Library Loan Policies

For Students

• Students may borrow up to 30 items.
• Books are loaned for 3 weeks and can be renewed four times.
• Loans of media items are limited to 5 videos/DVDs, and 5 audio CDs/tapes/CD-ROMs. These items can be borrowed for one week and cannot be renewed.
• Laptop loans are limited to 1 laptop per user.
• Fines will apply to any late returns or lost items.
• You are responsible for all materials checked out to your account. The library strongly advises against loaning items you have borrowed to another person. In the event of loss or a late return, you will be liable for the applicable fines.
• See Laptops and Reserves for loan policies

For Graduate Students

• Graduate students may borrow up to 40 items.
• Books are loaned for 49 days and can be renewed two times.
• Loans of media items are limited to 5 videos/DVDs, and 5 audio CDs/tapes/CD-ROMs. These items can be borrowed for one week and cannot be renewed.
• Laptop loans are limited to 1 laptop per user.
• Fines will apply to any late returns or lost items.
• You are responsible for all materials checked out to your account. The library strongly advises against loaning items you have borrowed to another person. In the event of loss or a late return, you will be liable for the applicable fines.

For Faculty

• Faculty may borrow up to 75 items. 
• Books on loan to faculty are subject to recall after one week. If another user requests a recall, you will be notified and given a reasonable amount of time to return the item to the library. You can reclaim recalled items after one week.
• General and Arabic Collection books are loaned for each academic semester with 1 renewal between fall and spring semesters.
• Loans of media items are limited to 5 videos/DVDs, and 5 audio CDs/tapes/CD-ROMs. These items can be borrowed for one week and cannot be renewed.
• Special Collection material can be borrowed for one week.
• Reference material may be loaned for one day, after consultation with a librarian.
• Faculty may borrow selected journals, limited to 3 items for 3 days. Journal loans cannot be renewed.
• Replacement fees will be assessed to lost items.
• You are responsible for all materials checked out to your account. The library strongly advises against loaning items you have borrowed to another person. In the event of loss, you will be liable for the applicable replacement fee.
• Faculty may apply to have a proxy sign material out for them. Please download the Proxy Authorization Form and return the completed form to the library.

For Staff

• Staff may borrow up to 20 items.
• Books are loaned for 3 weeks and can be renewed four times.
• Loans of media items are limited to 5 videos/DVDs, and 5 audio CDs/tapes/CD-ROMs. These items can be borrowed for one week and cannot be renewed.
• Fines will apply to any late returns or lost items.
• You are responsible for all materials checked out to your account. The library strongly advises against loaning items you have borrowed to another person. In the event of loss or a late return, you will be liable for the applicable fines.

For Alumni

• Students may borrow up to 20 items.
• Books are loaned for 2 weeks and can be renewed four times.
• Loans of media items are limited to 5 videos/DVDs, and 5 audio CDs/tapes/CD-ROMs. These items can be borrowed for one week and cannot be renewed.
• Fines will apply to any late returns or lost items.
• You are responsible for all materials checked out to your account. The library strongly advises against loaning items you have borrowed to another person. In the event of loss or a late return, you will be liable for the applicable fines.
• Licensing agreements restrict electronic databases to currently enrolled students and faculty/staff only.

For University of Sharjah Faculty

• The existing University of Sharjah ID card will be used as the library ID card.
• University of Sharjah Faculty may borrow up to 15 items. 
• Books are loaned for 30 days and can be renewed once for 2 weeks.
• Books on loan are subject to recall after one week.
• Loans of media items are limited to 3 videos/DVDs, and 3 audio CDs/tapes/CD-ROMs. These items can be borrowed for one week and cannot be renewed.
• Hold requests are not available.
• Replacement fees will be assessed to lost items.
• You are responsible for all materials checked out to your account. The library strongly advises against loaning items you have borrowed to another person. In the event of loss, you will be liable for the applicable replacement fee.
• Repeated overdue or loss/damage of materials may result in loss of borrowing privileges for individual users.

Library Cards

Your AUS ID card serves as your borrowers card. Family members of AUS faculty over the age of 16 can use the ID card, or can apply for their own card at the library circulation desk. Borrowing privileges are extended only to AUS students, faculty, staff and family members in residence, but others may use the library's resources on the premises.

Renewals

If you need additional time to finish a book, you can renew the loan. Books may be renewed by either returning the item to the library circulation desk, renewing via the library catalog or by telephoning the library circulation desk during the library’s normal hours of operation. Renewal will be for the same time period as the original loan. To renew, you will need to provide your ID number, correct details regarding the book or the book barcode number. 

Renewal Rules

• Fines for late renewals are the same as for late returns.

Fines and Overdue Items

All Library borrowers are responsible for the safe and timely return of library materials. It is a courtesy and sign of respect to your fellow scholars to return items on time. 

When items are seriously overdue, courtesy notices are sent. However, failure to receive a notice does not excuse a user from overdue fines. 

NOTE: You are responsible for all materials checked out to your account. The library strongly advises against loaning items you have borrowed to another person. In the event of loss or a late return, you will be liable for the applicable fines.

Fines and Replacement Charges

Fines for regular overdue materials — 1 Dh. per day for 30 days. An additional 20 Dhs. will be added on 31st day. After that time the item will be declared missing and a replacement fee will be charged.  

Fines for one week loans — 2 Dhs. per day for 30 days. After that time the item will be declared missing and a replacement fee will be charged.

Fines for reserve items — 1 Dh. per hour up to 10 hours. After that time the item will be declared missing and a replacement fee will be charged.

Replacement fee — Borrowers will be charged a replacement fee for items that are missing, lost or damaged beyond repair. This fee will include the current cost of the item, PLUS 75 Dhs. (more for sets and rare materials) for processing and shipping.

Borrowing privileges will be suspended when fines and/or replacement charges reach 100 Dhs. or if you have one unpaid replacement fee.

Students who have unpaid fines at the end of a semester will not receive their grades, and will not be allowed to register for classes the following semester. Students who have graduated or transferred will not be able to receive transcripts until any outstanding library fines have been paid.

Fine Payment

Pick up a fines form from the library, take it to the Cashier's Office on the Mezzanine level of the Main Building to pay your fine, then bring the stamped form back to the library to clear your fine.

Alternatively, fines can be paid using Campus Cash accounts. To recharge Campus Cash accounts online please visit the AUS Finance Department's Online Payment Guide.

After hours book return

You can return books even when the library is closed. Three book returns are located on campus, one outside the new library main entrance, one inside the Student Center, the other in front of the School of Business and Management. The boxes are emptied every morning. Books returned to the book drop are counted as received the previous evening. Please use the box only for the return of library materials.  Fragile items such as videotapes and CDs should be returned directly to the library desk.