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
- CofC Faculty/Staff and SCDNR MRD affiliates – Six Months (180 days)
- CofC Students – Four Weeks (28 days)
- All Other Registered Library Users – 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
Journals may not be borrowed and should be used within the library. Articles can be scanned at the scan station.
Reprints
Reprints may be signed out overnight on the short-term check-out sheet located at the Service Desk by College of Charleston faculty and students in the marine biology graduate program, and by SCDNR/MRD personnel.
Reserve Items
Loan periods vary for reserve items. Ask at the Service Desk.
Reference Books
Reference books may not be borrowed and should be used within the library.
Maps and Atlases
Maps and Atlases may not be borrowed and should be used within the library.
Renewing Library Materials
A book may be renewed twice unless it has been placed on hold by another library user. Renewals must be done on or before the day the book is due. Books may be renewed by logging into your Discovery account. If books are not overdue, they may also be renewed by phone or email.
Holds
Books currently checked out may be placed on hold by another library user. 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 $60.00. Materials returned in damaged condition will be repaired, replaced, or retired at the Librarian’s discretion. The cost of the repair or replacement will be charged to the individual to whom the material was loaned when the damage occurred.
After Hours Use
College of Charleston marine biology graduate students and faculty, SCDNR MRD Charleston staff, NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory, and NIST Charleston staff may access the Marine Resources Library after regular business hours with their access card. The after-hours privilege is granted only to the access card holder and no other people should be allowed to enter on a single card. To locate materials within the library, refer to the library floor plan. For those with borrowing privileges, to check out books please complete the After-Hours Checkout Sheet, located at the service desk, for each book. If you need assistance, please contact the librarian by email.