Circulation

Purpose

The Circulation Department provides the proper maintenance of all circulating and non-circulating items.

Hours of Operation

Circulation Desk services are available until fifteen (15) minutes prior to library closing.
Therefore, the desk closes at the following times:

Circulation Policies

Library Cards and Identification

A currently validated university ID card (Okra Kard) must be presented to the Circulation Desk staff in order to check out books.

Loan Periods:

*Some Govt Documents do not circulate. Check with a Reference Librarian.

Renewals

Renewals are granted provided there are no other patron requests for the library material. Renewals are available at the Circulation Desk or by telephone at 846-4430. After the second renewal, the actual item must be presented at the Circulation Desk to be re-checked.

Recall Policy

Library books are subject to recall after they have been checked out for ten (10) days. If a book is recalled, the Circulation staff will assign a new due date and will notify the patron by mail. Fines will be assessed on recalled items that are not returned by the new due date.

Fines 

Any library material kept past the due date is subject to a fine. Fines for books, government documents, and vertical file materials accrue at the rate of $0.30 per day, per item, for each day the item is overdue. Fines for reserve materials accrue at the rate of $0.50 per hour, per item. Current fines can be paid with an Okra Kard or a purchased Guest Card. Unpaid fines will be billed to DSU student accounts on or after the fifth (5th) day of each month. Once fines are billed to students’ university accounts, students must pay online through DSU Online Services. The Library and IRC cannot collect fines transferred to Student Business Services. Non-DSU patrons will always pay at the Library or IRC.

Guide to Paying Library Fines Online

SBS Guide to Online Payments

Lost Materials

Books and materials declared lost or kept at least thirty (30) days beyond the due date will be billed for the cost of the book, plus an $18.00 processing fee, plus the accrued fine. If the book is found and returned, the cost of the book will be refunded. The accrued fine will be charged. Maximum fine is $10.00 per item.

Cost of lost vertical file materials and government documents will be assessed by the Reference Department staff.

Damaged Materials

Charges for damaged items are assessed. Extensive damage may require full replacement of the item.

Security

All library materials are protected by the library’s security system. Materials not properly checked out will activate the security alarm located at the library exit.

Circulation Services

Reserves

A list of materials that each professor placed on reserve is available at the Circulation Desk. Reserve materials are checked out through the Circulation Desk and must be used in the library. Selected reserve materials are available electronically through the card catalog.

Photocopy Machines

Photocopy machines are available in three locations:
1st Floor – Reference Department and IRC
2nd Floor – near the Serials/Interlibrary Loan desk
The charge is $0.10 cents per page. The photocopiers do not accept cash – only Okra Kards and purchased Guest Cards.

Holds

Requests to place a hold on a book that is currently checked out may be given to the Circulation Desk staff. Patrons will be notified by mail when the item has been returned and is available for check-out.

Dancing Rabbit Library Consortium

DSU borrowers in good standing may request a Dancing Rabbit Library Consortium Borrowing Card. This card will enable users to obtain borrowing cards at most libraries in Northwest Mississippi.

Friends of the Library

The library offers five levels of membership: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Lifetime Platinum. Members may borrow items from the main collection or the Instructional Resources Center. Click here for details.

Pay-For-Print

Computer printing costs $0.10 cents per page. DSU students, faculty and staff may use their Okra Kard (Okra Green Anywhere funds) to pay for printing, fines, and photocopying. If you do not have an Okra Kard, you may purchase a Guest Card for $1.00 at the Card Value Center located in the Reference Department. Value must be added to the Guest Cards and Okra Kards before they can be used.

More Information

For further information on placing items on Reserve for a class, please see Placing Materials on Reserve.

Questions?

Please feel free to contact the Circulation Department. The telephone number is 846-4430, or contact one of the Circulation Staff.