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Lending Policy for University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Contact Information:
Name: Laurie Thompson
Phone: (214) 648-2626
Fax: 
E-mail: Contact by Email

Limitations: The library's official access policy states: "Library resources are selected to support the educational, scientific, and clinical missions of the campus. Use of library resources is restricted to activities related to these missions." This policy is cited prominently in many places in the library. Faculty and graduate students of academic institutions have unlimited borrowing privileges with a maximum of 10 renewals. Undergraduate students and public library patrons are limited to three (3) items with a maximum of one (1) renewal. Privileges are suspended for failure to return materials by due date or to pay billed charges and do not include interlibrary loan or literature search services, borrowing of anatomical models or academic reserve materials, or remote access to electronic resources restricted by licensing agreements. Priority use of in-house computer equipment is guaranteed for students, staff, and faculty of UT Southwestern Medical Center and its affiliated institutions.

Eligibility: Individuals (18 years of age or older) are eligible to register for a UT Southwestern library card. A current TexShare card issued by a participating library in the TexShare Card Program is required. Bring your TexShare card to the library's Information Desk along with a valid photo ID (e.g., Texas driver's license). Copies will be made of all submitted documentation. All TexShare card holders are automatically assigned an expiration date. Faculty borrower cards are valid for a period not to exceed the expiration date on the TexShare card or August 31 of the current year, whichever comes first. Student borrower cards are valid for a period not to exceed the expiration date on the TexShare card or December 15, May 15, or August 15 of the appropriate semester, whichever comes first. Public borrower cards are valid for a period not to exceed the expiration date on the TexShare card or one year, whichever comes first.

Hours: The library is open for 101 hours per week, many of which are during evenings and on weekends. The safety of our clients during these times is of particular concern in a building that is open and unsecured. For that reason, the UT Southwestern Medical Center campus police routinely patrol the library. TexShare users may be asked by the campus police for identification and their purpose in the library. The library's regular hours are Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. - 12 midnight Friday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. - 10 p.m. Call or visit the library's Web site for holiday hours.

Card Availability:

Renewals: Renewal is available in person, by telephone, or online through the library’s online catalog, WebCat, for items not requested by another borrower.

Returns: Borrowers are responsible for materials they check out of the library until they are returned and are expected to return said materials by the due date. Return items to the south campus library. Drop-off bins are located outside the library and near the crosswalk on Inner Campus Drive. Materials may NOT be returned through interlibrary loan or by the Texpress courier service. Borrowers are encouraged to return items in person. If this is not possible, items should be mailed to the library (address provided below).

Overdues: The library is not responsible for notifying borrowers that materials are due. However, an overdue reminder is sent as a courtesy when materials are 10 days overdue, and a phone or email reminder is provided at three weeks overdue. At four weeks overdue, an invoice is sent for the replacement cost of non-returned items. Clients are responsible for the timely return of items even if they do not receive the reminders.

Recalls: Holds may be placed on circulating items. Items are not recalled. Items with holds cannot be renewed.

Non_Circ_Items: Reference, core collection, academic reserve, archival materials, anatomical models and journals do not circulate. LOANS POLICIES: Books and CD-ROMs circulate for two weeks; videocassettes and audiocassettes for one week. Faculty and graduate student borrowers may renew up to ten (10) times. Public and undergraduate student borrowers may renew one (1) time.

Loan Policies:

Fines: The library does not charge daily fines on overdue materials. If items are not returned by four weeks overdue, the borrower will be invoiced for the replacement cost of non-returned items, and borrowing privileges will be suspended. This includes a non-refundable $15.00 processing fee per item, which must be paid before privileges will be reinstated. Also, the library that issued the borrower's TexShare card will be notified that overdue materials and/or outstanding fines are currently charged to the borrower's account.

Lost Items: Non-returned books are billed a flat rate of $92.50 per book, videocassettes at $265.00 per tape, and audiocassettes at $25.00 each. All costs include the non-refundable $15.00 processing fee.

Billing: Bills may be paid at the library's Information Desk at all hours the library is open. Payments may also be mailed to the library (see the Returns section above for mailing address). Non-payment will result in client being barred from library privileges and notification to the library that issued the borrower's TexShare card.

Additional: