Borrowing Materials from Member Libraries

Authorized users can easily request items located at one of the participating libraries. When you find materials in Summit that you need:

  • Choose the REQUEST ITEM option.
  • A window will appear for you to identify your institution, provide your name, ID number, and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) if your local library requires a PIN. (This will be the same PIN you may have already set up to view your circulation record at your local library. If you have never set up a PIN just leave the box empty and click submit. You will be requested to create a PIN.)
  • Choose the pick-up location. You may select a location at your own institution, or another location at one of the other member institutions.
  • Your request is forwarded immediately to the owning library and will be processed within 2 working days.

OR

  • Go to the library that owns the title
    • Borrowing policies may vary from one institution to another. Loan periods, fines, and other circulation policies for "visiting patrons" vary among institutions; you are bound by the rules of the library from which you borrow. Before you go to the other library, ask a library staff member at your home library about the Reciprocal Borrowing and other agreements between the libraries.
    • Contact information, hours, etc. are usually available from the library's Web page.
    • For information about using your identification (ID) card or number to check out materials, see Visiting Other Alliance Libraries.

Borrowers can monitor the status of Summit requests in the View Your Record option available through the member library catalog. Items that are ready for pick-up are marked RECV'D. Prior requests (not yet received) can also be cancelled from this option.

Borrowing policies for Summit include:

  • Must be currently enrolled student, or current or retired faculty or staff at a member institution.
  • Borrowing from Summit is free for authorized users.
  • Loan periods and renewals
    • Most items are checked out for 21 days with 1 renewal (renewed if there is no local or Summit hold on the item; check your patron record later to confirm whether the renewal was allowed).
    • Special materials such as videotapes and sound recordings may be available for a three-day or three-week borrowing period if the owning library elects to make this option available.
    • At CRL member institutions: CRL materials are checked out for 6 months.
    • Renewals: Items circulated for a three-week loan period may be renewed once, for an additional three weeks, if there are no holds (local or Alliance consortium) on the item.  Three-day items with no hold may be renewed once for three days. CRL items may not be renewed.
  • Returning materials: Materials borrowed through Summit can be returned to your library, the owning library, or any Alliance member library.
  • Fines: Overdue fines are determined by your library. Replacement costs and administrative fees will be charged for lost or damaged items.
  • Maximum allowed: Each authorized user can have up to a combined total of 200 Summit requests or checked-out items at one time.

Return to Help Menu   Return to Search

Last updated 8/22/2006