Table of Contents:
Objective
Scope
Library Users
Loan period for borrower groups and limits
Reserve materials
Reference materials
Renwal
Recalls
Place on Hold / Reserve
Canceling reservations
Material restricted to "in library" use
Returning checked out materials
Viewing your circulation record
Overdue notices
Overdue Fines (Fine Schedule)
Lost/damaged material policy
Returning lost/paid items
Appealing library charges
Penalties
Responsibilities of borrowers

Objective:

• Make materials widely available to the YU Community
• Maximize use of collections and services
• Facilitate requests for materials
• Retrieve overdue materials
• Circulate materials quickly and efficiently.
• Maintain circulation records in an efficient manner.

Scope:
The policy applies to all users of all YU libraries.  It covers activities relating to the borrowing and use of library collections and services.  It sets:

• Borrowing privileges, responsibilities and restrictions
• A schedule of fines and fees.

Library Users:
Currently enrolled students, faculty and staff employed by Al-Yamamah University have full borrowing privileges through students and staff cards. Anyone may use the collections within the library. 

Authorized Users:

• University Bona fide / regular students
• University administrators, faculty and staff.

Other Users:

• Part time students should get a referral letter from the concerned director / head of the department for borrowing library materials.
• Visitors are welcome to make use of the library collection but they do not have borrowing privileges and all resources consulted must be used on site.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult / supervisor.

Library Card: Library users must have a valid ID card. Valid university ID cards serves as library cards. This should be presented at the circulation desk every time you borrow books or renew them.

The Circulation desk: Conducts the charge out and charge in of borrowed library materials, the placement of holds on library materials in circulation, the renewal of borrowed materials, payment of overdue fines, signing of clearances etc.

Loan period for borrower groups and limits:

Reserve materials:
Materials placed on reserve in the library are those items identified by an instructor for use by their students. Instructors may request library items to be kept on the reserve shelf for use by a particular class. Course reserve materials include library-owned materials and instructor-supplied materials (copies of articles, books, sample tests, etc.). Students may check to see if their instructor has placed items on reserve by searching the course reserve section in the library. Any photocopied materials placed on reserve must conform to copyright laws. Reserve materials should be read within the library.

Reference materials:
The reference section contains general reference books such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, yearbooks, handbooks, manuals, almanacs, and geographical sources. Reference books do not circulate and are for library use only except for special purposes and with the permission of the library director.

Renewal:
Renewals can be made by calling the library circulation desk at ext: 3805, in person at the circulation/enquiry desk or by accessing your account via online. One renewal is allowed. Books cannot be renewed if they are subject to recall or have outstanding fines.

Recalls:
The Library reserves the right to recall any piece of library material. Items required by another reader will be recalled and must be returned within 3 days of the recall date. Failure to do so will result in fines being charged at a rate of 50 halalas per day. The user from whom the material was recalled has the right to reserve it and to check the item out again later.

Place on Hold / Reserve:
You can place a hold on any item that is on loan to another borrower. When it is returned and available, you will be notified.

Canceling reservations: 
 If you no longer need a reserved item, you should cancel your request in person at the circulation/enquiry desk or by phone via extension -3805.

Material restricted to "in library" use:
Reference items and selected visual media (films, videos, etc.) and selected audio materials (CDs, cassettes, records, etc.), newspapers, university handbook, and maps are for in-library use only. Periodicals and course reserves are also restricted to in-library use only except for special purposes and with the permission of the library director.

Returning checked out materials:
Checked out materials must be returned to the library on the due date. Materials must be returned to the circulation desk before 4:00 pm. The circulation desk should be contacted if there are any questions/concerns.

Viewing your circulation record:
You may access your library circulation record online from any YU campus computer by clicking the local library search option located in the favorite’s folder. This function allows users to; check the status of a requested item, cancel an unwanted hold; renew materials; check to see how many items you have checked out, when items are due, and what fines you might owe.

Overdue notices:
The Library reserves the right to recall any piece of library material. Items which are kept beyond the due date are considered to be overdue. Overdue notices / reminders may be sent to borrowers as a matter of courtesy, although the library assumes no obligation to notify borrowers of overdue materials. Failure to receive reminders or overdue notices does not excuse borrowers from the responsibility of returning or renewing items on time to avoid penalties.  All library notices are sent via university-issued e-mail when possible.

Borrowing privileges are suspended and will not be reinstated until materials are returned, fines are paid or replacement costs and fines are paid if checked out materials are lost.

The Library has established the following fees for overdue circulating materials and replacement cost of lost or damaged materials/ books.

