Community Borrowers

Overview

Area residents not affiliated with Miami University may use the resources and services of Rentschler Library through our community borrowers program. Residents must be at least 18 years of age and present library staff with a valid, government-issued identification card (such as a driver’s license or state ID) in order to receive an application. The Rentschler Library Community Borrower’s Card makes it possible to also borrow materials from Middletown’s Gardner-Harvey Library and from SWORD. However, residents wanting to borrow materials from Oxford’s libraries will need to contact the Dean’s Office at King Library (513-529-2800) to fill out an Affiliated Patrons of the Libraries application and submit a $25.00 annual fee. Applications for a community borrower account from Rentschler Library are available at the circulation desk. Guests wanting to use our public computer stations should review our “Use of Public Workstations” policy and our “Policy on Unattended Children,” if applicable.

Guidelines

The following guidelines are subject to change without notification; please ask a library staff person for clarification if you have any questions.

1. Only the person whose name is on the borrower’s card is eligible to check out materials. Friends, relatives, etc. are not allowed to check items out on the borrower’s behalf, even with the borrower’s permission.
2. The owner of the library card is responsible for the return of all materials borrowed with the card and for any fines that may have accumulated.
3. Books may be checked out for 3 weeks.
4. No more than 5 items may be checked out at any one time.
5. Items may be renewed unless they have been requested by another patron.
6. When the library is closed, items may be returned by placing them in the book drop that is located on the north side of Schwarm Hall (facing the parking lot).
7. Interlibrary loan services and off-campus access to databases are not included in community borrowing privileges. Please check with your local public library regarding interlibrary loan service.