Borrowing Materials
This page is about borrowing and renewing books and other physical items from the Library. For information about borrowing a laptop or other equipment, see the Laptop Checkout page.
Most items in the Library collections, with the exception of Special Collections and Archives materials, can be checked out by students, staff and faculty. Valid SF State ID required. Community users and other patrons may be able to borrow items if they qualify for a Special Borrowers Card or by joining Friends of the Library. For more information check Borrowing Materials [rename], and for loan periods see Library Services by Patron Type.
While borrowing privileges at other institutions vary widely, your affiliation with SF State may be useful in using other libraries. See the Borrowing Privileges at Other Libraries for more information.
Faculty Borrowing Information
A faculty member of SF State, with a valid OneCard/SF State ID, may borrow circulating books and Masters Theses in most of our collections for one year. Faculty from other universities may also qualify for borrowing privileges.
There is no limit on the number of books a faculty member may borrow at any one time; however, they must be returned or renewed when they become due. It is expected that books needed for continual consultation would be purchased by a faculty member and not provided by the Library. Books from most of our collections may be renewed by faculty once for a second year. (Learn more about renewals.)
Faculty Proxy Borrowing
A faculty member may authorize one assistant, for a one-semester period, to borrow materials from most Library units for the faculty member's use. To request proxy borrowing be set up please contact circmail@sfsu.edu or stop by the Book Checkout & Pickup Desk on the 1st Floor.
Renewing Materials
Most materials from the Library collection can be renewed by logging into to your Library Account. Renewals may be limited if the renewal limit has been reached or a hold has been placed on it.
Items borrowed through CSU+ may not be renewed.
See the Renewals page for more information, and for any questions regarding renewals or due dates contact circmail@sfsu.edu.
Overdue Items
Items are considered overdue the day after the due date. Many items are automatically renewed one time after the initial loan period. We will send an email reminder to the email address in the library record two days before the due date if an item will not be renewed automatically. You may also sign in to your Library Account in OneSearch to check your due dates and renew items, if available.
Late Fees
Hourly and daily late fees are not charged for most items. Course Reserve and other high use items may be charged late fees when they are returned past their due date and time.
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
Lost Library Items
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.
Lost Item Fees:
- Library Book & Media Collections: at least $60.00
- CSU+: at least $90.00