You are here: Skip Navigation LinksSCC Library Homepage -- > About the Library -- > Policies -- > Borrowing Policies

Borrowing Policies

Below you will find information about

To borrow items from the library, students need an SCC student ID card. These cards can be obtained in the library at the check-out desk. You will need to present a photo ID and a copy of your class schedule showing that at least half of your tuition has been paid. Faculty and staff can use their SCC ID card to borrow materials, and community patrons can obtain a community borrower card at the library check-out desk.

As an SCC student, you can also borrow materials (using your SCC student ID) from libraries at other WA state community and technical colleges such as Edmonds Community College, Everett Community College, the Seattle Community Colleges, and Bellevue Community College. You can search for a community college in your neighborhood here.


Borrowing Periods

The borrowing periods that are outlined below for each type of library item are general rules. Occassionally there are special circumstances for particular items that may override these rules. You can always log in to your library account to check the due date for materials you currently have checked out. In all cases the due date provided to you at the point of check out is the final word on when your items need to be returned!

  • Books: Most books can be checked out for three weeks. Exceptions to this general rule are books from the reference collection (which can only be checked out through special arrangement with a librarian) and books that have been placed on reserve (checkout periods vary for reserve items).
  • Audio CDs: Generally, one week.
  • Videos and DVDs: One week for items in the Open Collection. Videos stored behind the counter in the Media area are for in-library use only.
  • Magazines, Newspapers, and Journals: One week.
  • Equipment (Laptops, cameras, etc.): Equipment borrowing periods vary by equipment type. Please contact the Media department for specific details. Phone: (206) 546-4529; Email.
  • Course reserves: The borrowing periods for course reserves vary based on many factors. Please contact the reserve counter for information on specific titles. Phone: (206) 546-4556.

Back to Top


Item Limits for Check Out

Limits vary depending upon the type of patron you are. If you are a member of the SCC community (a student or a member of the staff or faculty) you can check out a maximum of 25 items. Members of the general public are limited to a total of 10 items. In addition to these general limits, the following item-type limits also exist:

  • Audio recordings (CDs, etc): You can have 5 of these items checked out at one time.
  • Video recordings (DVDs, VHSs, etc): You can have 2 of these checked out at one time.
  • Course reserves: You can have 2 of these checked out at one time.

Back to Top


Renewals and Library Account Management

Library materials can be renewed for additional borrowing periods. The number of times you can renew an item depends on what type of item it is. Please note that holds can be placed on items that are checked out. When a hold has been placed, that item cannot be renewed. You can renew your items in person at the check-out desk, by calling us during normal business hours at (206) 546-4556, or by accessing your account online on this webpage. Here are some guidelines related to renewals for various types of materials:

  • Books: Can be renewed twice.
  • Magazines, Newspapers, and Journals: Can be renewed twice.
  • Audio recordings (CDs, etc): Can be renewed twice.
  • Video recordings (DVDs, VHS) from the open collection: Can be renewed twice.
  • Course reserves: Cannot be renewed.
  • Equipment: Equipment renewals vary based on a number of factors. Please contact the Media department to inquire about renewing specific items. Phone: (206) 546-4529.

Back to Top


Fines, Fees, and Penalties

It's important to return items you borrow by their due date. If you don't some bad things can happen! The library will charge you fines for overdue items, and if items are really overdue you can be blocked from borrowing other materials and from registering for classes or conducting other business with the college (such as acquiring transcripts). Additionally, cases dealing with seriously overdue items may be forwarded to a collection agency.

Fines, fees, and penalties vary depending on what is overdue and how late it is. Below are some general guidelines regarding what can happen if you don't return your library materials on time. If an item is more than 10 days overdue, you will be charged the cost of replacing that item plus a fee to cover the processing of the replacement. If that item is later returned, the replacement charge and fee will be waived, but overdue fines may still apply.

  • The fine on Reserve, Reference, and Media material, which is checked out by the hour, is 50 cents an hour per item, up to $2.50 per day, to a maximum of the cost of the item.
  • Overdue reserve material and media material from the open or closed collections with loan periods of 1 day, 2 days, 3 days or 7 days is charged $2.50 per day, regardless of the time of day the material is returned, to a maximum of the cost of the item.
  • Equipment: fines vary depending upon the piece of equipment. A penalty of $5.00 per item per day is charged for a camcorder, tripod, laptop or lighting kit if returned late.

Back to Top


Returning Library Materials

Library materials can be returned to the library's check-out desk during the library's normal business hours. There are also drop boxes on campus where you can return most items (books, audio recordings, videos, magazines and newspapers). Please do not return materials to the drop boxes when the library is open. This interferes with other students' access to these items and you may receive a fine. Return these items to the library's circulation counter.

Drop boxes are located in the following locations:

  • At the entrance to the library
  • At the bus stop near the college's main entrance and directly in front of the 1000 (Administration) building

Back to Top

Site content copyright 2008, Shoreline Community College.
This page last updated on 5/27/2008.
Questions or comments about the site? Contact us.
SCC Library Multi-Search


What is OSIS Search?