How long can I borrow a library item?
Most books and scores may be checked out for a full semester, and most audio-visual materials may be checked out for three weeks. See the Mortensen Library or Allen Library borrowing policies for these and other policies.
General Policies
You must present a valid University ID card to borrow items from the Harrison Libraries.
Circulating items are due on the date indicated in My Account, regardless of whether the item bears a date-due stamp or has been stamped with an incorrect date. You are responsible for any items charged to your account.
If you need more time with your materials, you may be able to renew them:
- Online through My Account.
- In person at the appropriate library's circulation desk
- By phone (Mortensen–860.768.4264 or Allen–860.768.4491)
Important: If you have materials checked out over the summer, you will not be able to renew them past October until your account is updated and renewed (see Renewing Your Account, below).
For renewal limits, see the borrowing policies for Mortensen and Allen Libraries. Some restrictions apply.
If you cannot renew the items and cannot return them in person, we are willing to work with you! Please contact the appropriate library staff member:
Mortensen Library:
Taylor St. Pierre (tstpierre@d220149.com, 860.768.4397)
Allen Library:
Mike Anderson (mianderso@d220149.com, 860.768.4459)
All library user accounts must be renewed each year in order to update contact information. Once your contact information is confirmed, we will renew your account to October 1 of the following year. We can do this in person, over the phone, or by email.
Contact Us
Mortensen Library: 860.768.4264, libnotice@d220149.com
Allen Library: 860.768.4491, allenlib@d220149.com
Important: If you have materials checked out over the summer, you will not be able to renew them past October until your account is updated and renewed. Please contact us before renewing your materials.
We have reduced or eliminated daily overdue fines for most print and audio-visual materials. Limited circulation materials (e.g. course reserves, laptops) and lost/long overdue items may still incur fees.
How to Avoid Fees
Return your materials by their due date! Official due dates for your items are listed online in My Account.
If you need more time, renew your materials before the due date (see Renewing Materials, above).
How to Pay Fees
You may pay fees with cash or check (made out to the University of Hartford) at the appropriate library's circulation desk. Unfortunately, we do not have the capability to accept payments via credit/debit card or HawkCASH.
Daily/Hourly Overdue Fines
This is a summary only. See the borrowing policies for Mortensen and Allen Libraries for full fee details.
Students
- Books, scores, most audio-visual materials: None
- Limited circulation materials (e.g., reserves, laptops): $0.50-$5 per hour or day, max $10-$60 per item
Faculty and Staff
- Books, scores, most audio-visual materials: None
- Limited circulation materials (e.g., reserves, laptops): None
Alumni, Guests, and Other Users
- Books, scores, most audio-visual materials: None
- Limited circulation materials (e.g., reserves, laptops): $0.50-$5 per hour or day, max $10-$60 per item
Additional Policies
Items overdue by 45 days or more (2 weeks or more for equipment) accrue additional fees. See Long Overdue and Lost Items, below.
Unresolved or excessive overdue fees may be sent to the Bursar for collection at the discretion of the library.
You will not be able to take items out of the library if you have $20 or more of unpaid fines. In most cases, you can still use items inside the libraries.
If you lose an item or keep it until it is long overdue (45 days for most items, 2 weeks for equipment), you will be billed two additional fees:
- The cost of replacing the item
- A non-refundable $15 processing fee (This covers our efforts to retrieve, replace, and process the item.)
If you return a lost item, we will forgive or refund the replacement cost (up to one year after the billing date), but the $15 processing fee and any daily/hourly overdue fines will remain on your account.
See also Loss of Privileges, below.
We may send your fees to the Bursar for collection, at our discretion.
You may lose your library borrowing privileges if you:
- Accrue $20 or more in unpaid fines
- Fail to return materials
- Fail to follow Harrison Libraries Policies
In most cases, you will still be able to use materials within the library.
Some materials may only be used within the library. These items are typically in high demand, fragile, or are hard to replace due to rarity and/or cost. They include:
- Allen Library M2/M3 Collection (Collected Works)
- Archives
- Closed Stacks materials
- Course Reserves
- Journals & Periodicals
- Microfilm
- Newspapers
- Rare Books
- Reference materials
We may be able to grant a short-term loan of these materials if you need to remove them from the library for a curricular need. Please contact the appropriate librarian to make a request:
Mortensen Library:
Taylor St. Pierre (tstpierre@d220149.com, 860.768.4397)
Allen Library:
Mike Anderson (mianderso@d220149.com, 860.768.4459)
Borrowing from Other Libraries
Interlibrary Services
Borrow materials from libraries across the country.
BLC (Boston Library Consortium) Borrowing Program
Visit and borrow materials from libraries in the Boston Library Consortium, which include University of Connecticut, Wesleyan University, and over 20 other libraries located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
CCALD/CLC Reciprocal Borrowing Program
Visit and borrow materials from other academic libraries in Connecticut.
- University of Hartford students, faculty or staff may request a CCALD borrower's card at the Mortensen Library circulation desk that allows them to check out materials at the other participating institutions. Or you may use this form to apply online.
- Visitors from other participating institutions should obtain their CCALD cards from their own libraries before visiting the University of Hartford Libraries.