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About the CSI Library: Policy: Borrowing & Reserves

Mission, policies, services, staff, and contact information

Checkout Periods and Limits (updated 5/9/22)

Individuals may check out library materials if they have a current library card. CSI students, faculty and staff must register at the Library by completing a Library Card Application form at the circulation (front) desk. CSI Students, faculty and staff use their CSI ID card as their Library card. In order to borrow items from the Library, CSI students must have a current semester sticker on their card. The library has stickers available.


Loan Periods:

  • Books, DVDs, CDs, Playaways, board games and journals may be checked out for four weeks. These items may be renewed three times.  
  • There is no limit on the number of books that can be checked out.  
  • DVDs, CDs, and Playaways are limited to 3 items at a time. 
  • Board Games are limited to 2 items at a time.  
  • Reference books cannot be checked out. 

Text Message Overdue Notification:  

You can receive library overdue notices as text messages (SMS) on your phone. These brief messages will not include all details like titles or due dates, but will give you the Library’s phone number to renew your items. The Library does not charge a fee for this service, but text message charges from your cell phone carrier may apply. To sign up for text message overdue notices, ask at the Circulation Desk. Patrons can opt-out of text message overdue notices at any time by notifying the CSI Library by email at abeard2@csi.edu calling 208-732-6500. 

Overdue and Non-Returned Items

When items become overdue by seven days, a first overdue notice will be sent to the patron, with a second notice following seven days later.  After another week, a final notice will be sent.  At the time the item is one month overdue, a bill for replacement charges will be sent to the patron.  If the item is still not returned, a letter of intent (via certified mail) will be sent to the patron informing them that their account (with a $10 excessive late fee per item) will be turned over to a collection agency if the item is not returned by a specified date (usually two weeks).  After the deadline has passed, the account will be turned over to a collection agency. 

Any students who do not return items at the end of the semester will have a hold placed on their student records by the library.

CSI Library Community Card Policy (updated 5/9/22)

  1. The CSI Library is funded by student fees and is primarily for the use of CSI students, faculty and staff. Any adult (over 18 years of age) permanent resident of the eight counties (Twin Falls, Jerome, Gooding, Cassia, Minidoka, Lincoln, Blaine and Elmore) served by CSI is eligible to apply for a CSI Library community card. CSI Library community card holders enjoy many of the benefits offered by the CSI Library, with few restrictions.   
  2. CSI Library community card applicants must present an official picture identification and official proof of address (driver's license with current address, utility bill, a preprinted check, or other official mail addressed to the applicant).
  3. Patrons must complete a CSI Library application form before checking out items. The form must be completed at each renewal of the card. 
  4. The cost for the CSI Library community card is $25 per year. Please note that the library accepts cash or in-state checks only. Cash must be used for all sales under $5.00. No debit or credit cards are accepted.
  5. Senior citizens (over 60) may obtain a card for no cost.
  6. Community card holders are entitled to checkout privileges for Library items including: books, DVDs, CDs, Playaways, board games, and journals. Community members may also access the library's video games and the special collections room. Viewing special collections requires advanced notice and assistance by a staff member.    
  7. Community card holders may also request items through interlibrary loan (10 items per year). During peak student usage times community card holder interlibrary loan requests will be processed after all student, faculty and staff requests are completed. 
  8. The computers are primarily for CSI student use. CSI Library community card holders may use the computers, if there is one available. Community card holders must sign in and out at the front desk, and must yield the computer to students if other computers are not available. Black and white printing is charged at $.20 per page. Color printing is charged at $1.00 per page.     
  9. The CSI Library community card is an individual card. Family, group or agency cards are not available.
  10. The CSI Library community card is a personal identification and must not be lent to other persons. CSI Library community card holders are responsible for all materials checked out on their card. They must inform the library promptly if their card is lost or stolen.
  11. CSI Library community cards will be cancelled if materials are not returned or if community card privileges are abused. Community card holders will be billed for all unreturned, lost, or damaged materials. 
  12. Individuals who attend Boise State University, Idaho State University, Northwest Nazarene University, or University of Idaho classes at CSI may receive a Library community card free of charge.
  13. CSI dependents as well as CSI retirees may receive a community card free of charge.

Reserving or Placing Holds (11/15/2011)

Holds may be placed on items that are currently not available. Items may not be renewed if a hold has been placed on it. Holds can be placed in person, over the phone or via e-mail. Holds placed via e-mail should be sent to Allison Beard (abeard2@csi.edu) and should include the following information:

  • Patron's full name
  • Contact information where patron can be reached to be notified when the item is available to be picked up
  • CSI ID number
  • Title and author of the item to be placed on hold

 

Returning Library Materials

Library material may be returned to any of the three Library return boxes. There is one located outside of the Library in the lobby of the Meyerhoeffer Building and two located at the circulation desk.

Reserve Collection

CSI Faculty and staff may place personal, departmental, or Library items in the Reserve Collection. Information that must accompany items when being placed on Reserve includes:

  • Course title
  • Instructor
  • Lending parameters – which may range from library use only to four week checkout 
  • Length of time the item should remain on Reserve - faculty may indicate when they would like the items returned or if they would like them left on Reserve for the entire semester. 
  • If there are restrictions concerning student access to the item, a list of students must be provided at the time the item is placed on Reserve.

Checkout of Reserve items is restricted to faculty, staff, and students.