Borrowing Library Materials
Faculty, students and staff associated with the College of Charleston and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Marine Resources Division may borrow materials from the library. Friends of the Library are also entitled to check out materials from MRL. Other patrons are welcome to use MRL’s resources within the library.
Patrons will be asked to show a valid I.D. before checking out books. If you are not certain of the privileges to which you are entitled, please consult a member of the library staff.
Loan Periods
- Books: Loan period varies. See chart below.
| CofC Faculty/Staff | Six Months (180 days) |
| SCDNR/MRD | Six Months (180 days) |
| CofC Undergraduate Students | Four Weeks (28 days) |
| CofC Graduate Students | Four Weeks (28 days) |
| All Other Patrons | Two Weeks (14 days) |
Please note: Books which have been checked out for two weeks or more will be recalled upon request. Books needed by a faculty member for reserve may be recalled at any time.
- Journals: Do not circulate except in rare cases with permission of the Librarian.
- Reprints: May be signed out overnight on the short-term check-out sheet located at the Circulation Desk by College of Charleston faculty and by students in the marine biology graduate program and by SCDNR/MRD personnel.
- Reserve Items: Loan period varies. Ask at the Circulation Desk.
- Reference Books: Do not circulate except in rare cases with permission of the Librarian.
- Newsletters: Do not circulate.
- Maps and Atlases: Do not circulate.
Renewing Library Materials
A book may be renewed twice unless it has been placed on hold by another patron. Renewals must be done on or before the day the book is due. Patrons may check their accounts and renew books on the Web version of the library catalog if they have a library PIN number. PIN numbers may be requested at the MRL Circulation Desk. If books are not overdue, they may also be renewed by phone.
Holds
Books currently checked out may be placed on hold by another patron. The book cannot be renewed and will be held for the requesting patron when it is returned.
Returning Library Materials
Recalls
Books which have been checked out for two weeks or more will be recalled upon request. Books needed by a faculty member for reserve may be recalled at any time.
Overdue Materials and Fines
An overdue notice will be sent one week after the item is due. Fines of ten cents ($.10) per day will be charged with a maximum of $10.00.
Lost/Damaged Items
Materials are assumed lost after they are 120 days overdue. The fee per lost book is $45.00 plus a $15.00 processing fee. Materials returned in damaged condition will be repaired or replaced at the Librarian’s discretion. The cost of the repair or replacement will be charged to the patron to whom the material was charged when the damage occurred.
After Hours Use
College of Charleston marine biology graduate students and faculty, SCDNR MRD Charleston staff, NOAA NCCOS Hollings Marine Laboratory, and NIST Charleston staff may access the Marine Resources Library after regular business hours gaining entrance with their access card. The after-hours privilege is granted only to the access card holder. To locate materials within the library, refer to the library floor plan. For those with borrowing privileges, to check out books please complete and submit the after-hours checkout form for each book. If you need assistance, please submit the ask the librarian a question form and the librarian will contact you the following business day.