Library Words to Know: Borrowing Services

Course Reserves
A collection of course materials set aside by instructors. Physical items, like books or exam keys, are available for short-term, in-library use only. Digital materials, such as articles, can be accessed online anytime.

HELIN Consortium
The Higher Education Library Information Network. A Rhode Island-based group of college libraries that share resources and work together to support library services within their respective institutions.

• Books and other materials can be requested from a HELIN college through a RIC Library Account using the online catalog. Requests to deliver from other libraries must be placed through Interlibrary Loan. For more information on how to create a request, visit Interlibrary Loan.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
A service that allows for patrons to request books and other materials to be delivered to RIC. 

Library of Things
A service that allows students to borrow office supplies and other study materials for in-library use. Examples include headphones, dry erase marker kits, art supplies, skeletal models, and bones.

Technology Lending
A service that loans out laptops, tablets, calculators, and other electronic devices to students. 

For the full list of policies and borrowing information, visit Borrowing Privileges and Loan Policies.

Borrowing privileges
Refers to RIC’s policies for checking out, renewing, and returning books. 

• Students, faculty, and staff must have a RIC ID and an active library account to check out materials. RIC Alumni and RI Residents may apply for a Special Borrowers Card.

Check out
To take out a material for temporary use outside the library. 

Circulation
Materials that can be checked out from the library.

Due date
Refers to the date at which library materials must be returned or renewed. Items not returned by their due date may result in fines, a lost item fee, or the loss of borrowing privileges.

Fine
A monetary charge incurred as a penalty for not returning borrowed library materials.

Grace period
A limited time period from an item’s due date where charges are not incurred. This period varies by borrower and item type. 

Hold
A request to reserve an item that has already been checked out. Once returned, the item is set aside for the requester.

Loan period
The allotted time period for borrowing library materials.

Non-circulating
Material intended exclusively for use inside the library (e.g. Reference books, Course Reserves, supplies from Library of Things, etc.)

Overdue
An item that has not been returned by its due date. Overdue items may result in fines, fees, or a loss of borrowing privileges.

Renew/Renewal
A request to keep library material for another loan period after the initial due date.