Overdue Fines (Fine Schedule):
You will be charged fines, if you do not return or renew your books. Fine calculations start on the due date and are payable after the grace period. Official time for determining fines on overdue books will be calculated according to the time logged in the computer system. You must ensure that any outstanding charges on your record remain below SR 50. You may not continue to borrow from the Library if your outstanding charges exceed this amount. Unpaid overdue fines will result in suspension of your borrowing privileges and clearance withheld unless fines are paid.

• Regular materials such as Books: SR 0.50 (fifty halalas per item per day).
• Recalled materials: SR 0.50 (fifty halalas per item per day).
• The maximum late fee per item is SR 50.
• The grace period is three days
• Your total late fee is based on the per-day fee, the number of items that are late and the number of days that they are late. Example: 50 halalas x 5 items x 2 days = SR 5.00

Lost /damaged material policy:
If materials are lost or damaged, notify the library at once; you will have to pay the full current replacement cost. The amount of the fine will be equal to the actual cost of the item plus any library handling / processing fee of SR100.

Returning lost/paid items: 
If items are found and returned, the replacement cost and processing charge are waived but the borrower is responsible for overdue charges.

Library users may be refunded the full amount paid towards item replacement costs if the complete item is found and returned in good condition within 30 days of payment. Refunds will not be made for items returned after 30 days.  Refunds will not be given for single parts of a set

Avoid fines by:

• Returning your items by the due dates
• Renewing your items before the due date. You can renew items yourself using the Library Online Catalogue, by asking library staff at the circulation desk to do it for you or by calling 224222 ext 3805 or 3803.
• You cannot renew an item if another borrower has placed a hold on it.
• Checking your e-mail for recall and change of due date messages.

Appealing Library Charges:
Any borrower who wishes to question a library charge or processing fee may appeal it by filling out a library charges appeal form. An appeal may be made to the Circulation Desk Staff. Please provide specific details about the charge(s) you wish to appeal. The decision for this appeal will be final. If possible, attach a copy of the library bill / statement. Please ensure that the charges you are appealing are clearly indicated. In your appeal, kindly explain why you believe the charges should be removed or adjusted.

The Borrower may submit a written appeal. Appeals for library charges must be received within 30 days of the original date of the charge.  Appeals made after 30 days will not be considered. If an appeal is accepted for consideration, the fine (in its original amount) will be waived, adjusted, or re-posted to the BORROWER's account at the end of the appeals process. Appeals received without the appeals form will not be considered.

Reasons generally not regarded as valid for canceling or reducing charges:

• Lack of knowledge of library policy
• Disagreement with library fine or fee structure
• Inability to pay fees and charges
• Material loaned to a third party
• Non-receipt or late receipt of library reminder notice
• Being out of town
• Forgetting the due date or failing to renew on time
• Term breaks, illness, leaves, vacations, exams, car problems, etc.

Penalties:

• The penalty for stealing books, periodicals, and other materials from the library is suspension of library privileges for the rest of the semester. Aside from this, the case will be referred to the University Disciplinary Committee for further deliberation and action.
• Mutilation of library materials is an offense and it will be considered as a damaged item. In addition, library privileges may be suspended for the rest of the semester. The case will also be referred to the disciplinary committee for further proper action
• Unpaid bills will result in a block for library privileges and the case will also be referred to the disciplinary committee for further proper action.

Responsibilities of borrowers:

• Borrowers are fully responsible for all borrowed materials and must know the due date to avoid fines.
• ID cards should not be used by other than yourself.
• Library materials are not transferable and you are prohibited from lending library materials to others.
• Borrowers must notify the library of any address and telephone number changes.
• The Library will charge fines on late items and other sanctions may be imposed.
• If you lose a book or it is stolen, you will have to pay the full current replacement cost.
• The Library has open stacks. After you have collected the material you would like to borrow, check the items out at the circulation desk.
• Overdue notices are mailed only as a courtesy reminder. Failure to receive notices does not absolve borrowers of their responsibilities.
• Compliance with current copyright laws is the responsibility of the user.
• Materials must be returned in the same physical condition as when they were checked out.
• The Library is not responsible for personal belongings. However, if you lose an item in the library and would like to know if it has been turned in; please call the circulation desk at 3805 (4800 or 4464 for the women's library)

For any further information regarding loans or reservations, library fines or overdue items, please contact the library staff at the circulation desk:  Library Assistant 3805.

 NOTE:   The Library’s policies and procedures regarding library fines, and loan periods are subject to review -and/or change by the Library, as deemed necessary.