Library FAQs

While age is not always a concern with fictional works, it is very important for works of non-fiction. We want our students to use current and accurate information. While the discipline dictates what is current, we ask that our patrons donate only works of non-fiction that are less than ten years old.

If we don’t have the item you need, you can request physical and electronic resources from other libraries using our MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan services.

Community Borrower Card

Community Borrower cardholders can borrow from our library collection with some exceptions. Please see details of the Community Borrower Card program.

We have limited space and usually retain only one copy of a work. Please check OneSearch to determine if we already own the title. If we do, then the material should not be donated.

Most magazines, journals, etc. are now available online and our collections are emphasizing that format. We are usually unable to accept print journals. If it is an uncommon journal title or one local to the region, please check our holdings. We will consider those issues we do not own or have access to.

Renewing NMU material

Login to your library account. You may click Select All or click the appropriate checkboxes. Click Renew.

Overdue item renewals may be requested:

• By email - library@nmu.edu (include first name, last name and middle initial)
• By telephone - 906-227-2250
• In person 

Renewals should be requested on or after the item's due date. Items on hold or recalled cannot be renewed. Equipment, lockers, conference rooms, and reserve items cannot be renewed.

Renewing MeLCat items

Renewing Interlibrary Loan items

The library's temporary location at Gries Hall will not have publicly browsable collections. During the renovation, requests for materials must be made in advance. NMU affiliated patrons can start by logging into your Library Account, searching for a particular item, then click on the "Request" link within the "Get It" section of the item description. Fill in any information that may be pertinent to your request and click "Send Request". The video below walks through making a material request.

Requests will typically be fulfilled within 1 business day, and a confirmation email will be sent out once your item is ready to be picked-up from the Public Service Desk, on the first floor.

Students, faculty, and staff need a current NMU ID card to borrow materials. 

Community Borrowers may make request for materials through this request form. 

Thank you for considering a donation to the Lydia M. Olson Library! For monetary donations, find more information on how you can support us through giving. For physical material donations, please contact Professor Bridger Wilson

Holds and Recalls

Holds can be placed on any item with the exception of lockers, equipment and reserve items. In the library catalog, search for the desired item. Click "Request" in the "Get It" section. Remember to log into your account to access this option.

If the item is currently checked out to another patron, a hold will reserve it for you once the item is returned. If the item is available, Circulation staff will place it on the hold shelf for your convenience. You will receive an email notification when the item is available on the hold shelf. It will remain on the hold shelf for 10 days. 

A recall will reset the due date for the item to five days from the date the recall was placed. Items are eligible for recall two weeks after the original check-out date or a renewal date. Fines for late recall items are double the typical rate. Recalls can only be placed by library staff.

1. Visit MeLCat.
2. Search MeLCat by title, author, ISBN or other criteria.
3. After finding the desired item, click “Get this from MeLCat.”
4. You will be prompted to select a library account. Choose Northern Michigan University as your library.
5. Enter your name and the barcode on the back of your NMU ID (14-digit number).
6. Please do not click your browser’s back button after submission because this may duplicate your request.

To place an Interlibrary Loan request, login to your Interlibrary Loan Account. Select "Create Request." Click the appropriate Request Type: Article, Book, Other. Complete the citation fields with as much information as possible.

General Items:

Equipment Items:

Arrival time varies for each request. Articles typically arrive within 2-5 business days. Books and other physical formats typically arrive within 3 weeks.

MeLCat items typically arrive within 1 to 2 weeks.

There is no limit to the number of NMU-owned material that can be checked out to you.

MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan maximum request information

If you are requesting an article or book chapter, a PDF will be sent to your email address. If you are requesting physical material, an email notification will be sent when the material is available for pick-up at the Circulation Desk.

You will be notified via email when the item arrives. Materials may be picked up at the Circulation Desk. The item will be available for pick-up for 10 days.

Materials that are moldy, musty or smoky smelling, have covers or pages missing or have highlighting or notes written in them are not candidates for donating.

