Borrowing Policies

Borrowing privileges for University of Guelph students, faculty, staff, professors emeritus/ emerita, and visiting scholars

Borrowing privileges for Open Learning non-degree students

Borrowing privileges for retirees

Borrowing privileges for University of Guelph alumni, & community members

Borrowing privileges for reciprocal borrowers

Returning items

How to pay fines

Lost item charges

Suspended borrowing privileges

Account disputes

Theft and vandalism

Borrowing privileges for University of Guelph students, faculty, staff, professors emeritus/emerita, and visiting scholars

Your University of Guelph or University of Guelph-Humber ID card is your library card.

If you are in a distance education degree program, please see our distance education support. 

Visit the Ask Us Desk to validate your card.

The Omni search tool will give you access to the University of Guelph Library collection, and the collections of over a dozen other Ontario university libraries.

Check My Library Account to renew your books and check your account status.

Borrowing books

• You may borrow up to 500 books.
• The loan period is 120 days.
• You can renew books online by phone, or in person at the Ask Us Desk.
• You can place a request for most books in Omni.
• Recalled books cannot be renewed.
• Overdue fines are charged on recalled books.
• When you receive a recall notice, you have 7 days to return a recalled item to any Omni library without penalty. Fines will accrue after 7 days.
• Recalled books accrue a $4/ day fine, to a maximum of $56 per item, if not returned within 7 days of recall notice.
• After 14 days the recalled item will be declared lost. You will be assessed a replacement charge.
• You have a 30 day grace period from the due date to renew or return an item before the item is declared lost and replacement charges are incurred. This does not apply to recalled items.

Borrowing DVDs, videos, and CDs

• The loan period is 14 days.
• These items cannot be renewed.
• Portable DVD players and headphones are available to borrow at the Ask Us Desk for in-library use.
• Vinyl records do not circulate.
• Instructors can learn more about booking DVDs or Videos for classroom use.
• You cannot place requests on these items.
• Items may be recalled by the library. Overdue recalled items accrue a $10/day fine, to a maximum of $100.

Borrowing course reserves

• Course reserves are intended for students enrolled in the course.
• The loan periods are 4 hours, 1 day, or 3 days, depending on the item.
• When there are multiple copies of a 4 hour loan book, one copy may be available to borrow on an overnight (1 day) loan.
• Renewals of 4-hour loan items may be possible if a second 4-hour loan reserve copy is available.
• To renew course reserve materials, please bring item to the Ask Us Desk.
• Course reserve materials are permitted to leave the McLaughlin Library building.
• Requests for course reserve materials are not permitted.
• As a courtesy to other students, please return course reserve items on time, or before they are due if you are finished with them.
• Overdue fines on most course reserves accrue a 5 cents/ minute fine to a maximum of $100.
• Overdue fines on 3-day course reserves accrue a $20/ day fine, to a maximum of $100 per item.
• Learn more about using course reserves.

Borrowing from the Gryph Reads collection

• The Gryph Reads Collection is a collection of popular fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, video games, and movies.
• The loan period is 21 days.
• Browse the Gryph Reads Collection online.

Borrowing items from Omni libraries

• You can place a request for books and other physical items (not online items) available at the University of Guelph Library or at any Omni library.
• 120-day borrowing period applies.
• The book will be shipped to the pickup location you selected.
• You will be notified by email when the item is ready to be picked up.
• If the item is not picked up within the time specified in the email you receive, the item will be shipped back to the owning-library.

Interlibrary loan

• Use this free service to obtain items not in the Omni network. Some items may incur a cost. You will be notified if a charge applies.
• This service is not available to retirees.
• Overdue fines accrue at $1/ day, with no maximum.
• Learn more about interlibrary loan.

Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement

• You may borrow some materials in-person from participating Canadian university libraries.
• This service is not available to retirees.
• Learn more about the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement.

Borrowing privileges for Open Learning non-degree students

This section pertains to students enrolled in Open Ed continuing education, Open Learning Programs, or English Learning Programs.  

• Use your single sign on credentials to access online materials. 
• You will need a library card to borrow books in person from the library. Contact info@OpenEd.uoguelph.ca to obtain a library card. New library cards need to be activated at the Ask Us Desk in the library. Please keep your library card, as it will be activated each time you register for a course. 
• The Omni search tool will give you access to the University of Guelph Library collection.
• Borrowing from other Omni libraries and interlibrary loan is not available.

Borrowing privileges for University of Guelph retirees

• Retirees who opt to retain their uoguelph email address maintain their affiliation with the University of Guelph and therefore retain their library privileges with the same rights and responsibilities they had as employees.
• The Omni search tool will give you access to the University of Guelph Library collection.
• Borrowing from the course reserve collection, other Omni libraries, and interlibrary loan is not available.

