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Borrowing

Books and other materials can be borrowed from the Health Sciences Library with a valid borrowing card.

Books and other materials, including equipment, can be borrowed from the University Library (i.e., Mills, Innis, and Thode).

Many of our services have been altered as a result of COVID-19. Please read our FAQs for more information.

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Overview

Your McMaster photo ID card is your library borrowing card. The 14-digit barcode is what you need to borrow books and other material. For students, this is your student ID card. For Faculty and staff, this is your employee photo ID card.

What’s on Loan

  • Books
  • DVDs & Videocassettes
  • Theses

Loan Periods

Unless on reserve, all items can be borrowed for 120 days.

Renewals

With the exception of items that have been recalled or are on reserve, all items can be renewed online or in person at the Service Desk. Most borrowers are allowed a maximum of two online renewals per item. Exceptions to this regulation apply to General Public, Mohawk, and Alumni borrowers. See below for specific details.
RecallsIf an item is checked out, you can recall it. You will receive an email notification requesting you to return a book if another user has recalled it.

Notifications

You will be sent a notice by email for:

  • Holds
  • Recalls
  • Overdues
  • Replacement billing
  • Fines

All email messages will be sent to the McMaster University email address (@mcmaster.ca) currently appearing in our records for each patron.

If you are using another email service, such as LearnLink or MedPortal, we advise that you have your @mcmaster.ca emails forwarded to these accounts.

It is your responsibility as a borrower to keep the University/Library informed of your current address and email address. Students should use MOSAIC to update this information. Non-receipt of notices does not relieve you from suspension of borrowing privileges and book replacement charges.

Conestoga/Mohawk BScN Program

Card

Your barcode is printed on your student card.

Borrowing Responsibilities

Borrowers with a non-McMaster email address are responsible for keeping us updated with their current address.

Borrowing Restrictions

  • No renewals.
  • Limit of five items on loan at one time.
  • Reserve and high demand materials may not be borrowed.
  • Group study rooms may not be used.
  • Interlibrary loan service is not available.

Non-McMaster Borrowers

Card

Bring your hospital picture ID with your hospital ID number to the Service Desk in the Health Sciences Library and we will make a card for you.

Borrowing Responsibilities

Borrowers with a non-McMaster email address are responsible for keeping us updated with their current address.

Borrowing Restrictions

Reserve and high demand materials may not be borrowed.

Off-campus access to online resources is not available for HHS staff.

Card

Graduates can obtain an Alumni Library Card at no charge at Mills Library.?

Borrowing Responsibilities

  • Misuse of the library card or failure to respond to notices will result in the withdrawal of borrowing privileges.
  • Cards may be used only by the holder and are not transferable.
  • It is the responsibility of library patrons to keep the library informed of their current home and email address.
  • The non-receipt of library notices by a borrower does not relieve the borrower from fines, book replacement charges, or suspension of privileges.
  • The library must be notified when the card is lost or stolen.

Borrowing Restrictions

  • Limit of 20 items on loan at one time.
  • Reserve and high demand materials may not be borrowed.
  • Limit of two renewals per item.
  • Interlibrary loan service is not available.
  • Off-campus access is available for a limited collection of resources. An Alumni Access account needs to be created using your Alumni Library Card.

Card

External borrower cards can be purchased at the Services Desk for an annual fee of $60. ID with a current address, as well as secondary proof of address will be requested. Payment can be made by cheque, Mastercard, VISA, or debit card (no cash).

Borrowing Responsibilities

  • All cards expire annually at the end of the month indicated on the expiry sticker. The card should be presented when applying for the renewal. Cards can be renewed provided that no materials are overdue and any outstanding charges are paid.
  • Borrowers with a non-McMaster email address are responsible for keeping us updated with their current address.

Borrowing Restrictions

  • Limit of 20 items on loan at one time.
  • Reserve and high demand materials may not be borrowed.
  • Any item may be renewed unless it has been requested by another user.
  • Limit of two renewals per item.
  • Limit of 10 recalls can be placed.
  • McMaster items may not be returned to libraries in other provinces (they can be returned at participating OCUL Libraries).
  • Interlibrary loan service is not available.
  • Off-campus access to online resources is not available.

Card

A current university ID must be presented at the Services Desk, together with ID with a current address.

Borrowing Responsibilities

  • Your card expires on the September 15th following your application. Application for renewal of borrowing privileges can be made beginning in September. The old card should be presented together with a current University ID card. Misuse of the library card or failure to respond to notices will result in the withdrawal of borrowing privileges.
  • Cards may be used only by the holder and are not transferable.
  • It is the responsibility of library patrons to keep the library informed of their current home and email address.
  • The non-receipt of library notices by a borrower does not relieve the borrower from fines, book replacement charges, or suspension of privileges.
  • The library must be notified when the card is lost or stolen.

Borrowing Restrictions

  • Limit of 20 items on loan at one time.
  • Reserve and high demand materials may not be borrowed.
  • Any item may be renewed unless it has been requested by another user.
  • Limit of two renewals per item.
  • Limit of 10 recalls can be placed.
  • McMaster items may not be returned to libraries in other provinces (they can be returned at participating OCUL Libraries).
  • Interlibrary loan service is not available.
  • Off-campus access to online resources is not available.

Eligibility

  • Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students and Undergraduates registered at a university in Ontario (OCUL members).
  • Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students registered at a university in Quebec.
  • Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students, Undergraduates registered at universities in the Atlantic provinces (CAUL/CBUA members) or the Western Provinces (Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries COPPUL).
  • Faculty registered with North American members of OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program.
  • Retired faculty from other Canadian universities who have library privileges at their home university library.
  • Students of the Canadian Reformed Seminary, Hamilton, ON.

