At the Circulation / Course Reserves Desk patrons can check out SDSU Library books, check out print course reserves, pick up requested Circuit and Interlibrary Loan materials, place requests for bound periodicals not found on the shelf, pick up requested Compact Shelving material, contact the Library Security Guard, and check the Library's Lost and Found. Circulation / Course Reserves Staff are also available to answer questions about renewing materials online, requesting materials checked out by another patron, and paying overdue fees.
- Who Can Borrow Materials?
- Library Catalog (The PAC)
- Course Reserves
- Borrowing Materials from Other Libraries
- Library PIN
- My Library Record
- Loan Periods & Renewals
- Courtesy Notices
- Overdue Fines
- Paying Library Fines
- Requesting Checked-out Library Materials
Who Can Borrow Materials?
All SDSU faculty, staff, and students can borrow library materials. Community members and local businesses can apply for guest or corporate borrower cards for an annual fee. See the Borrowing Privileges at the SDSU Library for more information.
Library Catalog (The PAC)
The Library Catalog (the PAC) is a searchable database containing information about the majority of the library's circulating holdings. Use it to discover what books, media, and other materials the library has available for your use.
Course Reserves
The Library holds books, periodicals, and supplemental course material on course reserve for faculty across campus. Students can check most of these books and periodicals out for loan periods determined by the course professor, at the Circulation / Course Reserves desk. To locate course reserve material, visit our Course Reserves Page.
Library PIN
For security reasons, the SDSU Library requires you to have a PIN (personal identification number), in addition to your SDSU identification number, to access and use a variety of electronic library services including Circuit, and Interlibrary Loan.
You can create your own library PIN by using the "My Library Record" option in the Library Catalog (the PAC). A PIN can contain up to 30 alpha or numeric characters. Try to develop a PIN you will remember. If you have problems creating or using your Library PIN, please contact the Circulation / Course Reserves Desk.
My Library Record
Patrons can view what books they have checked out, check the status of their holds, and other requests, renew books, and modify their PINs via My Library Record in the Library Catalog (the PAC).
Loan Periods & Renewals
Loan Periods and the number of renewals a patron is permitted vary according to patron, material, and location types. Patron type is defined by your affiliation with SDSU , (i.e. undergraduate, graduate, or faculty, etc.) You must present a valid SDSUcard (University Picture ID) when borrowing library material. Library materials can be renewed online, via My Library Record.
For books, loan periods and the number of renewals allowed to each patron type are generally:
Status | Loan Period | No. of Renewals |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Students | 28 Days | 3 |
Masters Students | 84 Days | 3 |
Staff | 112 Days | 3 |
Faculty | 183 Days | 1 |
Doctoral Students | 183 Days | 1 |
Research Affiliates | 28 Days | 2 |
Typical loan periods for other library materials, regardless of patron classification, are:
Material Type | Loan Period | No. of Renewals |
|---|---|---|
Media (CDs, DVDs, VHS, etc.) | 4 days | 1 |
Media Reserves | 4 hours | 0 |
Media Equipment | 4 hours | 0 |
Special Collections materials | 0 Days | 0 |
Print Course Reserves | Varies | 0 |
Loan periods for Circuit and Interlibrary Loan materials vary depending on each service and the lending institution. These materials can be recalled at any time. They can be renewed online via My Library Record or Interlibrary Loan. Contact the Circulation / Course Reserves Desk with any questions. All renewals for these materials must be approved by the lending institution.
System | Loan Period | No. of Renewals |
|---|---|---|
Circuit | 28 days | 2 |
Interlibrary Loan | Varies | Varies |
Courtesy Notices
The Library makes every effort to contact patrons with important information regarding their library account, but cannot guarantee receipt of e-mailed reminders, hold pickup notices, overdue notices and bills. E-mail providers often protect their customers from spam and phishing attempts by filtering out automated notices. Please check your library record for current information by going to ‘My Library Record’ on the library’s homepage.
Overdue Fines
Fines for library material vary according to department and material type. Fines range from $0.25 per day for most books checked out from the general collection, to $1.00 per hour for Course Reserves. Schedules of fines are posted at most check-out points in the Library.
Lost SDSU library materials are billed at $52.46 per item. Lost San Diego Circuit books are billed $140.00. For Interlibrary lost books, the charge is $98.00. If you have questions regarding overdue fines inquire at the Circulation Desk when you are checking out the material.
Students may pay library charges on-line through the SDSU Cashier's Office by going to www.sdsu.edu/sfs. Payments can also be made by mail, or to the 24-hour dropbox located outside the Cashier's Office, Student Services West Building Room 2620. Faculty and Staff may pay lost material charges at the Circulation Desk.
ITEM TYPE | FINE |
|---|---|
Books | $0.25 / day |
Circuit | $1.00 / day |
Media Materials | $1.00 / day |
Course & Media Reserves | $1.00 / hour |
Bound Periodicals | $1.00 / day |
Reference | $1.00 / day |
Paying Library Fines
For San Diego State Students, overdue fees can be paid 24 hours after library material has been returned. Payment can be made on-line via the Student Financial Services website. Payment may also be made at the Cashier's Office in Student Services West (see campus map.)
For non-matriculating students who do not have an account online at the Financial Services website (Faculty, Staff, Mutual Use Students, College of Extended Study Students, Alumni, and Guests) payments must be made by Cash (Exact Amount) or Check at the library circulation desk.
Requesting Checked-Out Materials
If the book you need is checked out, you can request that it be held at the Circulation / Course Reserves Desk for you when it is returned to the library. Requests are placed through the Library Catalog (the PAC), by selecting "Request / Hold" at the top of the screen. When your requested item has been returned and is ready for pickup, you will be notified by e-mail or mail. The item will be held at the Circulation / Course Reserves desk for eight days. When an item is unavailable patrons should also consider using Circuit or Interlibrary Loan to obtain it.
The Library cannot page items from the Library Stacks. Items listed as "Not Checked Out" in the Library Catalog (the PAC) must be retrieved by the patron. If you cannot locate an item that should be on the shelf, you may place a request for the item from any computer within the Library by clicking the ‘Request/Hold’ button. Holds cannot be placed on ‘available’ material from computers outside the Library.
