INFORMATION AND LIBRARY SERVICES

Book Borrowing & Delivery

Books from the Library Catalog

Who can borrow from the Library Catalog?

• In the Continental U.S.:
  • Current UMUC students, faculty and staff.
  • Alumni can borrow from UMUC, UMCP and UMBC. See Library Services for Alumni for details.
• Outside the Continental U.S.: Current faculty. (Students and staff, please see book options for overseas.)

How do I get a book from the Library Catalog delivered?

• Maryland residents:
  Use the Request feature in the library catalog and select a location for pickup. The book will be sent to that location and you can pick it up there when notified that it is ready. Locations include:
  • Any of the 16 USMAI libraries
  • UMCP Shady Grove Library and Media Center
  • UMUC Dorsey Station Center
  • UMUC Waldorf Center
  • PG Metro Center III (faculty/staff only) - Books can be sent via campus mail to your office.
    
    
• Residents outside Maryland in the continental US:
  Use the Request feature in the library catalog and select the UMUC Distance Ed - US location to have the book mailed to you. We will deliver the book, via UPS, to your home address as recorded in the MyUMUC Portal. Please be sure that this address is correct. Books cannot be delivered to P.O. Box numbers.
  
  
• Overseas Faculty:
  Use the Request feature in the library catalog and select the UMUC Distance Ed - Overseas location to have the book mailed to you. We will deliver the book, via USPS, to your APO or FPO address as recorded in the MyUMUC Portal. Please be sure that this address is correct.

How many books may I request from the Library Catalog?

You are not limited in the number of books you may request from the library catalog.

How long does it take to get the book?

• Maryland residents:
  Times can vary, but it usually takes 3 to 5 business days. You will be notified when the book is ready to be picked up at the location you specified in your request. You should pick it up within a week of getting notified.
  
  
• Residents outside Maryland:
  Times can vary, but expect delivery at least 1 to 2 weeks after you place a hold on the book.
  
  
• NOTE:
  Please be aware that if you have placed a hold on a book that is currently checked out, that book will have to be recalled from the current borrower, and this will cause a delay in receiving the book.

What is the loan period?

Loan periods are determined by the lending USMAI library and vary.   Books may be recalled by another borrower, shortening the due date.

Are there fines if I'm late?

You may be fined for overdue books, overdue recalled books, and/or books you lose. Fines must be paid to the institution that owns the book. You will receive a notice by mail or e-mail from the owning institution with information on how to arrange for payment. Please do not send payment for late fines to Information and Library Services.

How do I renew a Library Catalog book?

Use the MyAccount feature in the Library Catalog.

How do I return a Library Catalog book?

• Maryland residents:
  You can return the book to:
  • Any of the 16 USMAI libraries
  • UMCP Shady Grove Library and Media Center
  • UMUC Dorsey Station Library
  • UMUC Waldorf Center
    
    
• Residents outside Maryland:
  At least one week before the book is due (two weeks if you are overseas faculty), repack the book and use the return label we provided with the shipment. Please contact the Article & Book Delivery Team if you have any difficulties.

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Books from DocumentExpress (Interlibrary Loan)

When should I use DocumentExpress to obtain a book?

Use DocumentExpress to request books not available in the library catalog. UMUC will obtain the book from a library outside the USMAI library consortium. Note: DocumentExpress does not supply text books required for courses.

Who can use DocumentExpress?

• For books: Current students, faculty and staff in the continental U.S.
  
  
• For book chapters: All current UMUC students, faculty, and staff may request a book chapter (up to 20% of the book) or table of contents. We will attempt to scan them and deliver them over the Web.

How do I get a DocumentExpress book delivered?

• Residents in the Washington, DC area:
  When the book has arrived at UMUC, you will be notified by e-mail and given the following two choices:
  1. You can pick up the book at the ILS office, Room 2255 Student and Faculy Services Center in Adelphi, Maryland
  2. You can have the book delivered, via UPS, to your home address as recorded in the MyUMUC Portal. Please be sure that this address is correct. Books cannot be delivered to P.O. Box numbers.
     
     
• Residents in the continental U.S. outside the DC area:
  We will deliver the book, via UPS, to your home address as recorded in the MyUMUC Portal. Please be sure that this address is correct. Books cannot be delivered to P.O. Box numbers.

How many DocumentExpress books may I request?

• UMUC Undergraduates
  are permitted 20 DocumentExpress items per semester or eight-week term.  This includes books and electronically delivered book chapters and articles.
  
  
• UMUC Graduate Students and Faculty
  are permitted an unlimited number of DocumentExpress items per semester or eight-week term.
  
  
• UMUC Staff
  are permitted an unlimited number of DocumentExpress items, but these must be directly related to job responsibilities. DocumentExpress items for personal use are not accepted.

How long does it take the book to arrive?

On average, it takes 2 - 4 weeks for the book to arrive at UMUC. You will be notified by e-mail when the book arrives.

• Books held for pickup:
  If you choose this option, you should pick up the book within 10 business days after being notified that the book is available for pick up.
  
  
• Books that are mailed:
  Add 3 to 5 business days to the delivery time for books that get delivered via UPS to your home address.

What is the loan period?

Loan periods are determined by the lending library and may be subject to recall. Loan periods vary, but one month is typical.

Are there fines if I'm late?

Patrons who do not return materials within three weeks of the due date may be charged a $60 nonrefundable fee.

How do I renew a DocumentExpress book?

Log in to DocumentExpress one week before the due date and select Books You've Checked Out. Then click on the Transaction Number of the book. If renewal is allowed, you will see an option to Renew at the top of the screen. Some books cannot be renewed and ALL items are subject to recall by the lending library.

How do I return a DocumentExpress book?

• If you picked up the book at Adelphi:
  Return the book to the Library Services office, Room 2255, Student and Faculty Services Center in Adelphi, Maryland.
  
  
• If you received the book by UPS:
  At least one week before the book is due, repack the book and use the return label we provided with the shipment. Please contact the Article & Book Delivery Team if you have any difficulties.
  

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