Borrowing

Borrowing from Us:

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Who can borrow library materials?

Active Faculty, Staff and Students of the University of Pittsburgh with a VALID ID card may borrow books: No other form of identification is accepted. (Your ID card is your library card.) If you have not yet received your ID card, you may go to Panther Central in the Litchfield Towers lobby to get your card. 

If you are not affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, there are several options available to you to obtain borrowing privileges. Please click here to see if you are eligible. 

Most Circulation functions are available in All ULS Libraries. Some circulation services must be performed by full-time staff. If you plan to visit a ULS Library late night or on weekends, please call ahead to make sure the services you require will be available 

If you are a student from another school and are cross registered at the University of Pittsburgh for the current academic term please contact the Hillman Library Lending Desk to obtain the necessary information for access to your ULS library account. 412-648-7800

Please remember that ID cards are not transferable.

Borrower's Responsibilties
-Faculty-Students-Staff-

  • You are responsible for all materials checked out on your ID and any fees or damages incurred until the item is returned.
  • ID cards and responsibility are not transferable, do not loan your ID or borrowed items to others. Also, do not depend on others to return items for you.
  • Report a lost or stolen ID immediately to the University ID Center 412-624-7643. Also report it to the Hillman Library lending desk. 412-648-7800.
  • It is the responsibility of the borrower to note the time or date that the material is due. Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy. Failure to receive these notices does not remove the borrower's obligation to return material by the due date, nor does it constitute grounds for reducing a borrower's fines.
  • Please be aware that when materials are recalled the loan period will be shortened. The new due date is noted on the recall notice. Also- Items may be recalled at any time. If you plan to be out of town it is your responsibility to have materials returned on time. It's recommended that items should be returned prior to travel.
  • If you receive overdue notices for materials that you believe have been returned, contact the ULS library specified on the notice or the Hillman Library lending desk. 412-648-7800
  • The borrowing of any materials from the ULS constitutes agreement by the borrower to abide by the rules and regulations of the ULS borrowing policies. Please note: you are responsible for knowing the ULS borrowing policies.

*State privacy law (PA ACT 1984-90, section 428) prohibits ULS staff from releasing any information concerning your library records without proper ID (your Pitt ID). Also, we cannot release information to a third party acting as your representative.

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Where can I return library materials? 

Materials borrowed from any ULS Library can be returned to any other ULS library on campus. We also have courtesy discharge for non-ULS libraries, although we cannot renew books from these libraries 

    Falk (Scaife Hall)
    Nursing (Learning Resources Center)
    WPIC
    Law

Please make all returns directly to the circulation desk . Most ULS libraries have book return bins when closed.

For address information, please contact Hillman Library at (412) 648-7800.

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Renewals

Telephone Renewals
Renewing Your Books Online
Faculty Term Loan Renewals

Telephone Renewals

412-648-7806

Telephone renewals are available during regular Hillman Library hours.   When calling to renew, please have the following information ready: 

  • Your University of Pittsburgh ID card or Special Borrowers Card number. 
  • The barcode numbers of the books you wish to renew. 

Privacy laws prohibit us from releasing information concerning your records over the telephone, so please have the above information ready when you call. 

Telephone renewal restrictions:  Books that circulate for four weeks may be renewed up to three times.  Books that circulate for two weeks can only be renewed once. Special Borrowers may renew their books once for another two weeks.

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Renewing Your Books Online

To renew your books online using PITTCat:

  1. connect to PITTCat, the online catalog of the University of Pittsburgh libraries
  2. from the main screen choose My Account
  3. enter your University ID# under Patron Barcode and your last name under the Last Name field and click OK
  4. a list of titles charged to your account appears. Click the checkbox under the Renew? column next to those titles you want to renew. Click Renew Items.
  5. confirm that all books were actually renewed. Some books may have had holds or recalls placed on them which prevent renewal.
  6. You may also request to have books renewed by presenting your ID card at any one of the ULS Libraries.
  7. Patrons can also access any outstanding fines, requests, or verify their current mailing address.
  8. If you want to verify your renewals or have questions about online renewals please call 412-648-7800.

Online renewal restrictions:  Books that circulate for four weeks may be renewed up to three times.  Books that circulate for two weeks can only be renewed once. Special Borrowers may renew their books once for another two weeks. Note: Items that have been recalled, or those whose renewal limit has been reached, will return a "Not Renewed" message. Also, if you have more than ten items overdue, have fines in excess of $25.00, or if your registration has expired, you will not be able to renew online.

Faculty Term Loan Renewals

The new faculty loan policy is a term loan with unlimited renewals.

To renew your term loan books online using PITTCat:

  1. Log onto PITTCat
  2. Click on My Account
  3. Enter your University ID number and last name
  4. Check each box next to the item that you want to renew and then click the RENEW ITEMS button
  5. Confirm that all books were actually renewed. Some books may have had Recalls or Holds placed on them which will prevent renewal.
  6. You may also request to have books renewed by presenting your ID card at any one of the ULS Libraries.

Online renewal restrictions:  Books that circulate for four weeks may be renew up to three times.  Books that circulate for two weeks can only be renewed once.  Special borrowers may renew their books once for another two weeks. Note: Items that have been recalled, or those whose renewal limit has been reached, will return a "Not Renewed" message.

Theft of and Damage to Library Materials
 
Theft, damage, or destruction of library materials and furnishings are prohibited. Theft of library materials is prohibited by Pennsylvania law (Title 18, 3929.1) Persons who damage or destroy library property may be subject to disciplinary review, which could result in a reprimand, loss of privileges, replacement fees, probation or suspension. Damage to library materials includes, but is not limited to: spillage from food and drink; writing in the margins; and underlining in pencil, pen, or other markers.