Borrowing & Renewing Books

How long can I borrow material for?
How may items can I have out on my card
How do I renew what I’ve already got out?
Where do I return books?
What happens if I have something overdue?
What happens if I lose something?
Will the Library ever ask for an item to be brought back early?
How do I request something that is already out on loan?
Is there anything in the Library that I can’t take out?
What if someone else uses my CPIT ID Card?
Can I borrow from another library?
Can I request something that is on the shelf?

How long can I borrow material for?

The normal loan period is two weeks from the day the item is issued.

• Three hour loan, for use within the library, or may be borrowed overnight from 3 hours before the library closes until opening time the next morning
  
• Three day loan
  

I am at Sullivan Avenue, can I borrow material?

You can have material sent to you at Sullivan Avenue by placing a request on the Library Catalogue using your username and password. more

How many items can I have out on my card?

There is no limit on the number of items you can have. However please don't borrow everything on a particular subject area and leave nothing for the next person.

How do I renew what I’ve already got out?

Items on loan can be renewed once before the due date. To do this you can:

• Go to the library catalogue, click on the My Info tab and do your own renewals.  For more information on renewing online see Renewing and Reserving.
• phone up on 03–940 8366 (have your CPIT ID Card handy when you ring)
• fax us on 03–940 8140
• call in to the Checkout desk with your CPIT ID Card and we can do it on the spot (You don’t need to have the books with you).

If an item has a request on it for another borrower we will not renew it, but instead ask you to bring it back as soon as possible.

Where do I return books?

You can return material to "Returns" at the Checkout Desk, or through the After Hours Book Returns slot in Coventry Street when the library is closed.

What happens if I have something overdue?

Please bring it back, you will not be able to have anything else issued if you have something overdue. After 3 days you will receive an overdue notice. This is your prompt to rush in with your overdues!

Please refer to Library Fines.

What happens if I lose something?

This can happen to any of us! We will ask you to wait until you receive your first overdue notice – things have an uncanny habit of jumping out from under the bed when you least expect it. If it doesn’t show up you will be asked to pay the replacement cost of the lost item + a $40 lost item processing fee + a $10 administration fee.

Will the Library ever ask for an item to be brought back early?

Yes, occasionally. This normally happens when something is urgently needed by many of your colleagues. Recalling it allows us to put it into the High Use Collection and make it available to everyone. If this happens, please bring the item back as soon as possible.

How do I request something that is already out on loan?

If the catalogue indicates something is On Loan or Overdue, you can request it online using your username & password. We will let you know via email when it becomes available. For more information on reserving online see Renewing and Reserving.

Is there anything in the Library that I can’t take out?

• Magazines. Most of these are for use in the Library unless they are clearly marked with a green sticker indicating they can be borrowed.
• Videos/DVDs from the Academic Collection. You are welcome to view these in the Library. There are three video players available. Headphones and videos are issued at the Checkout desk.  There are borrowable videos/DVDs in the general collection which you may borrow.
• "Not For Loan" material in the general collection.  Often there will be additional copies available for loan.
• "Not For Loan" material in the Reference Collection (housed with the High Use Collection).
• 3HR loan material from the High Use Collection must be used in the Library unless you have had it issued for overnight use.

What if someone else uses my CPIT ID Card?

Your CPIT ID Card is non–transferable. This means that if someone else uses it and takes anything out on your card you are responsible and will have to pay for any losses. We will never knowingly issue material to anyone other than the valid card holder. The best advice is ... don’t lend out your CPIT ID Card.

If you lose your CPIT ID Card, please let us know immediately. This will ensure that nobody else takes anything out on your card.

You can get a new CPIT ID Card produced at the security desk in the Atrium for a $10 fee.

Can I borrow from another library?

CPIT has a reciprocal borrowing agreement with the other members of the Canterbury Tertiary Alliance: Canterbury University and Lincoln University. You can enrol there using your CPIT ID card.

Can I request something that is on the shelf?

Yes, you can. Place a request on the Library catalogue using your username and password.  The item can then be collected from the Checkout Desk.