Borrowing Policy

A valid TxState ID or government-issued photo ID must be presented to check out library material.

Texas State University students, faculty, and staff

TXST students and staff are allowed to check out a maximum of 100 items. TXST faculty are allowed to check out a maximum of 200 items.

Retired Faculty and Staff / Visitors / Non-University Borrowers

Retired faculty and staff, GWLA members, and TexShare and community borrowers may borrow general collection books and media discs, but no equipment or laptops. Other media (for example kits, models, toys) and the media viewing cart may be used on the library premises.

Visitors may borrow books from Alkek Library through:

• TexShare Library Card Program. Ask your local library for a TexShare card to get started.
• A Non-University Borrower's Card. An option is to pay a $15 per year fee at the Checkout desk to obtain a Non-University Borrower's Card for borrowing privileges.
• Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA) member institution affiliation. Borrowers from other GWLA institutions must present their institution's ID or official government-issued ID and must log into their library account at their home institution to demonstrate current affiliation and no outstanding fines greater than $25.

Most items that are lost or damaged and not useable will be billed at the price of the item, as listed in the catalog record, plus a $15 processing fee.  Patrons who return items that are missing part(s) (e.g., models, DVD sets) may be charged the complete replacement cost. 

When there is no price in the catalog record, the following default prices will be used:

A patron who needs an item which is checked out to someone else may place a recall on the item online by clicking the “Request” button in the online catalog.  If the due date is changed, the borrower who currently has the item will receive a notice to return it.  The new due date is always at least five days after the recall notice is issued but can be later, to guarantee the original borrower their minimum number of days.  After the recalled item due date, fines will begin accruing for all user types at $1/day. When the item is returned, the requester will receive a notice that the item is available for pickup.

Patrons may challenge a lost item charge via the appeals process.

The appeal process applies to all University Library materials.

If the patron wishes to appeal a library fine, they should first discuss the charge with a supervisor at the library desk where the item was checked out. If the patron is not satisfied with the supervisor’s decision, the patron may then submit an appeal by completing the online appeal form.  The patron’s appeal will be reviewed by a fines appeal panel in a timely manner.  An appeal based solely on inability to pay or disagreement with the fine structure will not be considered. Once the panel’s decision has been made, it is final.

Library privileges may be suspended for borrowers who have unpaid fines or overdue items.

Borrowers will be unable to check out additional materials or renew existing items if any of the following applies:

• The borrower owes too much in fines (Texas State student/faculty/staff: $50 or more; other borrower: $1 or more)
• The borrower has reached the maximum level overdue notice on any item they have checked out
• The borrower has overdue TexShare or ILL items

Borrowers will have a library hold in Banner if any of the following applies:

• The borrower owes too much in fines (Texas State student/faculty/staff: $25 or more)
• The borrower has overdue items that are 2 or more days overdue
• The borrower has overdue TexShare or ILL items