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CIRCULATION FAQs

Borrowing, returning, renewing

Recalls, holds, Search Requests

Fines and fees, notices

Course reserves

Circulation FAQs

Borrowing / Returning Library Material
-Who can borrow library material?
-I am not from SB. Can I borrow material?
-How do I borrow / check out material?
-How long can I keep library items?
-How many items can I borrow?
-How do I return material?

Fines and Fees, Notices
-Why am I blocked from borrowing material?
-How do I know I have a fine?
-What happens if I return material late?
-What happens if I lose / damage an item?
-What if I want to replace an item, which I lost or damaged?
-How / where do I pay fines?
-Why do I receive notices?
-Why don’t I receive notices?

Renewing Library Material
-How do I renew Library Material?

Recalls / Holds, Search Requests
-What is recall / hold?
-How do I recall / hold library material?
-How do I place Search Request?

Account Information
-How can I check my Account information?
-Do I notify Library about my address change?

Course Reserves
-What is Course Reserve?
-Who can place an item on reserve?
-How do I place an item on reserve?

Borrowing / Returning Library Material
Q: I am not from SB. Can I borrow material?
A: The Library extends borrowing privileges through many cooperative affiliations:

As an active member of the SBU Alumni Association (with active membership card)
If you are a student, faculty, or staff member of another SUNY school (with your ID card)
Through your local Long Island public library (with paperwork from public library)
If you are a member of the Stony Brook Round Table (with paperwork and SBU ID Card)
As a Friend of the Library (with paperwork)

We honor other associations, as well. Call 2-7115 to ask if you are eligible to borrower.

Q: How many items can I borrow?
A: The maximum number of items that you can have checked out to your account at one time depends on your patron category:

100 items – Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students, and Emeritus faculty
50 items – Undergraduate
10 items – ‘courtesy’ borrowers
5 items – students enrolled at other SUNY schools

Fines and Fees, Notices
Q: How do I know I have a fine?
A: If you owe a balance, you will receive notification through your campus email (or at your mailing address if you are a ‘courtesy’ borrower). You can check information about your account, including your fines, from the STARS website.
Click on the Sign-in button, in the upper-right corner of the banner, and follow and follow the directions in the pop-up window. After you have logged in, click on “My Account.”

Q: Why don't I receive notices?
A: Library notices are sent to students, faculty, and staff through campus email (or to the email indicated in your Solar account). If you are not receiving your emails, check your account information to ensure that it is valid.
Notices to ‘courtesy’ borrowers are sent through the mail—check your account information to verify that your mailing address is correct. If it is in need of correction, notify the library.
Notices are sent as a courtesy—non-receipt of notices will not excuse you of fees or fines.

Account Information
Q: How can I check my Account information?
A: You can log into your account from the STARS website. Click on the Sign-in button, in the upper-right corner of the banner, and follow and follow the directions in the pop-up window. After you have logged in, click on “My Account.”

Q: Do I notify Library about my address change?
A: If you are a ‘courtesy’ borrower, inform the Library of your new address—call 632-7115. Students must alert Registrar, and Faculty/Staff should contact Human Resources.

Stony Brook University Libraries
Frank Melville Jr. Memorial Library, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3300
631.632.7100 (t), 631.632.7116 (fax)

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Copyright 2003. Last Update: May 2009