Policies |
Patrons are responsible for becoming familiar with library policies and procedures. Please address any questions to the library circulation staff.
Identification The USM Card, available at the USM Card office, is used as a library card. Students, Faculty & Staff are encouraged to obtain a USM Card. After obtaining the USM Card, it needs to be activated at the Circulation Department on any campus. Patron registration cards, for community patrons, are provided by Access Services on any campus. A library card must be presented to borrow materials. Library cards are not transferable.
Loan Periods, Renewals, and Overdue Policies
Complete list of Loan Periods, Renewals and Overdue Fees.
Requestor Function Material from other University System Libraries, the Maine State Library, Bangor Public Library, the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library and participating MaineCat Libraries may be requested directly online, without staff assistance, via URSUS. Materials will be sent to the library you choose. Items are generally received in 3-5 business days and will be held for you at the Circulation desk for 10 days.
Circulation does not notify you when an item arrives. You can, however, check the status of your request, by looking at Your Record, under User Services in URSUS. Once an item has arrived, the status of the book will change to Ready for pickup or MELNK RECVD. If an item has a status of In Transit, the item has been sent from the lending library and is on its way.
Requestor Loans Requestor material circulates to all patron types for 4 weeks with one two week renewal possible. Material must be returned to the owning library after the two week renewal and "requested" again if still needed.
Requestor material may be returned to any University of Maine System Library.
Requestor Charges Late charges will be billed to all patrons for overdue Requestor materials. Charges will be billed by the owning library, but may be paid at any University System Library.
| Fines | $0.50/day per item |
| Billed Book charge | $45.00 |
Lost/Damaged Material Patrons are responsible for items borrowed from the library on their library card and charges will be assessed for lost or damaged material.
Library Privileges Accumulation of unpaid library charges will result in suspension of borrowing privileges and access to certain databases.
Holds/Recalls Circulated items are subject to recall after two weeks. A new due date may be assigned. Overdue recalls are subject to fines of $1.00/day per item over and above other fines. Holds may be placed on circulated items. Items with holds may not be renewed.
If you would like to request a book that is currently checked out, please check URSUS & Maine InfoNet and if available at another location order from that location. If an items is not available from within URSUS or Maine InfoNet, please fill out an Interlibrary Loan Request.
Searches If an item with a status of "available" cannot be located, the circulation department will begin a search on the item. Please fill out a search card at the Circulation desk if you wish to be notified.
Lost/Stolen Library Cards Lost or stolen USM Cards must be reported and replaced by the USM Card Office.

















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