Can't Find a Book
If you cannot locate a book on the shelf, check the Library Catalog to see if the book has been checked out to someone else.
If the book is checked out to another user, depending upon your library card, you may either:
If it is not checked out, please request that a search be conducted by notifying staff at the Circulation Desk or completing a Book Search Request
Circulation Records
See Circulation Records in the Library Policies section.
Do You Think You Returned a Book and Are Being Charged?
If you believe that you have returned the book you are being charged for please complete a Book Return Claim. We will look for this book and call or e-mail you letting you know if we found it or not. You are still responsible for the book if it is not found. Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions at (802) 656-2023 or email Howe Library Circulation.
Forgot Your Library Card?
We will gladly hold books for up to 48 hours for anyone who does not have an identification card. Please make arrangements at the Circulation Desk.
Library Cards
See the Library Cards page for the different types of library cards that are available.
Proxy Cards (Faculty)
Faculty can fill out the Proxy Authorization Form to link another borrower to their own borrowing record.
Loan Periods
All books are subject to recall after you have had them for 14 days.
Materials requested for course reserve are subject to immediate recall. If you do not return an item by the date indicated on the recall notice, you will be fined and lose your borrowing privileges until the item is returned to the library. Borrowers are advised to review the University's Academic Honesty Policy which is available in the Course Catalog.
| Patron Group | Loan Period | Item Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty | renew June 1 | no limit |
| Emeritus Faculty | renew June 1 | no limit |
| Part-time Faculty | 1 semester | 100 books |
| Graduate Students | 1 semester | 100 books |
| Honors Program | 1 semester | 100 books |
| UVM Staff | 1 semester | 100 books |
| Undergraduates | 1 semester | 50 books |
| Continuing Ed | 1 semester | 50 books |
| Alumni | 4 weeks | 10 books |
| Guest Borrower | 4 weeks | 10 books |
| Guest Faculty | 4 weeks | 10 books |
| K-12 Educator | 4 weeks | 10 books |
| VCAL Faculty | 4 weeks | 10 books |
Loan Periods for Other Materials
| Type of Material | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| Popular Reading Books | 2 weeks |
Overdue and Replacement Fees
All library users are subject to replacement charges if an item is not returned by the due date. One overdue notice is sent before a replacement charge is assessed. Failure to receive this notice does not excuse a user from charges.
| Fee Structure | |
|---|---|
| Recall Overdue Charge | $15.00 per item |
| Minimum Replacement Cost | $50.00 per item* |
*Cost of replacement is based on average book price statistics and is subject to change. Cost adjustments are made for expensive items or items that have to be searched for and obtained from the out-of-print market.
Your borrowing privileges may be suspended if you do not return overdue books or do not make arrangements for replacement of lost or damaged books.
Borrowing privileges for holders of other library borrower cards may be revoked after you have been billed for two overdue and/or lost items.
Placing Holds on Checked Out Library Materials
If the item you need has been checked out to someone you may ask to have it held for you when it is returned. Any person having a valid UVM Library Card may have books held for them. You may make hold requests online or at the Circulation Desk. You will be notified when the requested item has been returned. It will be held for you at the Circulation Desk for seven days.
How to Place Holds Online:
- Find the book in the Library Catalog.
- Select "Hold/Recall" option from the top of the screen, which takes you to the Patron Login Screen.
- At the Patron Login Screen enter your UVM Netid/Password and log in.
- Choose "Hold" and click on OK.
- Choose the volume or copy on which you wish to place the hold.
Placing Recalls on Checked Out Library Materials
If the item you need has been checked out to someone you may ask to have it recalled. Only UVM Students, Faculty, and Staff may recall books. You may make recall requests at the Circulation Desk. You will be notified when the requested item has been returned. It will be held for you at the Circulation Desk for ten days. Books may be recalled after they have been checked out for 14 days.
How to Place Recalls Online:
- Find the book in the Library Catalog.
- Select "Hold/Recall" option from the top of the screen, which takes you to the Patron Login Screen.
- At the Patron Login Screen enter your UVM Netid/Password and log in.
- Choose "Recall" and click OK.
- Choose the volume or copy on which you wish to place the recall.
Returning Library Materials
You must return materials borrowed from the David W. Howe Memorial Library to the service desk from which they were borrowed. Books that have been recalled to be placed on Course Reserve are to be returned immediately.
Renewals
You may renew any regularly circulating item, provided another borrower has not placed a hold or recall on it. You can renew your books online at the Patron Information Page, as long as none of your books are overdue.