Borrowing

Who Can Borrow

These borrowing policies have been instituted to insure equitable access to materials for as many patrons as possible. The University Libraries are open to adult members of the public, but direct borrowing privileges are restricted to:

• UMass Lowell Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni
• Massachusetts Public University, State or Community College Students and Faculty (See eligible institutions)
• Boston Library Consortium (BLC) card holders
• UML Libraries Corporate Membership holders
• Massachusetts Residents with state issued ID (such as a Massachusetts driver's license)
• Massachusetts State Park Rangers
• LIRA members

Other individuals may ask their public libraries to request UMass Lowell Libraries material on their behalf.

Registration

Those wishing to borrow library materials, including Reserve items, must register with the UMass Lowell Libraries. You may register in person at the circulation desk at either Lydon or O'Leary Library. (A valid photo identification must be presented.)

• UMass Lowell students, faculty and staff must register with their UMass Lowell "UCARD" IDs.
• UMass Lowell Alumni must register with a UMass Lowell Alumni ID card (available through the Alumni Office) and a valid driver’s license or state issued photo ID.
• Massachusetts Public University, State or Community College Students and Faculty must register with a current photo ID from their school.
• BLC card holders must register with the BLC card issued by their home institution and valid school photo ID or driver’s license.
• Lowell Public Library patrons must register with a valid Lowell Public Library card and driver’s license or state issued photo ID.
• Friends of the UMass Lowell Libraries must register with a driver’s license or state issued photo ID.
• Massachusetts State Park rangers should contact Ellen MJ Keane to arrange for borrowing privileges.
• LIRA members must register with their LIRA cards.

Borrow UML Items

Patrons may borrow library materials by bringing them to the circulation desk and checking them out up until 15 minutes before closing time at Lydon and O'Leary Libraries. The circulation desk in Lydon Library is located on the 1st floor. The circulation desk in O'Leary Library is on the 4th floor.

• UMass Lowell students, faculty and staff must present their UMass Lowell (UCARD) IDs to borrow items from the Libraries.
• UMass Lowell Alumni must present their UMass Lowell Alumni ID card to borrow.
• BLC Card holders must present the BLC card issued by their home institution at check out.
• All other patrons must present their UMass Lowell Libraries issued Special Borrower’s Card at check out.

Renew UML Items

• Go to the library's online catalog: https://uml.on.worldcat.org
• Click on the "Sign In" button at the upper right.
• Sign in with your UMS number (Some long time users will need to enter the 16 digit number from their IDs) and password.
• Click on your name in the button at the upper right.
• You will see the UML materials you have checked out. Click the "Renew" button next to the title to renew the item.
• You will see a message confirming the renewal and the new due date.

Other Materials: Loan Period, Limit, and Renewal Policies for UMass Lowell University Library

Policies for non-book materials are the same for all borrowers.

*Material may not be renewed if another patron has placed a request for it or if it is needed for Course Reserves.

Books: Loan Period, Limit, and Renewal Policies for UMass Lowell University Library

*Material may not be renewed if another patron has placed a request for it or if it is needed for Course Reserves.
Interlibrary Loan items may be renewable with permission from the lender.

Returning Items

Borrowed materials may be returned to the circulation desk at either Lydon Library or O'Leary Library any time the libraries are open.

Overdue and Lost Items

Overdue fines are not charged at the University Libraries. Patrons are asked to borrow responsibly and please return material on time so that everyone may use it fairly. If material is needed for longer than the borrowing period, it may be renewed online.

When an item becomes more than 28 days overdue, it is considered lost. A $100.00 replacement fee is charged. Alternatively, a lost book may be replaced by a new copy of the same book in its most recent edition. Please contact UML Library before purchasing a replacement to verify the edition that you select will be accepted. If the lost book is no longer available in print, the fee must still be paid.

To pay University Library or Center for Lowell History fees via credit/debit card, please go to the UML Library e-store page.

Alternatively, you may mail a check (made out to UMass Lowell) or come in person with cash to the address below. 

Sarah Manchester
UMass Lowell - O'Leary Library, Room 240
61 Wilder Street
Lowell, MA 01854