Circulating materials are those library resources which patrons may borrow for use outside the library for a specified period of time.
Circulating materials include books (excluding reference works and reserve materials),audiovisual materials, Italian-American Cultural Center books, and interlibrary loans. Different patron types have various degrees of access to circulating materials.
Non-circulating materials are library resources which patrons must use in the library. Non-circulating materials include reference books, periodicals (journals and magazines) and reserve items.
Library Cards
Alvernia University students, faculty, and staff use their Alvernia IDs as their library cards. You must present this card whenever you want to check out materials. You will be held responsible for all materials checked out on your card, including any unauthorized use until the library has been notified that the card is lost or stolen. You will also be charged for any lost or damaged materials.
Loan Periods
The loan period for circulating books is one semester. Faculty may renew circulating books once for an additional semester. Renewals are not automatic. The library usually extends renewal privileges to patrons; however, if during the previous borrowing period another patron has requested a particular book, that book will not be renewed but will be held for the other patron.
Other types of materials such as audiovisual materials have varying loan periods and generally may also be renewed once if no one else has requested the item.
Renewals
Items may be renewed once, either in-person, online, or by phone. Best Sellers may not be renewed. To renew online, log into Library One Search and view the My Loans link at the top left of the page.
Recalls
If a faculty member needs an item currently checked out to place on reserved, the library may place a recall on the item. The original borrower must then return the item to the library.
Overdues
Faculty/staff are not charged fines for overdue materials. Items more than 1 month overdue are considered lost. Patrons with a lost item will not be allowed to check out materials and will be charged the replacement cost of the item.
College Libraries
Alvernia University students, faculty, and staff are entitled to borrowing privileges at a number of area college libraries. Patrons must present a valid Alvernia ID to register for a library card at a participating institution. Patrons are bound by the rules of the individual circulating libraries. Participating libraries include:
Penn State
Alvernia University patrons may apply for a library card entitling them to borrowing privileges upon presentation of a current and valid Alvernia ID card.
Public Libraries
Alvernians may obtain library cards from the libraries in the ALIN (Advanced Library Information Network) system. Member libraries include: Berks County Public Libraries, the Reading Public Library, Reading Area Community College, and the Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA). Patrons are bound by the rules of the individual circulating libraries. Public libraries can also provide great study space.
