Lending and Use Policy
This Lending and Use Policy defines the privileges and responsibilities of users who borrow or use materials from the University of Texas Libraries at The University of Texas at Austin.
It is the responsibility of the Libraries to make resources readily available for loan and library use to the greatest number of users.
Library Users
For a list of categories of users eligible to borrow library materials, see Loan Periods and Who Can Borrow.
In the interest of academic fairness, if a user’s primary role at The University of Texas at Austin is a student role; the student status takes priority over other roles.
Anyone may use materials from the open shelves within the library. Library access hours for the general public may be restricted; see the Libraries’ Hours page for more details.
Users who are eligible to borrow must present current University of Texas at Austin identification cards or University of Texas Libraries external borrower cards at time of check out. Checking out of library use only and closed stack materials may be granted if authorized by appropriate library staff.
User Responsibility
Users are expected to treat library materials and equipment in a responsible manner to preserve them and ensure availability for other users.
Users are responsible for returning materials by the date/time due. If no due time is specified, materials are due before the service desk closes on the due date. Materials are not considered “returned” until the materials are checked in by library staff at an appropriate service desk. In most libraries, the service desk closes fifteen minutes before the library closes. Return receipts are issued upon request. If a borrowed item is recalled, it will be due on the date stated in the recall notice.
UT Students must use their official University of Texas at Austin email address. University affiliates are responsible for maintaining current email addresses with the University. External users must maintain current email and physical addresses with the Libraries.
Release of User Information
The Libraries will not release the name or the UT EID of users who are using or have used library materials or services. The Texas Public Information Act (Sec. 552.124) exempts library records from open government provisions of Texas law and specifically prohibits the release of protected information. See also the American Library Association’s Core Values, including ALA’s Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records.
Loan Periods
For loan periods, see Loan Periods and Who Can Borrow.
Materials are due on the date or time indicated in the loan receipt email, as stated when borrowed, or as noted on their list of loans in My Library Account. The materials must be checked in by library staff by that date/time to avoid fines and/or blocks on the user’s account. When a specific time is not indicated, materials are due by the closing time of the service desk. In most libraries, the service desk closes fifteen minutes before the library closes. Materials returned after the posted closing time of the service desk may be checked in the next day the library is open and may incur fines.
Book returns are cleared at regular intervals during service desk hours. Materials returned to a book return (rather than a staffed service desk) may not be checked in before the service desk closes if that return has already been cleared for the day and may incur fines.
Requesting Materials
Users may request materials, including recalling materials checked out to another user, through the Pick It Up service. Library staff will send items to the service desk designated by the requestor for pickup. Library staff will use the most expeditious method for obtaining materials for a user, but users should be aware that requested materials are not paged instantaneously and should wait for an email notification that materials are ready for pick up. When an item is ready for pickup, the requestor is notified via email, and the item is held at the service desk for eight days. Please note that most limited circulation items are not eligible for requesting.
Users who are unable to locate materials that should be available on the shelf may request that library staff search for the materials on their behalf. They can make requests online through the Pick It Up service or in person at a service desk. Once located, the requestor is notified via email and materials are held for the requestor at the service desk for eight days. Materials for use only within a library or with other limited loan periods are not held, but the requestor is notified that they have been located and are back on the shelf.
Renewing Materials
For renewal limits and information on auto-renewals, see Loan Periods and Who Can Borrow.
Most collection materials are renewable online by logging into My Library Account or upon presentation at any service desk of the University of Texas Libraries. To avoid library charges, users are responsible for renewing with enough time before the due date to allow for in-person renewal if the online renewal option is unexpectedly not available to them.
Materials that have been requested/recalled are not eligible for renewal. Limited circulation items, course materials, and specially designated materials may be renewed only at the service desk from which they were checked out.
Recalled Materials
Users should be aware that items may be recalled from them at any time. Failure to return recalled items by their due dates will result in blocks on checkout privileges. Students and Courtesy Borrowers will also incur daily overdue recall fines.
Users may keep recalled materials for fourteen days from the original check-out date; however, materials recalled for Course Materials may be due immediately. When a recalled item is returned, the requestor is notified, and the item is held at the service desk for them for eight days. Limited circulation items are not eligible for recall.
Notification to Borrower of Overdue Material
Materials are due on the date or at the time indicated in the loan receipt email, as stated by library staff when borrowed, or as noted on the online renewal screen in My Library Account. If material is recalled, the new due date is shown in the recall notice, and the material must be returned no later than that date. The library is not responsible for notifying users that materials are overdue, but does send reminders and overdue notices as a courtesy. Failure to receive a reminder or overdue notice does not excuse the user from the responsibility of renewing or returning items by the due date and time.
For University of Texas affiliated borrowers, emails are sent to the official university email address. Borrowers are responsible for monitoring their email accounts for library notifications. Users will not be notified via telephone or postal mail.
Library Fines, Fees, and Item Costs
For fines, fees, and item costs, see Fines and Lost Items.
Penalties for Non-Payment of Charges
Unpaid overdue charges initiate a University financial hold. A financial hold in excess of $1,000 prevents students from registering. Financial holds may affect the timing and disbursement of financial aid awards. All financial holds prevent students from receiving their diplomas. Financial holds will not prevent students from ordering official transcripts.
For Courtesy and Special Borrower users, the library may refer unpaid library charges for non-returned materials to the sponsoring home library where the user obtained their card through reciprocal borrower agreements. Those sponsoring libraries may apply penalties as outlined by their policies. Courtesy and Special Borrowers may be blocked from further loan of UT Libraries materials until materials are returned or library charges are resolved.
Billing and Payment
Users receive statements of library charges or bills via email. Failure to receive the statement of charges or bill does not excuse the borrower from paying the bill. Outstanding charges are viewable in My Account through the Libraries’ webpage. Charges are due within 30 days of the billing date.
Library charges are transferred to the University's Office of Accounting and will appear in users’ “What I Owe” records.
Users may pay bills online or in person at Bursar (Cashier) Services.
Abuse of Library Privileges or Materials
Library privileges may be suspended for users who fail to abide by the provisions of this policy or who have unpaid library charges.
The Libraries may refer cases of irresponsible use of library materials or equipment to the appropriate administrative or legal authorities for sanctions. Irresponsible use includes, but is not limited to:
- allowing water, food, or other substances to damage items
- alteration, disbinding, or mutilation of materials or files
- deliberate misplacement within the library
- deliberately keeping materials known to be needed by others in order to gain an unfair academic advantage
- theft
Users who violate UT Libraries Building Use Policies may be denied further access to the Libraries.
August 2026