Login to My Library Account to see renewals, checkouts, holds, overdue items and fines. For information about borrowing materials not owned by Penn State, visit our Interlibrary Loan web pages.
How to borrow
- Items at any Penn State campus --> Click "I want it" on the items you find in the Libraries Catalog
- Items not owned by Penn State --> Use Interlibrary Loan
- Laptops and equipment --> Technology & Equipment
- Penn State World Campus students --> World Campus & Distance Researchers
- University Park faculty and staff --> Office Delivery Service
How long can I borrow?
| Item | Students, faculty and staff | Penn State alumni and visitors |
|---|---|---|
| Books | 1 semester | 4 weeks |
| DVDs | 14 days | 14 days |
| E-ZBorrow | 12 weeks | N/A |
How to Return
Return books and Interlibrary Loan materials to any University Libraries' book return locations:
- Pattee/Paterno: East entrance on Curtin Road (and inside the building next to the Circulation Desk) or at the Collaboration Commons entrance, ground floor of West Pattee
- Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library, 111 Stuckeman Family Building
- Earth and Engineering Sciences Building, West Campus
- Earth and Mineral Sciences Library, Deike Building lobby
- Hetzel Union Building (HUB), ground floor, west entrance
- Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library, 201 Davey Lab
If you're at another campus location, use Ask a Librarian to see how to return materials at your campus library.
Library Fines
| Item | Fine/Maximum | Cost after Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Course Reserves | $2/hour, $100 max. | After 10 days: item cost + $100 + $25* |
| Special Loans | $3/day, $15 max. | After 30 days: item cost + $15 + $25* |
*$25 processing fee
Questions about My Library Account
"I've already returned this item - why did I receive an overdue notice?"
First, check the date and time that the notice was sent. It's possible that the notice was sent before you returned the item. You can also check your current list of checkouts at My Library Account. If the item does not appear on that list, it has already been removed from your account.
If you believe that you received an overdue or bill notice for an item that you've returned, complete the online Claim Returned Form to initiate a library staff search.
"I have a question about a bill."
Questions about library bills can be referred to your local Penn State library or submitted through our Bill Question Form. Please be sure to supply as much information as possible.
Why did my hold fail?
A "Hold(s) Failed" message may appear after clicking "I Want It" if no copy of an item is currently available for loan. Try placing an interlibrary loan request (Illiad) or contact us for more information.
"Why was my hold expired?"
You will receive a notice that your hold has expired if the library cannot supply a copy of the item on which you placed an "I Want It" hold in the CAT. Holds may expire because items are missing from library shelves or are requested by instructors for course reserve. You can try the following to find another copy:
- Request the item through Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad) (Penn State students, faculty and staff only).
- Check the CAT again and place another hold if another copy is available. We may purchase additional copies of high demand materials, or items that were missing may have been found.
- Try your local public library
Do you know you can receive library notices via text message?
Just update your phone number in the "Update Address" area of My Library Account and your profile in ILLiad, and we will text you the library notices.