Borrowing Privileges

Anyone may come and use library materials for research. Students, faculty, and staff from other universities which Samford has a cooperative borrowing agreement with may checkout materials.

Check your eligibility by viewing the list of Cooperative Agreement Libraries, Other Libraries.

Checking Out Items

You may have up to 10 items checked out at one time.

To set up your library account we ask that you pay $1.00 for a library/copy card. You will also need to present current, valid identification at the at the Circulation Desk located on 1st floor (maps) of the University Library.

Both forms of valid identification are required:

  • Alabama Driver License or Alabama Non-Driver Identification Card
  • Current College or University ID from one of the Cooperative Agreement Libraries, Other Libraries

Renewing Items

Renewal privileges  are not extened to students, faculty or staff from other colleges and universities.

Due Dates and Renewals

Loan periods vary by the type of item that you check out. Use the table below to determine the loan period for your items:
Loan Periods for Special Patrons
Regular Circulating Books
and Printed Scores		 28 days
no renewal
Government Documents 28 days
no renewal
Multimedia:
CDs, Records, Videos		 7 days
no renewal
Reference, Periodicals No checkout

Overdues and Fines

Fines for overdue materials will accrue according to the following table
Overdue Fines
Regular Circulating, GovDocs, and Juvenile Books 20 cents per day per item; $10.00 maximum per item
MultiMedia 20 cents per day per item; $10.00 maximum per item

When materials are returned late and fines have accrued to $10.00 or more, the user is billed. Bills should be paid within 30 days and can be paid at the Samford University Library. In the event that bills are unpaid after 30 days, all Library privileges are suspended and students are barred from registration or graduation at their own University.

Lost or Damaged Items

When materials are not returned and become long overdue the user is billed for replacement cost and library privileges are suspended. If materials are not returned of paid for within 30 days of billing, the bill is referred to the University Bursar's office for collection. This action bars students from registration or graduation at their own university.

Replacement costs are as follows
Replacement Costs
In-print materials Replacement cost as listed in Ulrich's,
Whitaker's, etc. plus processing fee.
Out of print books Price listed by out-of-print book dealer, or average cost of Samford
Library titles purchased in the subject area plus processing fee.
Interlibrary Loan Interlibrary Loan services are not available for members of cooperative agreeement libraries. Please contact your own college or university library for assistance.
Other materials Original cost or actual cost of comparable item
plus processing fee.

Accounts may be cleared at the Samford University Library Circulation department by returning the items and paying the fines. Payment for materials found and returned within 90 days of payment will be refunded.