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Borrowing at JMU Libraries

You may use your JMU Access Card (JACard) or other photo ID to borrow items at a service desk in any library location. If you need an item that is not in our collections, you can request it through Interlibrary Loan.

Who Can Borrow?

The following patron types may borrow items from JMU Libraries. Select a patron type for more information.

JMU Students

Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and continuing education students who are currently enrolled. The Libraries also offers resources for online students on our Online, Hybrid, and Distance Learning page.

JMU Faculty, Staff, and University Affiliates

Faculty and staff currently working for JMU, or those holding emeriti status.

JMU Affiliate patron status includes visiting scholars and employees of some campus support organizations such as Dining Services and the Bookstore.  Affiliate accounts may require an updated ID from Card Services to function in library card swipes.

Community Borrowers

The following groups are eligible for the Community Borrowers patron type.

  • Massanutten Regional Library patrons
  • Rockingham Memorial Hospital employees
  • Virginia state teachers, borrowers and emeriti from participating VIVA institutions
  • Those with a current school ID from Bridgewater College, Blue Ridge Community College, or Eastern Mennonite University.

Community borrower accounts can be created at a service desk at Rose Library, the Music Library, or JMU Libraries Express. You must provide the appropriate identification along with a valid photo ID and be at least 16 years of age.

Please note: some services are not available to community borrowers, such as Interlibrary Loan and overnight checkout of equipment.

Proxy Patrons

Current JMU Libraries borrowers may authorize another person (“proxy patron”) to check out library materials for them. The materials are checked out to the library borrowers’ account and given to the proxy patron.

To initiate and use proxy patron status:

  • Email askthelibrary@jmu.edu with the name and email address of the proxy patron you would like to authorize to check out materials for you. Please include the reason for your proxy patron request.
  • When checking out materials, the proxy patron will be required to provide a valid ID and the library borrower’s name on whose account the materials will be checked out.

Details of proxy patron status:

  • The library borrower remains responsible for anything checked out on their account by a proxy patron.
  • By authorizing a proxy patron, the library borrower agrees that the proxy patron will have access to materials that otherwise are held as private.
  • Proxy patron authorization will expire July 31 of the current year, unless an earlier date is requested. The library borrower will be notified and may request renewal at the time of expiration.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) provides a similar “Authorized User” service. ILL patrons may designate authorized users directly within their ILL account.

Additionally, all library spaces and some resources are available to anyone, regardless of patron status. See our Services for Visitors and Alumni and these open access databases.

Loan Period & Renewal Eligibility

Item TypeLoan PeriodRenewals
Books and other general collections4 MonthsStudents and Community Borrowers = 2 renewals
Faculty and Staff = unlimited
Journals/periodicals; Reference books; Collected edition music scores4 DaysNo Renewals
Audio & Video; Popular Books4 WeeksStudents and Community Borrowers = 2 renewals
Faculty and Staff = unlimited
Course Reserves4 hours or 4 days (4-hour or overnight in Music Library)No Renewals
Loan period and renewal eligibility by item type

Renewals

You have four options for renewing items. These do not apply to renewing Interlibrary Loan items.

Recalls

Sometimes, we need to notify you that you must bring back an item before its original due date. This is called a “recall.” Items can be recalled by library staff or by a library patron who requests an item that’s currently on loan.

If your item is recalled, you will receive an email notice confirming the new due date, which is typically 10 days from the time of the recall. To regain access to a recalled item you may request to receive it back as soon as it is available again, or work with Interlibrary Loan to borrow a different copy from outside our collections.

Questions about recalls may be sent to askthelibrary@jmu.edu.

Returns

In-Person Returns

Book drop return bin
Use book drops for returns at any time

Books and media may be returned to any of our library locations during operating hours. You may also return these items at any time to one of our book drops.

All equipment should be returned to the library location from which it was originally checked out.

Campus Mail Returns

Books and media that fit into an interoffice mail envelope may be sent to us via campus mail. Send them to MSC 1704.

Returns via U.S. Postal Service

You may mail books and media back to us at this address:

The Hub
MSC 1704
James Madison University
771 Duke Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Returns 

You may return ILL items at any library location or book drop. Please contact interlib@jmu.edu with questions about mailing ILL items.