Access, use, and reproduction of the electronic journals, databases, and other resources made available through the Grinnell College Libraries are governed by contracts or license agreements between the College and publishers or third parties. In many cases, license agreements impose greater restrictions on use than does copyright law, and these terms may limit uses of non-copyrighted material. Members of the Grinnell College community are expected to make reasonable and good faith efforts to comply with the terms of these agreements. For further information, please see License Agreements and Academic Computer Use Policies (pdf)

Library materials that circulate outside the building must be checked out using your Pioneer One Card. You must present your student ID to library staff to check out library materials, including reserve readings. You are responsible for all materials checked out on your card, so it's not a good idea to check things out for other people, or to lend what you have borrowed to others. The library will notify you by e-mail when books have been recalled, when interlibrary loan materials are ready for pickup, when items you have are overdue, and for other library-related matters. Be sure to check your e-mail every day.

Do not take material out of the library without checking it out. Not only does this inconvenience other students and faculty by depriving them of its use, but also it is an act of theft under the Code of Iowa, chapters 714.5 and 808.12. Taking non-checked-out material through the library security gate constitutes theft and the College reserves the right to prosecute offenders under the terms of this law, as well as to deal with violations through the college judicial system.

Books checked out from the library are generally due at the end of the current semester. All books checked out will be subject to recall; that is, the loan period of the item will be shortened and the book will be due and subject to late fees based on an earlier date. A complete list of library material types and their loan times is available on the library website at www.lib.grinnell.edu/services/circulation/borrowing-student.

Keeping materials too long is inconsiderate and inconveniences other people. The table below shows the fines you will accumulate if you don't return materials on time. Please remember the collection belongs to the college community and needs to be accessible to everyone.

Should library materials become lost, please let us know as soon as you discover that an item is missing. You keep looking for it and we will too. If it doesn't show up by the end of the semester, you will need to pay a replacement cost plus $25 to help defray the costs of processing and billing. The sooner we know the material is missing the better the chance of finding it and avoiding the replacement cost.

Unreturned materials will incur replacement, processing and billing costs. If the materials billed are returned in good condition within one semester, the charges will be reduced to $5 per item. If the materials are returned after the charge has been deducted, a portion of the charge may be refunded after negotiation with the Associate Librarian of the college.

Students may have their circulation privileges blocked after overdue notices have been sent. They will remain blocked until all overdue items are returned to the library. If necessary, a student who refuses to comply with library policy may incur additional sanctions, including but not limited to restrictions on the use of library services and/or referral for judicial action.

If there is an unusual circumstance, talk with the library staff. Contact the Circulation Desk Supervisor at ext. 3350 and explain what's going on. But do it before the fines start accumulating!