Reference, or Special Collections or items obtained through Interlibrary Loan
** Loan period is determined by course instructor

Borrower Responsibilities

Do not lend your library card to others. Library privileges are not transferable; individuals are prohibited from lending their library cards to others. Borrowers are responsible for library material checked out to them until the material is returned and checked in at the library.

Keep your email and postal addresses up to date. This information can be updated at any circulation desk or by using Update Addresses in your library My Account. The libraries assume no responsibility for undeliverable or misdirected notices. Non-receipt of notices due to an incorrect address may result in replacement bills and loss of library privileges. The library does not automatically receive updated addresses from other campus units (e.g., Registrar)

Renew Material

Faculty and staff are given unlimited renewals of UC Davis-owned material while most others may renew materials up to a maximum loan period of one year. Items cannot be renewed if the item is requested, the user’s library account is suspended or expired, or if the maximum loan period has been reached.

Return Material

Materials are not considered returned until received and checked in at a UC Davis Library location.

• Reserves materials must be returned directly to the library circulation desk from which they were borrowed.
• Interlibrary Loan materials must be returned directly to the library circulation desk from which they were borrowed.
• Recalled materials must be returned to a library circulation desk or attached book drop. Recalled materials should not be returned to a remote book drop.
• All other materials may be returned to any UC library or book drop location.

Materials not received by their due date may be subject to billing; user privileges may be suspended if materials are not returned on time. The Library does not assume any risk for material returned at a remote drop box, by mail, or to another UC campus.

Return via Drop Box

Library materials may be returned via remote drop boxes located on the main UC Davis campus. Materials returned to a remote drop box may take several additional days to be received by the library and are not concerned returned until received and checked in at a UC Davis Library location.

• Remote drop box location map

Return via Mail

When returning library materials by mail, packages should be insured and sent by a mailing service that provides tracking (e.g., UPS, FedEx); If you are not located near the Davis or Sacramento area, you may email shieldsinterloan@ucdavis.edu and request a postage-paid shipping label in order to return material to the library.

Materials May Be Recalled at Any Time

Library materials that are on loan may be recalled at any time and must be returned directly to a UC Davis Library building. Borrowers who will be away from their mailing address for a week or more are advised to return library materials or make arrangements to ensure the prompt return of recalled materials.

Why Are Materials Recalled?

The UC Davis Library collections benefit the research, teaching and learning needs of users across campus. To maximize access to these shared resources, all on-loan materials are subject to immediate recall by a library unit or library user.

Recall Due Dates

Recalled material will be due within one week of the date of the recall, regardless of the original assigned due date. If the due date is already less than one week away, material must be received at the library or postmarked by that date. Recalled material must be received at the library or postmarked by the recall due date to avoid billing or suspension of library privileges.

Borrowers who fail to return recalled materials on time will be fined $5/day past due and have their library privileges suspended until the material is returned or the replacement bill is paid.