The Library primarily serves the students, faculty, and staff of the Meadville Lombard Theological School. Students and faculty of the other ACTS Schools have borrowing privileges, while students from the University of Chicago have access privileges only. In addition, we are able to lend materials off campus to UU ministers and Directors of Religious Education with some restrictions (see below).

Researchers with appropriate credentials may have access to the open stacks and may request materials from closed parts of the collection. Please contact the Director of the Library for more information.

Fines
Books are due at the end of the quarter (or as stated below for non-ML patrons). Please renew books if you need them beyond their due dates. You may renew items over the phone, by mail or e-mail, or in person. All books must be returned on or before the last day of spring quarter. You will be notified when fines begin to accrue.

The patron is responsible for replacement costs on any book that is lost. Current students will be unable to graduate until they have settled such fines with the library.
 
Book check-out
All circulating materials should have both a white and a blue circulation card in a book pocket. Sign each card legibly and place in the check-out box located in the card catalog area. You do not need to date the cards. Books are due at the end of the quarter. Return materials to the return book cart located in the library reading room.

Reserve books
Reserve materials may be signed out for overnight use after 3:00 p.m. and returned by 9:00 a.m. the following morning (except weekends). Sign the blue card only. Return reserve materials either to a library staff person or to the return book cart in the reading room.

Non-circulating items
Periodicals, pamphlets, rare books, reference materials, archival materials, and MTS theses are non-circulating. Except for copying, non-circulating materials must be used in the reading room. If you need to use materials in another area, e.g., Curtis Room, Chapel, etc., please sign out and be responsible for returning the item promptly.

Book recall
If you cannot find an item, notify the library staff. If the item is checked out, it can be recalled for you.

Renewals
Books may be renewed by mail, telephone, fax, email, or in person. Exception: all materials must be returned at the end of spring quarter for the end-of-the-year recall.

Interlibrary loan
If there is a book that we do not have and it is available at another library, you may request an interlibrary loan. Simply fill out a form at the circulation desk or contact the Associate Librarian.

Exceptions for ACTS
Students and faculty from the ACTS schools must present current identification and fill out a brief form in the library office before checking out materials; a limit of three books may be checked out.

Exceptions for UU Ministers and Directors of Religious Education
UU Ministers and DREs may request up to three books to be mailed to them. Items may be checked out for up to one month. A small fee will be charged for photocopy requests.