Borrowing Options

U of M Affiliated Borrowers

University Faculty and Staff

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Unregistered University Students

1. Graduate students who are not currently registered, but are still working toward their Master’s or Doctoral degree may obtain borrowing privileges by registering for the zero-credit, zero-fee, non-graded registration option (GRAD 999) offered through the Graduate School. Once registered, a graduate student’s University accounts will be reactivated.

All other graduate students, who are not eligible to register for GRAD 999, can complete an “Unregistered Graduates” application. The application can be obtained at the Borrowing Privileges desk at 110 Wilson Library, or downloaded online.

2. Undergraduate students who are not currently registered, but are completing research/honors projects may obtain borrowing privileges by completing an “Unregistered Undergraduates” application. The application can be obtained at the Borrowing Privileges desk at 110 Wilson Library, or downloaded online.

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Research Assistants

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University Retirees
University retirees including faculty, academics and staff are eligible for direct borrowing privileges by obtaining a University of Minnesota ID card (U Card.) The U Card Office can be contacted at 612/626-9900. Retirees have access to the same services, collections, and privileges as those who are currently employed. If you have questions about your status as retired, contact your department or college.

Additional questions regarding borrowing privileges at the University of Minnesota Libraries can be directed to the Borrowing Privileges & Fines office at (612) 624-3383.

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Unaffiliated Borrowing Options

Users not affiliated with the University may obtain a borrower's card in one of the following ways:

1. Join the Friends of the Library
   
   Membership includes limited borrowing privileges at all campus libraries as well as the opportunity to help support and develop the library collections through your membership fee. Annual memberships may vary, but individuals may obtain borrowing privileges with a contribution of $80 or more. *Minnesota Alumni Association members may obtain borrowing privileges at a discounted rate of $40 or more by showing their current alumni membership card. Organizations may obtain borrowing privileges with a contribution of $250 or more. *Non-Profit Organizations may obtain borrowing privileges at a discounted rate of $80. Friends of the Library applications can be picked up at the Borrowing Privileges & Fines desk at 110 Wilson Library or downloaded online.
   
   
   

   Individual privileges include:	Organizational privileges include:
   6-week loan period 2 renewals 25 item check-out limit Recall/hold privileges	6-week loan period 2 renewals 25 item check-out limit Recall/hold privileges
   * Interlibrary Loan privileges, and remote access are not included with membership.

   
   Questions regarding Friends of the Library memberships may be directed to Lanaya Stangret at 612-624-9339.
   
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2. Qualify for Special Borrowing Privileges
   Borrowing Privileges may be obtained if a member of one of the following categories. Required documentation must be provided to receive privileges. Special Borrower's applications can be picked up at the Borrowing Privileges & Fines desk at 110 Wilson Library, or downloaded online.
   
   

   Eligible Special Borrowers	Required Documentation
   Faculty of other accredited institutions of higher education	Copy of appointment letter or contract for the current academic year.
   Graduate students of other accredited institutions and are NOT members of the MINITEX or CLIC library networks	Copy of fee statement or course registration for the current academic term.
   Minnesota State University undergraduate and graduate students	Referral form available from applicant's home library.
   Government Agencies located in the state of Minnesota (one card per location.)	None

   
   

   Special Borrowing Privileges include:

   6-week loan period 2 renewals 350 item check-out limit Recall privileges

   * Interlibrary loan privileges and remote access are not included with membership.

   
   

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3. Law Firms, Attorneys, & Law Students
   Borrowing privileges at the Law Library are available for attorneys, law firms, and law students from Hamline and William Mitchell Universities. Interested parties should contact the Law Library Circulation desk at 612.625.4300 for information.
   
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4. Contact the Interlibrary Loan Office of your nearest public library
   The office will then ask the University to send the specific items you request.
   
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5. Contact the University Libraries' fee-based document delivery services, InfoNow. Document delivery is faster then regular interlibrary loan; prices vary by type of request.
   
   

   For information on both the biomedical sciences, and other disciplines, contact InfoNow, 450B Diehl Hall, 505 Essex Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; phone 612-626-3940; Toll-free: 800-477-6689; Fax: 612-626-3824; Toll-free Fax: 800-343-8636.

   
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Additional questions regarding borrowing privileges at the University of Minnesota Libraries can be directed to the Borrowing Privileges & Fines office at (612) 624-3383.

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