Skip to Main Content

Borrowing Policy

Checking Out Materials

At Rentschler Library, your Miami ID card IS your library card! Students, faculty, and staff can use their valid Miami ID to borrow materials from Rentschler Library’s collection and can come to the main counter to pick up their requests from other Miami University Libraries or OhioLINK. All others should please see the “Community Borrowers” policy for more details on how to obtain library resources.

Returning Materials

Checked out materials can be returned to any of the Miami University Libraries. On the Hamilton campus, you can return items to the circulation counter in the library, by using the dropbox located just west of the library’s doors (towards the restrooms), or the convenient 24-hour dropbox located outside of Schwarm Hall that faces the parking lot.

Book Loan Periods

  • Undergraduates: 3 weeks
  • Graduate Students: 1 semester
  • Faculty: Until June 30th of that academic year
  • All Others: 3 weeks

Please Note: Books have unlimited renewals allowed. However, library materials are a shared resource, and all items are subject to Recall after 3 weeks if another user needs them. Items needed for course reserves are subject to immediate Recall. Please check your email and library account for accurate due date information.

Additional Loan Periods

  • Equipment: Varies. See the Equipment You Can Borrow page for checkout periods, late charges, and replacement costs.
  • Audiovisual Materials (DVDs, VHS Tapes, CDs, etc): 1 week. No renewals.
  • Reserve Materials: Loan periods vary from 2 hours in house use only to 7 days, depending upon the faculty request.
  • Group Study Rooms (for 2 or more people): 2 hours (depending on availability). Can be checked out again if no one else has requested the room. These rooms are heavily used, so it is advised that you reserve one ahead of time by calling (513) 785-3235.
  • OhioLINK Requests: Students and visitors can check out books for 3 weeks, with a maximum of 6 renewals. Faculty are able to check out books for 6 weeks, with a maximum of 6 renewals. Renewals will not be permitted if another user requests the borrowed item. Media items can be borrowed for 1 week by all patron types; no renewals permitted.

Overdue Notices

These are emailed to your email address on record as a courtesy once items have become overdue. It is the borrower’s responsibility to return or renew items on or before the due date, regardless of whether an overdue notice was received. Due dates can be viewed and renewals can be completed online by going to your library account.