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Borrow/Renew
Library Account
Log into your Library Account (using your University of Idaho username and password) to:
- Renew materials, review your loans, and make Summit requests online
- Access library databases from anywhere in the world
- Use Interlibrary Loan / Rapido and view your pending requests
Offline, use your Vandal Card to check out and renew Books, DVDs, and other materials from the library
Library Account Policies
How do I get a library card?
Library Cards for Students, Faculty, and Staff
Your Idaho Vandal ID card can be used as your library card to check out materials as well as to access your interlibrary loan account and other online materials.
If you have a valid University of Idaho network username and password, you will also be able to access databases like JSTOR, Web of Science and Academic Search Premier from off campus by using your University of Idaho username and password.
Preferred Name: the Library circulation system used to check in and out materials can be updated to include a preferred name. Patrons interested in changing the name used on this system should inquire at the circulation desk or email libcirc@uidaho.edu. Please note campus systems that use the U of I single sign-on system will still display the legally registered name for your account.
Guest Library Cards
Guest privileges are available to:
- Idaho residents with photo ID (residents under 18 years old must have parent or guardian willing to establish a parent/child account)
- WSU faculty, staff, and students with WSU ID
- Summit Library members, who may use their home library's card
Guests may borrow books, DVDs and other library materials. If you are not actively affiliated with the university, you will not have remote access to most electronic resources or to some library-specific services.
Loan Periods
Generally, cardholders can borrow an unlimited number of items. Loan periods will vary depending on your status and the type of material being borrowed. Note, equipment can not be loaned to guest accounts.
| Type of Material | Loan Period | Renewals |
|---|---|---|
| Books | Undergraduates and guest patrons 12 Weeks; Faculty, staff, and graduates 120 Days | 6 Weeks |
| CDs, DVDs, LPs, Browsing Books | 12 Weeks | No |
| Book Club Books | 3 Weeks | No |
| Board Games | 2 Weeks | 1 Week |
| Course Reserves | 3 Hours, 1 Day, or 3 Days (based on instructor preference and student usage) | No |
| Government Documents | 12 week or 3 hour in-library (see Gov Docs Policies) | No |
| Magazines and Journals | Library use only | |
| Maps, Reference Books, Atlases | Library use only | |
| Microform (film and fiche) | Library use only | |
| Newspapers | Library use only | |
| Summit | 12 Weeks | 6 Weeks (depends on the partner library) |
| ILLiad (ILL) Books | Varies by lending institution, 4 weeks on average | Varies by lending institution, 2 weeks on average |
| ILLiad (ILL) DVDs/CDs | Varies by lending institution, 2 weeks on average | Varies by lending institution, 2 weeks on average |
| Large Loanable Equipment (cameras, drawing tablet, etc.) | 3 Days | No |
| Small Loanable Equipment (headphones, chargers, calculators) | 3 Hours | No |
| Short Loan Laptops | 3 Weeks | No |
| Long Loan Laptops | To end of semester | No |
| Sewing Machine | 3 Weeks | No |
| Graduate Carrels | To end of semester | Carrels can roll over to new semesters based on student need |
Fines and Late Fees
The library no longer collects late fees or fines for items in our general collection as part of our commitment to equitable access to information and student affordability.
Some items in the library, such as print Course Reserves or U of I Multimedia equipment, are exceptions to this policy and will continue to accrue late fees. In addition, the library will continue assessing lost item fees to patrons. Items move into lost status when they have not been returned 15 days after the assigned due date, at which time patrons are charged a $100 fee ($80 replacement item cost and $20 processing fee).
If you have questions about which items have late fees and which don't, or want to supply your own replacement copy, please contact our Access Services/Circulation Desk at 208-885-6559 and we'd be happy to assist you.
| Item Type | Cost per Day | Fine Cap | Replacement Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Cameras | $5.00 | $70.00 | $1,500.00 |
| Laptops | $5.00 | $70.00 | $1,400.00 |
| DSLR Cameras | $5.00 | $70.00 | $900.00 |
| Drawing Tablet | $5.00 | $70.00 | $700.00 |
| Speedlite kit | $5.00 | $70.00 | $450.00 |
| TASCAM Recorders | $5.00 | $70.00 | $360.00 |
| GoPros | $5.00 | $70.00 | $250.00 |
| Ring Light Kit | $5.00 | $70.00 | $250.00 |
| Sewing Machines | $5.00 | $70.00 | $200.00 |
| USB Microphone | $5.00 | $70.00 | $200.00 |
| Tripods, external hard drives, external disc drives, video light kit, green screen, wireless presenter, light reflector/diffuser kit, portable speaker | $5.00 | $70.00 | $100.00 |
| Chargers, room kits, headphones, calculators | $5.00 | $20.00 | $100.00 |
| Course Reserve Items | $5.00 | $20.00 | $100.00 |
| Interlibrary Loan Items | Per Item (Contact ILL) | Per Item (contact ILL) | |
| Summit Items | No fines | $100.00 | |
| All other items in the University of Idaho Library not mentioned above | No fines | $100.00 |
Renewing Library Materials
Three options available for renewing:
- Online at Your Library Account, where you can also see what items are checked out to you and when they are due
- By telephone at (208) 885-6559
- In person at the Circulation Desk (1st floor)
To better ensure equal opportunity to use the library's physical items for the entire U of I community, checked out items may be renewed twice upon request, then must be physically returned to the Circulation Desk to be checked in. If the item is not otherwise requested or recalled, then it may be checked out again.