HOW-TO GUIDE

Borrow library resources

Find out how to borrow items from any LASUSTECH library, manage your loans, and avoid fines.

Get your TCard

Your TCard is your library borrowing card. It’s your key to accessing our services at LASUSTECH Libraries.

LASUSTECH students, faculty, and staff

For alumni, visitors, and scholars

Library Membership Services can connect you to available options—email us or visit in person. No appointment required.

Borrow items from any library

Use your TCard or library card to borrow materials from any LASUSTECH library. You can borrow:

  • Books and print materials
  • DVDs, CDs, and Blu-rays
  • Journals and magazines (where loanable)
  • Technology or equipment (availability varies by location)

Designate a proxy borrower

  • Faculty and staff may designate another eligible borrower to pick up items on their behalf.
  • Proxy borrowing may be available to students unable to visit due to disability.
Application form

Request an item from another campus

  1. Click Request in LibrarySearch.
  2. Choose your preferred pickup location.
  3. You’ll receive an email when it’s ready (usually in a few days).
  4. Items are typically held for 7 days.

Get more information on requesting items for pick up.

Can’t find what you need?
  • Use interlibrary loan to request it from another library.
  • Available to current students, faculty, and staff.
  • Delivery times depend on the lending institution.

Borrowing periods and limits

Borrowing policies depend on your user group and the type of material. Most books renew automatically unless someone else places a request.

Standard loans

  • Most users can borrow items for 120 days.
  • Items renew automatically as long as no one else requests them and your account is in good standing.

Short-term items

  • Some materials (e.g., course reserves, equipment) have shorter borrowing periods.
  • Renewals may be limited—check the item details in LibrarySearch.

Borrowing periods by user group

Typical 120-day loans for books; shorter for reserves/equipment.

Similar to undergraduates with extended research loans in some cases.

Longer loans for print books where available; subject to recall.

Standard loan periods; renewals apply where eligible.

Limited borrowing privileges; check membership terms.

Reading privileges; borrowing varies by membership.

Privileges via partner agreements; terms vary.

Borrowing subject to membership class.

Standard periods, subject to program entitlements.

Renew or return items

If you’re a current student (including Continuing Education), faculty, or staff, most of your items will renew automatically—provided no one else is waiting and your account is in good standing.

Items won’t renew if:

  • Someone else requests the item.
  • Your account has a block (e.g., unpaid fines).
  • Your borrowing privileges have expired.

You’ll get an email if something needs to be returned.

Automatic renewal

  • Two days before your item is due, the system tries to renew it for you.
  • If someone places a request, the system will recall it and set a new due date (usually 14 days from the hold).
  • You’ll get an email with the new due date or a reminder to return it.

Returning your items

You can return library materials to any LASUSTECH library, but it’s best to return them to the one you borrowed them from when possible.

Fines and lost items

We don’t charge overdue fines for most regular books and media. Some items still accrue fines, and if your total fines reach a threshold, your account may be blocked until paid.

Fines are charged when:

  • Short-term loan items (like course reserves) are overdue by more than 24 hours.
  • Recalled items aren’t returned within 14 days.

How much are fines?

  • Regular books or media (recalled): $0.50 per day, per item.
  • Short-term and course reserve items: $0.50 per hour, per item.
  • Recalled items not returned within 14 days: $2.00 per day, per item.

Lost or damaged items

If an item isn’t returned within 42 days of the due date, it will be considered lost and a replacement fee added to your account. Damaged items may incur repair charges. Typical fees include:

  • Lost book or media: $145 per item
  • Lost bound journal: $145 per item
  • Damaged item repair fee: $45 per item

Waiving fines

In some cases, fines or fees may be reduced or forgiven (e.g., medical emergencies). Documentation may be required. We generally don’t waive fines for:

  • Forgetting the due date
  • Not getting reminder emails
  • Not knowing the library’s policies
  • Lending an item to someone else