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Circulation

Everything you need to know about borrowing and renewing library materials, including loan limits for different types of users, how to renew materials, and course reserve information.

Borrowing

The circulation policies for University Libraries follow below. The desk where you borrow materials is called the Circulation Desk and is located to the left just inside Waterfield Library’s front door. You will need your student ID. If you have forgotten your ID, you can ask for items to be held briefly at that desk until you can return with it. Items that can be borrowed:

Main Collection

  • Books & maps available on Waterfield Library's Lower Level
  • Items are checked out at the Circulation Desk on the Main Level 
  • Circulation Limits:
    • Undergraduate: up to 50 books for 28 days
    • Graduate: up to 50 books for 120 days

Media Collection

  • All items available in the Media Room on Waterfield Library's Main Level
  • Media items are checked out at the Circulation Desk
  • Circulation Limits:
    • Up to 10 items for 21 days (all users)  

Reference Collection & Children's Preview

  • All items available in the Reference Room on Waterfield Library's Main Level
  • Circulation Limits:
    • 3 days for Reference (all users)
    • 21  days for Children's Preview (all users)

Periodicals

  • All items available in the Periodicals section on Waterfield Library's Upper Level
  • Circulation Limits:
    • 3 days (all users)

Course Reserve materials

  • Items may be checked out for a limited time
  • Items on reserve for instructors available at the Circulation Desk

Game Collection 

  • Available in the Waterfield Lobby 
  • Circulation Limits:
    • Up to 2 items for 7 days (all users)

Laptop Computers

  • May be checked out for 4 hours
  • in-library use only

Anatomical Models

  • ​Items are available at the Circulation Desk.
  • Items may be checked out for 4 hours
  • in-library use only

Calculators

  • ​Available at the Circulation Desk.
  • May be checked out for either 3 days or until the end of the term. 

Makerspace Equipment

  • Available in the Makerspace on the lower level of Waterfield Library
  • In-library use only

Items that may not be borrowed

  • Periodicals from Pogue libraries
  • Pogue Library -- Special Collections (Under special circumstances, see the director.)
  • Pogue Library -- Overby Law Library Collection (Under special circumstances, see the director.)

 

Course Reserve Materials

Reserves are materials set aside by your teachers for the entire class. These items are available for check out at the Circulation Desk during normal working hours. There are three (3) ways to access your instructor's reserve material: by instructor's name, department, and course number. After locating the appropriate materials visit the Circulation Desk to check out the material. Materials includes books, audio and video cassette tapes, DVDs, compact discs, CD-ROMs, and photocopies of periodical articles or chapters of books. All items on reserve are kept at the Circulation Desk in Waterfield Library and may circulate for limited loan periods during normal working hours.

The circulation policies for University Libraries follow below. The desk where you borrow materials is called the Circulation Desk and is located to the left just inside Waterfield Library’s front door. You will need your Murray State ID. If you have forgotten your ID, you can ask for items to be held briefly at that desk until you can return with it. Items that can be borrowed:

Main Collection

  • Books & maps available on Waterfield Library's Lower Level
  • Items are checked out at the Circulation Desk on the Main Level 
  • Circulation Limits:
    • Faculty/Staff: up to 100 books for 120 days

Media Collection

  • All items available in the Media Room on Waterfield Library's Main Level
  • Media items are checked out at the Circulation Desk
  • Circulation Limits:
    • Up to 10 items for 21 days (all users)  

Course Reserve Materials

  • Items may be checked out for a limited time
  • Items on reserve for instructors available at the Circulation Desk

Reference Collection

  • All items available in the Reference Room on Waterfield Library's Main Level
  • Circulation Limits:
    • 21  days (all users)

Periodicals

  • All items available in the Periodicals section on Waterfield Library's Upper Level
  • Circulation Limits:
    • 21 days (all users)

Game Collection 

  • Available in the Waterfield Lobby 
  • Circulation Limits:
    • Up to 2 items for 7 days (all users)

Laptop Computers

  • May be checked out for 4 hours
  • In-library use only

Anatomical Models

  • ​Items are available at the Circulation Desk.
  • Items may be checked out for 4 hours
  • In-library use only

Calculators

  • ​Available at the Circulation Desk.
  • May be checked out for either 3 days or until the end of the term. 

Makerspace Equipment

  • Available in the Makerspace on the lower level of Waterfield Library
  • In-library use only

Items that may not be borrowed

  • Periodicals from Pogue libraries
  • Pogue Library -- Special Collections (Under special circumstances, see the director.)
  • Pogue Library -- Overby Law Library Collection (Under special circumstances, see the director.

Eligibility Guidelines for Complimentary User Cards

Complimentary User Cards are issued to qualified residents of the region who are NOT students or employees of Murray State University. The following general guidelines determine eligibility for complimentary user cards:

  • A legal resident of Kentucky 18 years of age, who is not enrolled in high school, may apply for a library card. Legal residents in specified counties of states bordering western Kentucky may also apply for a card. 
  • A proper form of identification must be provided by the applicant (i.e. a valid driver's license).
  • An application form may be obtained and submitted at the Waterfield Library's Circulation Desk.
  • Students enrolled at other Kentucky public universities and colleges and Murray State extended campus students may be issued complimentary user cards.
  • High school students ARE NOT issued complimentary user cards but are welcome to make use of materials within the library. High school students who have a special need to take materials out of the library should make arrangements.

Circulation Policies for Complimentary Card Patrons

  • ID cards are validated for six-month periods and may be revalidated when brought to the Circulation Desk.
  • A maximum of ten (10) items may be charged to a patron.
  • The charge-out period is three (3) weeks. At the end of that time an overdue reminder is mailed out. After an additional 15 days, a final notice is mailed. The item is subsequently declared lost and reported to the MSU Bursar's Office with its replacement charge.
  • A complimentary user holding library with a "lost item" status shall have borrowing privileges suspended until such time as the "lost item" is returned or the replacement charge has been paid. The replacement charge for a "lost item" is $30 or the actual cost if higher.
  • Under normal circumstances, library material may be renewed twice, the first time via telephone. Phone renewals may be made to 270-809-4990, Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm.