Borrowing Policy
Who can borrow items from the Library?
Active faculty, faculty emeriti, students, and staff with a valid Wheaton ID may borrow materials in person.
Faculty, staff, and students from HELIN Consortium member institutions may also borrow materials from certain collections. HELIN members must present a valid college or university ID at the Information Desk.
While in the building, guests and alumni are welcome to access our print collection. If you would like to check out a book, please bring a current photo ID to the Information Desk in the Atrium.
How long can I keep my items?
Students
- Most circulating items are due the last day of finals each semester.
- Course reserves can be borrowed for 2 hours.
- Items from the board game collection can be borrowed for 7 days.
- Chargers and dongles can be borrowed for 4 hours.
- GoPros, the button maker, and other equipment can be borrowed for 7 days.
Most items you check out from Wallace Library’s collection can be renewed once through your library account as long as another user has not placed a hold on the item.
- HELIN items can be borrowed for 28 days and can be renewed once.
- Interlibrary Loan items are due on the date indicated on the label on the front of the item. To request a renewal, subject to approval by the lending library, email discovery_access@wheatoncollege.edu.
Faculty, Faculty Emeriti, and Staff
- Most circulating items are due the last day of finals each semester.
- Course reserves can be borrowed for 2 hours.
- Items from the board game collection can be borrowed for 7 days.
- Chargers and dongles can be borrowed for 4 hours.
- GoPros, the button maker, and other equipment can be borrowed for 7 days.
Most items you check out from Wallace Library’s collection can be renewed three times through your library account as long as another user has not placed a hold on the item.
- HELIN items can be borrowed for 28 days and can be renewed once.
- Interlibrary Loan items are due on the date indicated on the label on the front of the item. To request a renewal, subject to approval by the lending library, email discovery_access@wheatoncollege.edu.
Alumni and Guests
Alumni and guests may check out up to 5 books for 28 days. Any book you check out can be renewed once as long as another user has not placed a hold on the book. To renew, please call 508-286-8224 or email discovery_access@wheatoncollege.edu.
What happens if I don’t return my items on time or I lost or damaged an item?
Students
For most circulating items, you will receive automated notifications from the library system before the item’s due date, on the item’s due date, and when the item is two days overdue. If you have not returned the item within seven days of its due date, your borrowing privileges will be blocked. You will receive an email notification of this block. Once you return the overdue items, your borrowing privileges will be reinstated.
When you borrow items with shorter borrowing periods (2 hours to 7 days), you will receive similar automated notifications about the item’s due date and time. If you do not return the items within 24 hours of their due date and time, your borrowing privileges will be blocked. You will receive an email notification of this block. Once you return the overdue items, your borrowing privileges will be reinstated.
If you have lost or damaged an item, please email us at discovery_access@wheatoncollege.edu or stop by the Information Desk between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm weekdays. We will work with you to resolve the issue and reinstate your borrowing privileges. Intentional damage of library materials may incur repair or replacement fees at the discretion of library personnel. Lost or damaged interlibrary loan items will incur the repair or replacement fee set by the lending library.
| Item Type | Borrowing Length | Renewals | First Email Reminder | Second Email Reminder | Third Email Reminder | Borrowing Privileges Blocked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most circulating items | Until last day of finals each semester | One, as long as no holds on item | 15 days before end of finals | On due date | 2 days after due date | 7 days after due date |
| Course reserves | 2 hours | One, as long as no holds on item | At due time | 2 hours after due time | n/a | 24 hours after due time |
| Chargers, Dongles | 4 hours | One, as long as no holds on item | 30 minutes before due time | At due time | 4 hours after due time | 24 hours after due time |
| Board Games & Miscellaneous Objects | 7 days | One, as long as no holds on item | 2 days before due date | On due date | n/a | 24 hours after due date |
| HELIN items | 28 days | One, as long as no holds on item | Varies, set by lending library | Varies, set by lending library | Varies, set by lending library | 7 days after due date |
| Interlibrary loan items | Varies, set by lending library | Varies, set by lending library | 2 days before due date | On due date | 2 days after due date | 7 days after due date |
Faculty, Faculty Emeriti, and Staff
For most circulating items, you will receive automated notifications from the library system before the item’s due date, on the item’s due date, and when the item is two days overdue. If you have not returned the item within seven days of its due date, your borrowing privileges will be blocked. You will receive an email notification of this block. Once you return the overdue items, your borrowing privileges will be reinstated.
When you borrow items with shorter borrowing periods (2 hours to 7 days), you will receive similar automated notifications about the item’s due date and time. If you have not returned the item within seven days of its due date, your borrowing privileges will be blocked. You will receive an email notification of this block. Once you return the overdue items, your borrowing privileges will be reinstated.
If you have lost or damaged an item, please email us at discovery_access@wheatoncollege.edu or stop by the Information Desk between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm weekdays. We will work with you to resolve the issue and reinstate your borrowing privileges. Intentional damage of library materials may incur repair or replacement fees at the discretion of library personnel. Lost or damaged interlibrary loan items will incur the repair or replacement fee set by the lending library.
| Item Type | Borrowing Length | Renewals | First Email Reminder | Second Email Reminder | Third Email Reminder | Borrowing Privileges Blocked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most circulating items | Until last day of finals each semester | Three, as long as no holds on item | 15 days before end of finals | On due date | 2 days after due date | 7 days after due date |
| Course reserves | 2 hours | Three, as long as no holds on item | At due time | 2 hours after due time | n/a | 24 hours after due time |
| Chargers & dongles | 4 hours | Three, as long as no holds on item | 30 minutes before due time | At due time | 4 hours after due time | 24 hours after due time |
| Board Games & Miscellaneous Objects | 7 days | Three, as long as no holds on item | 2 days before due date | On due date | n/a | 24 hours after due time |
| HELIN items | 28 days | One, as long as no holds on item | Varies, set by lending library | Varies, set by lending library | Varies, set by lending library | 7 days after due date |
| Interlibrary loan items Varies, set by lending library Varies, set by lending library 2 days before due date On due date | Interlibrary loan items | Varies, set by lending library | Varies, set by lending library | On due date | 2 days after due date | 7 days after due date |
Alumni and Guests
Please return items when they are due. Unreturned items or intentional damage to items such as highlighting or writing on pages, using books as coasters, etc. will result in loss of library privileges.
Last updated April 21, 2025