Lockers may be checked out at no charge for a full semester by NMU faculty, staff, and students.

See the Locker Rental Policy for details.

You are always welcome to ask for a renewal to extend the due date; however, the owning institution may approve or deny the renewal request. To request a renewal:

1. Log in to your Interlibrary Loan account with your NMU username and password.
2. Each request will have its own line of information. Find the request you seek to renew. 
3. Following the relevant row, click renew.
4. You will receive an email with the approval or denial decision.

You may renew each item once. This will extend your due date by 28 days.* Media items may not be renewed.

Renew the items prior to the due date using the following instructions:

1. Log in to MyMeLCat using your Name and the barcode on your NMU ID (14-digit number).
2. Click the link for currently checked out items.
3. You may select “Renew all” or click the appropriate checkboxes and click “Renew selected."

*If your initial loan was 90 days, as part of the MeLCat pilot program between Michigan public academic libraries, you will have the option of extending your due date by 30 days.

Overdue Fines

If you would like to appeal a fine, please fill out the fine appeal form.

Depending on the type of item, after a set number of days, we consider the item lost and charge you the replacement cost of the item and a non-refundable $15 processing fee. The date you are charged is known as the billing date. There is a grace period before all charges become non-refundable. If the item is returned within the grace period, the replacement cost will be refunded and late fees will be assessed; however, the processing fee will not be refunded.

If the item is returned after the replacement cost refund deadline, the item is considered a gift to the library. You may request a letter acknowledging your gift at the time you return the item. Fines and processing fees are non-refundable.

If you wish to appeal charges, you must do so by submitting a Billing and Fine Appeal form within 15 days of the billing date. You will receive a response within 2 weeks.

The Lydia M. Olson Library reserves the right to suspend a patron’s borrowing privileges. Registration, diplomas, and transcripts will be held until all materials are returned and/or all fines are paid.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that supports NMU’s research and scholarship. We borrow books, reports, journal articles and other material not owned by the Lydia M. Olson Library. We will do our best to locate the material anywhere in the world.

MeLCat (Michigan Electronic Library Catalog) is a service that allows Michigan libraries to share materials for free. If NMU does not own the material you seek, you may take advantage of the collections throughout Michigan. MeLCat items typically arrive faster than Interlibrary Loan (ILL) so we recommend utilizing it first.

MeLCat requests are free of charge*.

*However, if you lose, damage or fail to return the material, you will be charged fees.

Interlibrary Loan requests are free to charge*. 

*However, if you lose, damage or fail to return the material, you will be charged fees.

A MeLCat item is due 28 days* from the date you pick it up. Media items are due 14 days from the date of pick-up. Items will be available for pick-up for 10 days.

*MeLCat is piloting a program to increase the loan period when Michigan public academic libraries are borrowing from each other. For example, if you borrow a book from Michigan State University, the loan period will be 90 days with the option for a 30 day renewal.

The loan period varies based on the institution that owns the material. The due date will be posted on the material itself and also in the email notification. All material is subject to recall at any time.

General Items:

Equipment Items:

Renewals

• Books, government documents, and media can be renewed indefinitely unless the item is on hold or recalled.
• Equipment, lockers, conference rooms, and reserve items cannot be renewed.

Learn about MeLCat & Interlibrary Loan renewals.

Review our gift policy, If appropriate also review the archives gift policy to determine if your materials are a good fit for our collections.

MeLCat is best for physical formats such as books, DVDs, CDs, etc.

You may request any format through ILL.

Please contact Professor Bridger Wilson, Collection Management Librarian, at (906)-227-1205 or ebridger@nmu.edu, to make arrangements or to answer questions regarding donating physical materials to the library (Books, DVDs, CDs, etc.).

NMU students, faculty and staff

As an NMU student, faculty or staff, you are eligible to use MeLCat with Northern Michigan University as your home library. If you live in Michigan but are not eligible through NMU, please contact your local public library to determine your eligibility.