For Community Members

The Lydia M. Olson Library welcomes the public to our temporary location in Gries Hall, offering access to various technologies in the library. Visitors using an Olson Library workstation will have access to our full database and journal subscriptions. Additionally, headphones are available at the Circulation Desk on the ground floor.

While the renovation project is underway, browsing for books and media will be temporarily unavailable. To request materials, please search our catalog and fill out the request form provided. Requests are typically processed within one business day, and a confirmation email will be sent once the materials are ready for pickup. Materials can be collected from the Circulation Desk at our temporary location in Gries Hall. The video below walks through the request process.

Community Borrower Card Program

What are the benefits? 

Community Borrower cardholders can borrow materials from the Lydia M. Olson Library’s circulating collections. Some restrictions apply. See below for items that are eligible for checkout.

What items are available for checkout?

General Items:

 Students & StaffFaculty, Graduate Assistants, NMU RetireesCommunity Borrower Cardholders
Books & Government Documents1 semester1 semester5 weeks
Media14 days14 days14 days
Journals & MagazinesNot eligible for checkout1 weekNot eligible for checkout
Reserve MaterialVariesVariesNot eligible for checkout
Locker1 semester1 semesterNot eligible for checkout
Rooms2 hours2 hoursNot eligible for checkout

Equipment Items:

 Students & StaffFaculty, Graduate Assistants, NMU RetireesCommunity Borrower Cardholders
Laptop Chargers24 hours24 hoursNot eligible for checkout
Phone Chargers24 hours24 hoursNot eligible for checkout
Camera & Tripods7 days7 daysNot eligible for checkout
Graphing Calculators24 hours24 hoursNot eligible for checkout
Flash Drives7 days7 daysNot eligible for checkout

Interlibrary Loan and MeLCat privileges are not extended to Community Borrowers but may be available through local public libraries.  

Most electronic resources are not available offsite to Community Borrowers due to license restrictions but are accessible via Olson Library workstations.

Who Qualifies?

  • Any Upper Peninsula resident aged 14 years or older
  • NMU Alumni
  • NMU graduate students working on a thesis, but not currently enrolled
  • Members of the NMU Board of Trustees
  • Upper Peninsula primary and secondary educators

What is the Cost?

The Community Borrower card has an annual fee of $25. The $25 fee will be waived for the following groups:

  • NMU Alumni
  • Military veterans and active duty personnel
  • Applicants under 18 years of age
  • Currently employed Upper Peninsula elementary and secondary educators
  • Members of the NMU Board of Trustees

How Do I Apply?

Applicants must present a current Michigan driver’s license or state-issued identification card, or two pieces of identification showing place of residence. Applicants under the age of 18 must have a parent present at the time of application.

The Community Borrower membership is valid for one year. Membership may be renewed in person or by contacting library staff via phone at (906) 227-2250 or email at library@nmu.edu.

Terms of Agreement

Community Borrower cardholders, or the parents/legal guardians of cardholders under the age of 18, assume full financial responsibility for all library materials checked out on their accounts. This includes overdue fines, fees, and replacement costs for any overdue, lost or damaged items. Cardholders agree to adhere to all NMU policies and regulations. Olson Library reserves the right to refuse to issue or renew a Community Borrower card or cancel a current card if these policies are not observed.

Privacy

Olson Library does not provide anyone but the cardholder with records identifying library usage. Olson Library does not restrict access to materials or equipment to patrons of any age. Olson Library faculty and staff will not assume the responsibility of determining what materials are appropriate for minors, nor will they place any restrictions on materials accessed with a minor’s card.

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