Consult the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement for additional information.

Card

Your McMaster ID is still your library card. Contact UTS if you need to replace your card.

Borrowing Responsibilities

Borrowers with a non-McMaster email address are responsible for keeping us updated with their current address.

Borrowing Restrictions

With the exception of retired faculty, Interlibrary loan service is not available.

Reserves

The library’s reserve collection includes books that are in high-demand for students and faculty. Loan periods are shorter enabling everyone to have a chance to use them.

The library’s reserve collection includes books that are in high-demand for students and faculty. Loan periods are shorter enabling everyone to have a chance to use them.

  • Two-hour, 24-hour, three-day or seven-day loan periods.
  • A maximum of six items at a time.
  • Reserve items cannot be held for individuals.
  • Reserve items cannot be renewed.
  • Reserve items may be checked out again if they are not in demand.
  • A 15-minute to 24-hour waiting period may apply to check out an item again after returning it.

Penalties & Fines

Be informed of your responsibilities when borrowing from the Health Sciences Library.

Book Fines & Penalties

You have until 14 days from the original loan date or five days from the date of recall, whichever is longer, in which to return the book, after which a fine of $5.00 a day or partial day is levied. We will suspend your borrowing privileges, charge a book replacement fee, and a non-refundable administrative charge if you do not return an overdue item. All students are responsible for reviewing their account regularly to ensure all charges are as expected, all payments have been received and all balances are paid by the payment deadlines.

Reserve & Equipment Fines

Loan Type Fines for Overdue
two hour and 24 hour $5.00 per hour or part of hour
three day and seven day $5.00 per day or part of day
Group study room keys $5.00 per hour or part of hour
Laptops, projectors & adapters $20.00 per hour or part of hour up to $250 per day

Lost and Damaged Laptops, Projectors and Adaptors

Do not leave the data projector or laptops unattended at any time. You are responsible for the full repair or replacement cost. By signing the Data Projector or Laptop Borrower Agreement, you acknowledge fiscal responsibility for the projector or laptop you have checked out. If any pieces accompanying the projector or laptop are not returned (e.g. the power cord) you will be charged the cost of replacing the item(s) plus a $25 non-refundable administration fee.

Laptops, projectors, and adaptors not returned by the end of the day will be considered lost and you will be billed for the replacement cost plus a non-refundable administration fee of $25. See below for replacement costs.

Lost Equipment Type Replacement Cost
Data Projector  Up to $1500
Laptop $3000
Adaptor $75

Interlibrary Loans

Faculty, staff, and students can request books, book chapters, and articles not available in McMaster’s collections through Interlibrary Loan. Search the library catalogue before making a request to avoid disappointment.

Articles

  • No cost with exceptions. Patrons will be contacted when these exceptions apply prior to filling the request.
  • Usually available within two-10 business days
  • Email notification of arrival. Please ensure racerhe@mcmaster.ca is added to your contacts or ‘safe’ list.
  • Delivered to patrons desktop if publishing license allows.
  • Articles may be picked up at the Service Desk
  • $10 charge per article not picked up within three weeks of email notification.
  • $25 charge per request resubmitted within four months of original submission.

Books and Book Chapters

  • No cost with exceptions. Patrons will be contacted when these exceptions apply prior to filling the request.
  • Usually available within 14 business days
  • Loan period is up to six weeks
  • Email notification of arrival. Please ensure racerhe@mcmaster.ca is added to your contacts or ‘safe’ list.
  • Books are available in print format only, to be picked up at the Service Desk. We are unable to request entire ebooks due to license restrictions.
  • Copies of book chapters may be picked up at the Service Desk or delivered to your desktop if publishers license allows
  • No renewals
  • $10 charge for books not picked up by their due date.
  • Overdue charges from lending libraries and replacement charges for items lost are the responsibility of the patron.

Theses and Dissertations

Very few libraries will lend theses and dissertations. Copies of many North American PhD dissertations can be purchased through Dissertation Express. For more options, see our guide on Theses and Dissertations. If your dissertation isn’t available through any of the above options, you can request it through Interlibrary Loan. Please bear in mind the following:

  • If delivered in hard copy form, your Interlibrary Loan dissertation may have more restrictions than other items (e.g., library use only, handle with care, photocopying restrictions). Please abide by any and all restrictions.
  • Some institutions will not lend or copy their theses. If the owning library is not willing to provide the material via Interlibrary Loan, we will cancel the request.
  • Overdue charges from lending libraries and replacement charges for items lost are the responsibility of the patron.

Rush Service

To make a rush (24-hour) service request call our Interlibrary Loans department at 905.525.9140 x22546 with your RACER order number. All rush requests must be made before 12 noon.

  • Cost is $40 per article
  • Phone notification of arrival
  • Items may be picked up at the Service Desk

Cancellations

Cancellations of requests occur when:

  • The material is held either electronically or in print in any of the McMaster campus libraries. If the item is checked out you can recall it through the library catalogue.
  • The request exceeds the allowances of the Copyright Act or publisher licenses.  Licenses signed by the Library with various publishers supersede the Copyright Act allowances, as well as the AUCC’s Fair Dealing Policy.
  • The citation (reference) is incomplete or incorrect.
  • We are unable to find a location.
  • Web access is available.
  • The requested item is only available in ebook format.
  • Item from the lending library is checked-out.
  • Item from the lending library is not available.
  • Multiple requests (copies of the same article being submitted).
  • The item is non-circulating at the lending library.
  • Privileges have been temporarily suspended.

Service Restrictions

Interlibrary Loan privileges are not available to Mohawk students, alumni, external borrowers, or retirees (with the exception of retired faculty and librarians). Please use services provided by your local public library.