Borrow & Renew

Most items in the Library collections, with the exception of Special Collections and Archives materials, can be checked out by students, faculty, and staff with a valid SFSU ID. 

Borrowing for Non-SFSU Patrons

Non-CSU affiliated patrons and community users may be able to borrow items if they qualify for a Special Borrowers Card or by joining Friends of the Library (FOL). For more information see the Library Accounts & Cards page or contact circmail@sfsu.edu.

SFSU Borrowing Privileges at Other Institutions

While borrowing privileges at other institutions vary widely, your affiliation with SFSU may be useful in using other libraries. See the Borrowing Privileges at Other Libraries for more information. 

An SFSU faculty member with a valid SFSU ID may borrow circulating Library items from most of our collections for one year, with one additional renewal.

There is no limit on the number of items a faculty member may borrow at any one time; however, they must be returned or renewed when the maximum renewal allowance has been reached. It is expected that books needed for continual consultation will be purchased by a faculty member and the Library copy not be kept for ongoing personal use.

Faculty Proxy Borrowing

A faculty member may authorize one assistant or fellow faculty member with an active SFSU ID number to check out materials on behalf of the faculty. 

For any questions or to request proxy borrowing be set up please contact circmail@sfsu.edu or stop by the Book Checkout & Pickup Desk.

Many items from SFSU collections receive one automatic renewal, with no action needed on the part of the patron. Renewals may be limited if the renewal limit has been reached or a hold has been placed on it. 

Items borrowed through interlibrary loan may not be renewed. If an item is still needed beyond the 16 week loan period, request an a new copy of the item and switch the copies upon its arrival at the SFSU Library. 

For any questions regarding renewals or due dates contact circmail@sfsu.edu.

Items are considered overdue the day after the due date. 

The Library sends an email reminder two days before the due date of an item has reached its maximum renewals, with an additional reminder email sent on the actual due date if the item has not yet been returned. 

An overdue notice will be sent when an item is seven days overdue, and one final reminder at 21 days. When an item is 30 days overdue it is considered lost and a replacement fee placed on the Library account and sent to the Bursar's Office. 

Hourly and daily late fees are not charged for most items. Course Reserve items, laptop loans and other equipment, as well as other high use items may be charged late fees when they are returned past their due date and time. 

Note: late fees do not appear on the Library record until items have been returned and checked in. 

Course Reserve Late Fees

• $1.00 per hour per item for hour-based loans (2-hrs & 4-hrs)
• $1.00 per day per item for day-based loans (24-hrs & 48-hrs)
• Maximum Overdue Fee: $25.00 per item
• Damaged Item Fee: varies depending upon the degree of damage to the book
• Lost Item Fee: at least $60.00

Items are deemed lost 30 days after the due date. 

At that time, a lost item replacement fee is automatically charged, and a notice is sent to the email address in your library record. The fine is also sent to the Bursar's Office and can be paid through Gateway.

However, the replacement fee is waived in full when the item is returned to the Library and checked in. Please allow up to three business days for the fee removal to be processed and cleared. 

If the replacement fee has already been paid for and the item is returned, it may qualify for a refund. 

Please contact circmail@sfsu.edu for any questions regarding replacement fees or payments.

Lost Item Fees

• Library Book & Media Collections: at least $60.00
• CSU+: at least $90.00