Paul and Rosemary Trible Library

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Phone: (757) 594-7133

Circulation | Reserve Materials | Interlibrary Loan Service

Circulation Policies

Checking Out Materials
The CNU ID card serves as the library card for Christopher Newport University faculty, staff, and students, including the LifeLong Learning Society members. This card allows check out of materials and remote access to the Library’s electronic resources. CNU ID cards may be obtained at the David Student Union Welcome Desk, with a valid photo ID and class schedule or letter of employment.

Community patron cards can be issued to all Virginia residents ages 18 and older who present a valid Virginia driver’s license or ID card (or a military ID along with verification of address). Virginia residents must pay a $25 yearly fee. The fee is waived for CNU Alumni and individuals with a valid Virginia Tidewater Consortium card. Library borrowing privileges to community patrons are limited and do not include remote access to the Library’s electronic resources or Interlibrary Loan privileges. A one-page summary of community patron information is available as an information sheet (pdf format).

Loan Periods, Limits, & Fines
Please refer to our charts for loan periods, limits, and the fine amounts. Items in the Reference, Periodical, and Archive Collections do not circulate.
Overdue notices and all other circulation notices (except bills) are sent via e-mail whenever possible.
Fines may be paid at the Circulation Desk with cash or check.

Lost Items
If items are lost, damaged beyond repair, or not returned within 90 days after the due date, the patron will be charged for the replacement of the item. Replacement cost is determined based on the item and availability of a replacement.

Renewals
Reserve items are not renewable.
Circulating books and media collection items may be renewed a maximum of 1 time.
Renewals may be requested by email to circ@cnu.edu, by calling 594-7133, or by bringing proper ID to the Circulation Desk. Items may also be renewed online from the Library webpage, before their due date.
After one renewal, the material must be returned and checked in. If no one is waiting for the material, it may be checked out again.

Requesting / Holding Books
Books currently checked out may be requested by another borrower. This can be done online by finding the item in the online catalog and using the “Request” button, or by asking at the Circulation Desk. Once the item is returned, the patron who requested the book will be notified. You cannot, however, place a hold on items that have a status of "Available."

Returning Material
Library material may be returned at the Circulation Desk during normal operating hours. If the Library is closed, material can be placed in the book return found outside the library entrance.

Searches
If an item is not on the shelf, and is listed as “Available” in the online catalog, stop at the Circulation Desk for assistance. The item may be in the process of being reshelved. If the Circulation staff are still not able to locate the item, a search form will be filled out and the patron will be notified when the item is found.

Unpaid Fines or Bills
For CNU Students, a delay in paying fines may result in a block being placed on the student’s account. Students will not be permitted to register for subsequent terms, grades will be held, and the University will not issue diplomas, official transcripts, etc.

For community patrons (including students no longer attending CNU), a delay in paying fines may result in the submission of their name to the Virginia Department of Taxation. The University is permitted under Virginia Law to attach Virginia State income tax refunds or lottery winnings in repayment of any debt, which is owed to the University.

Fines may be paid at the Circulation Desk with cash or check. Payment may also be made by mailing a check, made payable to Christopher Newport University, to:
Trible Library Circulation Department
Christopher Newport University
1 University Place
Newport News, VA 23606

VTC Card
Virginia Tidewater Consortium applications and borrower cards are available at the Circulation Desk. Christopher Newport University is a member of the Virginia Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education which enables students, faculty, and staff to borrow library materials from any of the VTC member institutions. A borrower card must be obtained before going to a member institution.

Reserve Materials

Faculty may place required reading materials (library owned or personal copies) on reserve for their students. Materials owned by other libraries cannot be placed on reserve. Reserve forms are available at the Circulation Desk, online (print out and submit in person), or you may have forms delivered via campus mail (call 4-7246).

Reserve loan periods vary from 2 hours to 2 weeks, and are determined by the faculty member. Copyright compliance in respect to photocopies is the responsibility of the faculty member. Materials placed on reserve are processed as quickly as possible, but 3 days should be allowed for processing. All materials are removed from reserve at the end of the semester unless otherwise specified. Media Reserve is available in the Media Center (4-7136).

Interlibrary Loan Service

Interlibrary loan enables CNU faculty, staff, and students to supplement our library's resources by borrowing materials from other libraries. Request forms are available online. Undergraduate students are limited to 10 requests per week. Graduate students are limited to 20 requests per week. The limits and conditions of use established by the lending library must be observed. All requests must comply with the copyright law. The library reserves the right to refuse any request, if in our judgment, fulfillment would involve violation of this law. Full information may be found in the Interlibrary Loan brochure. Please phone (757) 594-7249 if you have questions not answered here. For information and questions only, you may email the department at ill@cnu.edu. (Please do not submit Interlibrary Loan requests via email.)
Also Note: ILL participates in Dissertation Express. We are able to purchase select dissertations for a discount on your behalf. Please email us if you are interested and want more information.