Courtesy Borrowing Privileges
Borrowing privileges are extended to library users aged 18 or older not affiliated with Oberlin College under one of the following conditions:
- If you are an adult resident of Lorain County (written proof of address required)
- If you work in Lorain County (written proof of employment required)
- If you are a graduate of the college living in Cuyahoga, Ashland, Erie, Huron, Medina, Summit, Portage, or Wayne counties
- If you are a current member of the Friends of the Oberlin College Library.
The valid library card for Oberlin residents is an Oberlin Public Library card. Other borrowers may use their Oberlin Public Library card, or may be issued a courtesy card from the college library. All borrowers must first register at the Main Library circulation desk and provide proof of their current address (driver's license, utility bill, etc.); their library card is then valid at all the college libraries. Alumni ID's are not valid as Oberlin College library cards.
Borrowing privileges expire periodically for the purpose of address verification. Privileges will be renewed as long as you meet one of the criteria listed above and honor the policies of the libraries.
Loan Periods & Fines
Loan periods and fines vary by the format of the material and the current demand for the item. In general, the following rules apply:
| Type of material | Loan period | Fine rate |
| Books & Government Publications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regular | 3 weeks, unless recalled |
$0.20/day |
| Seminar (Conservatory) | 3 days | $0.20/day |
| Recreational Reading | 3 weeks | $0.50/day |
| Faculty Publications | 3 weeks | $0.50/day |
| Reserve | non-circulating | n/a |
courtesy borrowers auditing courses may request reserve borrowing privileges for the duration of the course. Please see a circulation staff supervisor for these privileges. |
varies by material | $2.00/hour |
| Scores | ||
| Oberlin residents | 3 weeks, unless recalled |
$0.20/day |
| Oberlin non-residents | library use only | n/a |
| Bound periodicals | library use only | n/a |
| Unbound periodicals | library use only | n/a |
| Microforms | library use only | n/a |
| Recordings | library use only | n/a |
| Videos/DVDs | 2 days | $3.00/day |
| OhioLINK materials (Friends of the Library only) | ||
| books and microforms | 3 weeks, with up to 4 renewals | $0.50/day |
| audio and video recordings | 1 week, no renewals | $0.50/day |
Borrowers are responsible for returning library materials in good condition by the due date. We suspend your library privileges and bill for the replacement and processing costs of books more than one month overdue. Three such suspensions may result in our revoking privileges permanently.
Recalls
Items currently checked out that are needed by another patron or for Reserve may be recalled. You are notified by mail that the book has been recalled and must be returned immediately. Failure to return the book by the due date results in fines of $10.00/day overdue. We recall books only for Oberlin College students and staff. If you wish to be notified when a book you need is returned, you may request a hold.
Renewals
You may renew library materials as long as they are not on hold for another patron.
Fine payment
All library fines may be paid at the Main Library circulation desk during posted hours. Fine payment may also be mailed in to the library. We bill for fines remaining unpaid for more than six months.