Currently enrolled College of Charleston students, faculty, staff, who have a valid College of Charleston ID may borrow circulating materials, as well as Friends of the Library and affiliate members with valid identification. Students may borrow circulating material during the summer and between the fall and spring semesters if they have not graduated and present an identification card from the previous semester.
| Material Type | Borrowing Period (amount limit) | Renewals | Overdue Fines (maximum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browsing Books | All patrons - 14 days | No renewals | $0.10/day ($10 max.) |
|
General Collection (stacks, juvenile books, Curriculum Lab) |
Undergraduate - 28 days (no limit on amount) Graduate - 60 days (no limit on amount) Faculty - 180 days (no limit on amount) |
Limit 2 renewals | $0.10/day ($10 max.) |
| Media Collection | All patrons - 3 days (3 item limit) | No renewals | Media $3/day ($30 max.) |
| Microforms | None | N/A | N/A |
| Periodicals | Special Permission Only | N/A | N/A |
| Reference Collection | Special Permission Only | N/A | N/A |
| Reserve Materials | Varies by item | No renewals | Varies by item |
| Special Collections | Special Permission Only | N/A | N/A |
| Technology Items | Varies by item | No renewals | Varies by item |
| PASCAL Books | 12 Weeks | No renewals | Varies by item |
| Interlibrary Loan Items | Varies by Item | Varies | Varies by item |
| For Checkout | Office Supplies for Use |
|---|---|
|
|
CofC Libraries' Patrons may renew materials online through their My Library Account or by contacting the Access & Instruction Desk by phone (843.953.8001) or in person. If items are overdue, patrons must return them and pay all fines before renewing.
Circulating books from the general and browsing collections may be returned to the Access & Instruction Desk or one of the book drops located at the Rivers Green entrance and the AD parking lot off Pitt Street.
All other items (technology, reserves, etc.) must be returned to a staff member at the Access & Instruction Desk.
*Textbook rentals from the CofC Bookstore must be returned to the bookstore.
Before materials are checked out, a patron’s status is checked (including fines, lost material, number of overdue materials, bad check-ins expiration date, inactive borrower, manually delinquent, number of claims returned, and valid class code). If any of these checks show a delinquency, the patron may be blocked from checking out any more materials. Fines are charged for circulating materials returned after the due date. Fines are calculated when items are returned.
|
Circulating Materials Cost |
Maximum Fine |
Grace Period |
|
Overdues $0.10/day |
$10.00 |
2 days |
|
Recalls $0.10/day |
$10.00 None |
Due one week after date due on recall notice |
|
Media $3/day |
$30.00 |
None |
|
Technology – varies by item |
May exceed $100.00 and up to the cost of replacement. |
Varies by item |
Fines over $10.00 are transferred to student eBills for payment each semester prior to the final eBill mailings. The library does not accept cash or check for payment of library fines.
When a student accrues $10.00 or more in fines, no further check out is permitted until all fines are paid.
All patrons are personally responsible for the loss or damage to the books that are checked out in their name. The library is not responsible for returned books that are left in boxes unattended in hallways, doorways, tables, or delivered anywhere except the circulation desk or the official College of Charleston book drops. The library charges a replacement fee for lost or damaged books. The fee varies based on the value of the book. Books that are not returned within 90 days of check out are presumed lost and the patron will be billed appropriately. If the patron returns the book(s), the book replacement fee will be waived, but the patron still owes the $10.00 late fee. If a patron loses five or more items, lending privileges are automatically reviewed and may be suspended. Exceptions will be made in cases of inclement weather.
All patrons are personally responsible for the loss or damage to the materials that are checked out in their name. The library is not responsible for returned materials that are left in boxes unattended in hallways, doorways, tables, or delivered anywhere except the circulation desk or the official College of Charleston book drops. Media should be returned to the Circulation desk and not placed in the book drops. The library charges a replacement fee for lost or damaged material. The fee varies based on the value of the material. Books that are not returned within 90 days of check out are presumed lost and the patron will be billed appropriately. If the patron returns the book(s), the book replacement fee will be waived, but the patron still owes the $10.00 late fee. Media has a shorter loan period and a higher maximum fine. If a patron loses five or more items, lending privileges are automatically reviewed and may be suspended.
Before disputing your fine, remember that:
If you feel that you have a valid fine dispute claim, complete the fine dispute form and the Library will be in touch with you.
You cannot appeal a fine because of:
Laptop Checkout Guidelines
The College requires all students to have their own laptop computer.
If you have a temporary need, library laptops are available for 7-day checkout to College of Charleston Students with a valid Cougar Card.
Library laptop loans are NOT RENEWABLE. There is a $25/day fee for laptops returned late.
By checking out a library laptop and accessories, the individual acknowledges that he/she will be responsible for any theft of or damage to the device and accessories while checked out to that individual. Individuals should report any theft, loss, or damage to the Access and Instruction Desk immediately.
All files or data created on the laptop need to be preserved in a storage medium, such as a USB drive, cloud storage, etc.. Data is wiped periodically throughout the semester.
If you cannot enter the building due to COVID-19-related concerns and are in need of a library laptop, please call the Access and Instruction Desk at 843-953-8000.
If you require a laptop for longer than 7 days, please contact the IT Service Desk at help.charleston.edu. The IT Service Desk has a limited number of long-term loaners if your laptop is broken or if you are unable to purchase a required laptop due to financial hardship. For more information about the College’s laptop requirement, please visit Laptop Requirement - College of Charleston.
MacBook Airs must be returned in person at the Access and Instruction Desk.
Please remove all personal data from the laptop prior to returning it to the Access and Instruction Desk. All personal data will be removed periodically throughout the semester.
Laptops that are severely overdue or feared lost or stolen may be subject to remote locking and wiping to prevent information theft or to assist with recovery.
Access and Instruction Desk staff will check laptops and accessories upon return and any/all fees will be assessed.
Replacement Fees (all replacement fees are subject to an additional $10 processing charge.)
Macbook Air - $999.00.
Minimum damage fee - $79.00
Laptop sleeve - $25.00
Laptop hard cases - $25.00
Power adapter - $79.00
Please contact the Access and Instruction Desk (library@cofc.edu / 843.953.8001) or return the laptop if you experience any problems.
Access & Instruction Desk staff can only provide limited laptop support, especially remotely. More extensive assistance will be referred to IT Support Services at help.charleston.edu.
Find library Macbooks in our Discovery Service by searching "Macbook", "Macbook Airs", "laptop", or "laptops." Below is a screenshot of the Macbook Airs' record. Item in place = available and click SHOW MORE ITEMS button to expand list.
Access Services - Circulation and Shelving
843-953-8001
Brandon Lewter
Access Services Coordinator
(843) 953-4982
Will Breard
Circulation and Shelving Manager
(843) 953-8004
