Borrowing Materials
The Library Building is closed. Many resources and services will be unavailable until regular building access resumes. For more information, please see our Library Resources and Services Available During Fall guide, or contact the Library using our 24/7 Ask a Librarian service.
Please click for updates on laptop availability, and returning laptops.
No need to worry about due dates, library fines or returning books while SF State and the Library remained closed for normal services. Due dates will be automatically extended.
Most of the 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. Use OneSearch, at the top of every Library page, to discover materials.
Books & Masters Theses
| Material Type | Students | Faculty | * FOL, Alum, etc. | Pick Up Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Collection Books | 16 Weeks | 1 Year |
30 Days (20 max) |
Some titles on 3rd Floor and 4th Floor. Request other titles from the LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| Theses | 16 Weeks | 1 Year |
30 Days (20 max) |
Browse on 4th Floor. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| CSU+ Items | 60 Days | 60 Days | N/A | 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| ILLiad Items |
Usually 28 days |
Usually 28 days |
N/A | 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| * Friends of the Library, Alumni Association members and other affiliated users must have a special borrowers barcode. | |||||
Notes
- Graduate Thesis Students and students finishing incompletes no longer request access from the Library. Access for thesis students and students with incompletes are now arranged with the University through the student's academic department or program. For more information, please see your advisor
- You can only check out items for yourself. You cannot check out items for others, nor can they check out items for you
Course Reserve Materials
Students may borrow articles and books put on course reserves from the Book Checkout & Pickup Desk. Items are also returned to this location.
| Format | Students | * FOL, Alum, etc. | Discover Using | Pick Up Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2, 24 or 48-hrs | N/A |
OneSearch Course Reserves; Search for Class or Instructor, Find Call Number, Provide to staff at 1st Floor - Book Checkout Desk. |
1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | ||
| Media | 4 hours | N/A |
OneSearch Course Reserves; Search for Class or Instructor, Find Call Number, Provide to staff at 1st Floor - Book Checkout Desk. |
1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| Electronic | Online in iLearn | N/A | Sign-in to course in iLearn | N/A | |
| * Friends of the Library, Alumni Association members and other affiliated users must have a special borrowers barcode. | |||||
Periodicals (Journals, Magazines, Newspapers etc. )
| Format | Students | Faculty | * FOL, Alum, etc. | Pick Up Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | 7 Days | 7 Days | 7 Days | Browse on 3rd Floor stacks. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| Bound | 16 Weeks | 1 Year | 30 Days | Request from LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| Microfiche & Microfilm | 7 Days | 7 Days | 7 Days | Some titles and viewers on 3rd Floor. Request other titles from the LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| * Friends of the Library, Alumni Association members and other affiliated users must have a special borrowers barcode. | |||||
Reference Items
| Location | Students | Faculty | * FOL, Alum, etc. | Pick Up Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Floor and 4th Floor | N/A | N/A | N/A | Library use only | |
| LRS | 4 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours | Request from the LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| * Friends of the Library, Alumni Association members and other affiliated users must have a special borrowers barcode. | |||||
DVDs, CDs, LPs, etc.
| Format | Students | Faculty | * FOL, Alum, etc. | Pick Up Location | Viewing & Listening |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DVDs | 4 Hours | 7 Days | 4 Hours | Media & Classroom Support, Ground Floor | Media Viewing / Group Study, 2nd Floor. |
| Videotapes | 4 Hours | 7 Days | N/A | Media & Classroom Support, Ground Floor | Media Viewing / Group Study, 2nd Floor. |
| Laser Discs | 4 Hours | 7 Days | N/A | Media & Classroom Support, Ground Floor | Ask at Desk, Ground Floor. |
| Films (16 mm) | 30 Days | 60 Days | 30 Days | Request from LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | Ask at Desk, 1st Floor. |
| Compact Discs | 30 Days | 60 Days | 30 Days | Request from LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | Media Listening, 1st Floor. |
| Phono Records | 30 Days | 60 Days | 30 Days | Request from LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | Media Listening, 1st Floor. |
| Audio Tapes | 16 Weeks | 1 Year | 30 Days | Request from LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | Media Listening, 1st Floor. |
| * Friends of the Library, Alumni Association members and other affiliated users must have a special borrowers barcode. | |||||
Printed Music
| Material type | Students | Faculty | * FOL, Alum, etc. | Pick Up Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music Parts | 16 Weeks | 1 Year | 30 Days | Some titles and viewers on 3rd Floor. Request other titles from the LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| Reference Scores M1-M3 (Monuments) | 16 Weeks | 1 Year | 30 Days | Some titles on 3rd Floor. Request other titles from the LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| * Friends of the Library, Alumni Association members and other affiliated users must have a special borrowers barcode. | |||||
Government Information
| Material type | Students | Faculty | * FOL, Alum, etc. | Pick Up Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government Publications | 16 Weeks / Some exceptions | 1 Year / Some exceptions | 30 Days / Some exceptions | Some titles and viewers on 3rd Floor. Request other titles from the LRS. Checkout on 1st Floor - Book Checkout & Pickup Desk | |
| * Friends of the Library, Alumni Association members and other affiliated users must have a special borrowers barcode. | |||||