Borrowing books

• You may borrow up to 500 books.
• The loan period is 120 days.
• You can renew books online, by phone at (519) 824-4120 x53618, or in person at the Ask Us Desk.
• Recalled books cannot be renewed.
• Overdue fines are charged on recalled books.
• When you receive a recall notice, you have 7 days to return a recalled item to any Omni library without penalty. Fines will accrue after 7 days.
• Recalled books accrue a $4/ day fine, to a maximum of $56 per item, if not returned within 7 days of recall notice.
• After 14 days the recalled item will be declared lost. You will be assessed a replacement charge.
• You have a 30 day grace period from the due date to renew or return an item before the item is declared lost and replacement charges are incurred. This does not apply to recalled items.

Borrowing DVDs, videos, and CDs

• The loan period is 14 days.
• These items cannot be renewed.
• Portable DVD players and headphones are available to borrow at the Ask Us Desk for in-library use.
• Vinyl records do not circulate.
• Instructors can book DVDs or Videos for classroom use.
• You cannot place requests on these items.
• Late fines accrue a $1/ day fine, to a maximum $100 per item.
• Items may be recalled by the library. Overdue recalled items accrue a $10/day fine, to a maximum of $100.

Interlibrary loan

• This service is not available.

Borrowing privileges for University of Guelph alumni & community members

• Learn more about alumni and community member library privileges.
• The Omni search tool will give you access to the University of Guelph Library collection.
• Borrowing from other Omni libraries and interlibrary loan is not available.

Borrowing books

• You may borrow up to 20 books.
• The loan period is 21 days.
• You can renew books online or in person at the Ask Us Desk.
• Recalled books cannot be renewed.
• Overdue fines are charged on recalled books.
• When you receive a recall notice, you have 7 days to return a recalled item without penalty. Fines will accrue after 7 days.
• Recalled books accrue a $4/ day fine, to a maximum of $56 per item, if not returned within 7 days of recall notice.
• After 14 days the recalled item will be declared lost and you will be assessed a replacement charge.
• You have a 30 day grace period from the due date to renew or return an item before the item is declared lost and replacement charges are incurred.

Borrowing DVDs, Videos, and CDs

• Library use only
• Portable DVD players and headphones are available to borrow at the Ask Us Desk for in-library use.
• You cannot place online requests for these items.

Borrowing course reserves

• Course reserves are not available to alumni and community members.

Borrowing from the Gryph Reads collection

• The Gryph Reads Collection is a collection of popular fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, video games, and movies.
• The loan period is 21 days.
• Browse the Gryph Reads Collection online.

Interlibrary loan

• This service is not available.

Borrowing privileges for reciprocal borrowers

• Visit the Ask Us Desk with your valid student card to activate a reciprocal borrowing account.
• For more information, see the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement.

Borrowing books

• You may borrow up to 20 books.
• The loan period is 21 days.
• You can renew books online or in person at the Ask Us Desk.
• You cannot place online requests for books.
• Recalled books can not be renewed.
• Overdue fines are charged on recalled books.
• When you receive a recall notice, you have 7 days to return a recalled item without penalty. Fines will accrue after 7 days.
• Recalled books accrue a $4/ day fine, to a maximum of $56 per item, if not returned within 7 days of recall notice.
• After 14 days the recalled item will be declared lost and you will be assessed a replacement charge.
• You have a 30 day grace period from the due date to renew or return an item before the item is declared lost and replacement charges are incurred.

Borrowing DVDs, videos, and CDs

• Library use only
• Portable DVD players and headphones are available to borrow at the Ask Us Desk for in-library use.
• You cannot place online requests for these items.

Borrowing course reserves

• Course reserves are not available to reciprocal borrowers.

Borrowing from the Gryph Reads collection

• The Gryph Reads Collection is a collection of popular fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, video games, and movies.
• The loan period is 21 days.
• Online requests are not permitted.
• Browse the Gryph Reads Collection online.

Returning items

Please return your books to the bins located at the back of the library.

• You can return items from the Omni network to any Omni library. Some items may only be returned at the University of Guelph, you will know if this is the case.

How to pay fines

Fines can be paid in-person with debit, Visa or Mastercard or over the phone using Visa or Mastercard. Contact us.

Lost item charges

Lost items will incur the following charges:

• $25 non-refundable administration charge.
• $125 replacement charge.
• Any fines accrued.

Suspended borrowing privileges

You will not be able to borrow items from any Omni library if:

• You have 1 overdue recalled item.
• You have $20 total in charges or fines.
• You have 1 or more course reserves item(s) overdue.

Account disputes

To appeal your fines or replacement fees, email the Access Services Coordinator at library@uoguelph.ca.

Theft and vandalism

Theft and vandalism of library materials are subject to prosecution. Cases are referred to the Campus Police for action.