3.1 Who can borrow material? Is there a limit to how much stuff I can take out?
Currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff, as well as alumni and community patrons, can borrow material. Consult our circulation policies for additional information.
Students, including graduate students, and community patrons may have no more than 99 items checked out to their account at any one time. There is no limit to the number of items faculty and staff may borrow.
3.2 How long can I keep my stuff?
Borrowing periods differ for faculty and staff, students, and community members. To learn what policy applies to you, consult our circulation policies.
3.3 Can I check out something other than a book?
Yes. Bound periodicals and audio/visual material circulate. Consult our circulation policies to see how long you may keep the items.
3.4 The book I need is already checked out. What can I do?
You have two options:
Use the Simultaneous Search/UBorrow feature in PILOT to request the item from another state system library. You will probably receive the item faster this way.
Place a hold on the item. Placing a hold means that whenever the item is returned, it will be held for you.
Ask a librarian if you need help in determining which option best suits your needs.
3.5 Where can I get a list of books I have checked out?
Click on the MyAccount option in PILOT. Here you can see what books you have checked out, what requests you have pending, and if you have any fines or fees. You may also renew books here and save PILOT searches to your account.
3.6 You don’t have the book I need. What do I do?
Use Simultaneous Search/UBorrow, EZBorrow, or ILLIAD (Interlibrary Loan services). The book will be sent here to the library, and you will receive either a phone call or an e-mail letting you know it has arrived. You can then pick it up at the circulation desk.
Times vary as to how fast it can get here, but allow about a week. You can track your UBorrow requests through the MyAccount link in PILOT and your EZBorrow requests through the EZBorrow system. For help with your Interlibrary Loan requests, please contact Susan Hanna.
3.7 What’s the difference between UBorrow, EZBorrow, and Interlibrary Loan?
UBorrow brings you books from the fourteen State System of Higher Education libraries as well as the State Library of Pennsylvania. You may check the books out for 28 days plus one renewal.
EZBorrow allows you to borrow books from libraries within Pennsylvania and a few bordering states. Books check out for 28 days plus one renewal.
Books obtained from Interlibrary Loan can come from any library in the United States. Circulation times vary depending on the lending library.
To search for needed books, you should start with UBorrow. If the book can’t be found there, next try EZBorrow. If the book still can’t be found, put in an Interlibrary Loan request.
3.8 I ordered a book through Interlibrary Loan. How do I know if it’s come in?
You will receive either a phone call or an e-mail letting you know that it has arrived. You should pick the book up at the circulation desk.
3.9 How do I renew a book?
You can renew books by calling the circulation desk (570-484-2309), bringing the books to the library, or through your account on-line. To access your account, click on the MyAccount link within PILOT.
3.10 What’s the deal with overdue fees?
To learn about overdue fees, please consult our circulation policies.
