Frequently Asked Questions

Community Borrower Program

Community borrower cardholders may borrow materials from Olson Library, with some restrictions. For full details, see the Community Borrower Program.

Holds and Recalls

You may place a hold on most library materials, except for lockers, equipment, and course reserve items.

To place a hold:

1. Log in to your NMU Library Account.
2. Search for the item in the catalog.
3. Click Request in the Get It section of the item’s record.

If the item is checked out, a hold will reserve it for you when it is returned. If the item is available, library staff will place it on the hold shelf. You will receive an email when the item is ready for pickup.

Held items remain on the hold shelf for 10 days.

General Items

Students & Staff

• Books and government documents: 1 semester
• Media (DVDs, CDs, etc.): 14 days
• Journals and magazines: Not eligible for checkout
• Reserve materials: Varies
• Lockers: 1 semester
• Rooms: 2 hours

Faculty, Graduate Assistants, and NMU Retirees

• Books and government documents: 1 semester
• Media: 14 days
• Journals and magazines: 1 week
• Reserve materials: Varies
• Lockers: 1 semester
• Rooms: 2 hours

Community Borrowers

• Books and government documents: 5 weeks
• Media: 14 days
• Journals and magazines: Not eligible for checkout
• Reserve materials: Not eligible for checkout
• Lockers: Not eligible for checkout
• Rooms: Not eligible for checkout

Equipment Lending

Students & Staff

• Laptop chargers: 24 hours
• Phone chargers: 24 hours
• Camera and tripods: 7 days
• Graphing calculators: 24 hours
• Flash drives and hard drives: 7 days

Faculty, Graduate Assistants, and NMU Retirees

• Laptop chargers: 24 hours
• Phone chargers: 24 hours
• Camera and tripods: 7 days
• Graphing calculators: 24 hours
• Flash drives and hard drives: 7 days

Community Borrowers

• All equipment: Not eligible for checkout

Borrowing Limits and Request Policies

There is no limit to the number of NMU-owned items you may borrow.

Limits do apply to materials requested through MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan. For details on request maximums, please refer to the MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan borrowing policies.

Materials Available for Checkout

Lydia M. Olson Library offers a wide range of materials for checkout to support research, coursework, and academic success. Available items include books, government documents, media, journals, and course reserve materials.

Students, faculty, and staff may also borrow equipment such as laptop and phone chargers, calculators, flash drives, cameras, and tripods. Lockers and study rooms are available to eligible users. Some materials are restricted based on borrower type.

MeLCat & Interlibrary Loan Services

Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and interlibrary loan provide access to materials beyond the Lydia M. Olson Library collections. MeL is a statewide library service that offers access to shared resources for Michigan residents. Interlibrary loan allows patrons to request books, articles, and other materials from participating libraries when those items are not available locally. These services are available at no cost to NMU associated patrons, Community Borrowers can find similar services at Peter White Public Library in downtown Marquette, or at their local library. Learn more about MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan programs.

Renew NMU Materials

You may renew eligible items online by logging in to your library account. Select individual titles—or choose Select All—and then click Renew.

If an item is overdue, you may request renewal using one of the following methods:

• Email: library@nmu.edu
 Include your first name, last name, and middle initial.
• Phone: 906-227-2250
• In person: Visit the Circulation Desk at Lydia M. Olson Library in Harden Hall

Renewal guidelines:

• Renewals must be requested on or after the item's due date.
• Items that have been placed on hold by another borrower or have been recalled cannot be renewed.
• Equipment, lockers, conference rooms, and course reserves are not eligible for renewal.
• NMU faculty and staff may renew materials for a maximum combined renewal period of 24 months.

Read more about making MelCat and Interlibrary Loan renewals

Renewals

• Books, government documents, and media may be renewed, unless the item has been placed on hold or recalled by another user.
• If a book is checked out for more than 2 consecutive years, you will be asked to bring the book in to renew it in person at that point.
• Equipment, lockers, conference rooms, and course reserve items are not eligible for renewal.

To learn about renewing materials from other libraries, visit the page on MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan renewals.

Overdue Fines

Most books and media do not accrue late fees. However, fines apply to equipment, lockers, conference rooms, reserve items, and recalled materials.

Fine Structure

• Books and media – No late fines
• Equipment, lockers, conference rooms, and course reserve items
  • $0.60 per hour or $10 per day
  • Maximum fine: $100 per item
  • $25 fee for lost locker or conference room keys
• Recalled items – Fines are doubled

To request a review of charges, please submit a request through the fine appeal form.

Lost Item Charges and Replacement Costs

Library items are considered lost when they are more than 30 days overdue. At that point, your account will be billed for the full replacement cost of the item, along with a non-refundable $15 processing fee. The billing date is the date the charge is applied to your account.

There is a 10-day grace period following the billing date. If the item is returned within this period:

• The replacement cost will be refunded.
• Standard overdue fines will be applied.
• The $15 processing fee will not be refunded.

If the item is returned after the 10-day grace period, it is considered a gift to the Library. You may request a letter acknowledging your donation at the time of return. Please note that fines and processing fees are not refundable.

To appeal a charge, submit a request through the fine appeal form within 15 days of the billing date. You will receive a response within two weeks.

The Lydia M. Olson Library reserves the right to suspend borrowing privileges. Registration, diplomas, and transcripts may be held until all borrowed materials are returned and outstanding fines or fees are resolved.