Borrowing and Renewals
FAQs
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.
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.
Our most popular materials are available to browse and borrow from the stacks in Harden Hall. Some lower-use or specialized physical items are stored off-site and must be requested in advance. To determine an item’s location, search the library catalog and review the location information listed near the bottom of the item record.
Requesting items from storage
- NMU-affiliated patrons should log in to their Library Account.
- Search for the desired item, and select Request from within the Get It section of the item record.
- Provide any relevant information and select Send Request to submit.
- Community Borrowers and others may search the library catalog and submit a request using the provided request form.
Requests are typically processed within one business day. A confirmation email will be sent when materials are ready for pickup at the Information Services Desk on the second floor of Harden Hall.
The video below walks through making a material request.
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.
General Items:
| Students & Staff | Faculty, Graduate Assistants, NMU Retirees | Community Borrower Cardholders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books & Government Documents | 1 semester | 1 semester | 5 weeks |
| Media | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days |
| Journals & Magazines | Not eligible for checkout | 1 week | Not eligible for checkout |
| Reserve Material | Varies | Varies | Not eligible for checkout |
| Locker | 1 semester | 1 semester | Not eligible for checkout |
| Rooms | 2 hours | 2 hours | Not eligible for checkout |
Equipment Items:
| Students & Staff | Faculty, Graduate Assistants, NMU Retirees | Community Borrower Cardholders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop Chargers | 24 hours | 24 hours | Not eligible for checkout |
| Phone Chargers | 24 hours | 24 hours | Not eligible for checkout |
| Camera & Tripods | 7 days | 7 days | Not eligible for checkout |
| Graphing Calculators | 24 hours | 24 hours | Not eligible for checkout |
| Flash Drives & Hard Drives | 7 days | 7 days | Not eligible for checkout |
There is no limit to the number of NMU-owned material that can be checked out to you.
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.
Overdue Fines
| Books & Media | No late fines |
|---|---|
| Equipment, Lockers, Conference Rooms, Reserve Items | $0.60 per hour or $10 per day, Maximum $100 per item $25 for replacement locker or conference room key |
| Recalled Items | Fines are doubled for recalled items |
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.
| Item considered "Lost" and account charged | Replacement cost becomes nonrefundable | |
|---|---|---|
| Books, Government Document, Media, Journal/Magazine, Equipment & Reserve Items | 30 days overdue | 10 days after billing date |
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.
General Items:
| Students & Staff | Faculty, Graduate Assistants, NMU Retirees | Community Borrower Cardholders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books & Government Documents | 1 semester | 1 semester | 5 weeks |
| Media | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days |
| Journals & Magazines | Not eligible for checkout | 1 week | Not eligible for checkout |
| Reserve Material | Varies | Varies | Not eligible for checkout |
| Locker | 1 semester | 1 semester | Not eligible for checkout |
| Rooms | 2 hours | 2 hours | Not eligible for checkout |
Equipment Items:
| Students & Staff | Faculty, Graduate Assistants, NMU Retirees | Community Borrower Cardholders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop Chargers | 24 hours | 24 hours | Not eligible for checkout |
| Phone Chargers | 24 hours | 24 hours | Not eligible for checkout |
| Camera & Tripods | 7 days | 7 days | Not eligible for checkout |
| Graphing Calculators | 24 hours | 24 hours | Not eligible for checkout |
| Flash Drives | 7 days | 7 days | Not eligible for checkout |
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.