Circulation Policy

ID requirements

1. Patrons must have a Universities of Wisconsin ID or NEW ERA card to borrow items.
   • If a patron has a UW-Green Bay ID or a NEW ERA card, they can use a government-issued photo ID to borrow items.
2. If a faculty member wishes to allow someone else to borrow items in their name, they must fill out a Faculty Authorization Form to allow this.
   • The person assigned must have borrowing privileges through their own card.

Community privileges

1. Patrons who are at least 18 years old and live in Wisconsin may apply for a free Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance (NEW ERA) borrower’s card.
2. Patrons must provide a valid photo ID and proof of their current Wisconsin address.
3. If the patron does not have proof of their current address, they will receive their card by mail.
4. Cards are valid for one year from the application date and may be renewed.
5. Patrons may borrow up to 10 books at a time.

Loan periods by patron type

Renewals by patron type

*Additional renewals may be granted to faculty or staff that have reached the renewal limit. An extension is subject to approval by the Coordinator of Public Services, for the following reasons:

1. Sabbatical
2. Extended research project
3. Writing a journal article or book
4. Personal medical reason

Renewal requests must contain a list of all items to be renewed. Items may not be renewed more than six times.

1. Borrowers are responsible for items checked out to them.
2. Borrowers are responsible for returning or renewing items by their due date.

• Items may be returned to any UW library. However, items will not be checked in until they arrive at their final location, which could cause an item to become overdue or go into lost status, resulting in fees.

3. Borrowers are responsible for overdue and replacement fees for lost or damaged items.

1. If an item is returned late, there may be overdue fees, replacement costs, and/or processing charges associated with it.
2. Patrons with fines may be blocked from further borrowing privileges.
   1. Community patrons will be blocked if they have $5.00 or more in fines.
   2. Faculty, staff, and students will be blocked if they have $200.00 or more in fines.
3. An item will be moved to lost status when it is 28 days overdue. Items in lost status will incur a replacement fee.
4. Replacement fee will be waived for an item if it is returned within 28 days past the lost status date.
5. Unauthorized possession of library materials violates Wisconsin state statutes. WI Stat § 943.61

Overdue and replacement charges by item type

*Laptops must be returned to the circulation desk to avoid charges. Patron is responsible for damage or overdue fees for laptops returned elsewhere.

Fine appeals

1. Patrons may appeal a fine within 28 calendar days from the fine notice.
2. Appeals will be reviewed and answered within two weeks from the date submitted.
3. The decision made by the Library is final and binding.
4. Decisions are based on a statement provided by the patron, the patron’s library record, previous appeals made by the patron, the total amount due on the account, and any other relevant information.
5. The following are NOT reasons on which an appeal may be based:
   • lack of understanding of library circulation policies
   • non-receipt of a notice
   • forgetting due dates
   • disagreement with library fine/fee structure
   • inability to pay fines/fees
   • materials loaned to a third party
   • materials returned to wrong library
   • being out of town

1. A patron may put circulating items on hold at the main circulation desk or online via Search@UW. Books will be held for ten days; periodicals will be held for one day. Laptops cannot be put on hold. 
2. Distance Education students living outside the counties of Brown and Sheboygan may have items ordered through resource sharing mailed to their address. 
   1. The Library will use the address on file with the University.
   2. Items mailed to patrons are checked out before they are sent. Patrons are responsible for any loss or damage that occurs in the return mailing process.
   3. Patrons may return items via mail at their own expense or to their nearest UW library.

Requests may be made by UW-Green Bay students, faculty, staff, and emeriti for items held by other libraries.

1. Patrons may request an unlimited number of items.
2. Course reserves, streaming media, and physical copies of journals may not be requested.
3. Patrons will be notified by email on request status/availability.
4. Patrons will have ten days to pick up a physical item from the circulation desk before it is returned to the lending library.
5. Electronic items will remain available in the patron’s account for 30 days. Electronic items may be retrieved/downloaded up to 100 times.
6. Loan periods are set by the lending library.
7. Renewals are allowed at the discretion of the lending library.
8. Lost or damaged items from another UW library will be billed at the standard replacement cost of $100. Additional processing fees may apply.
9. Lost or damaged items from a non-UW library are subject to replacement and other applicable fees as determined by the lending library.
10. The Library will try to borrow materials at no cost; however, sometimes other libraries charge a fee for the use of their materials.
    1. The Library will not pay for requests from undergraduate students.
    2. The Library may pay up to $50 per item for requests by faculty, staff, and graduate students. The patron will be responsible for charges exceeding this amount. Library staff will contact the patron to verify cost prior to finalizing the request.

1. Reservable rooms are available to current UW-Green Bay students, faculty, and staff.
2. Reservations are for 3-hour blocks and may be made up to 14 days in advance.
3. Keys may be renewed if there is no following reservation.
4. Renewals may occur within 15 minutes of the end of the reserved time period.
5. Keys must be returned 15 minutes prior to Library closing.
6. Any loss or damage to the key/room/property will be charged to the patron who checked out the key.
7. The Library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended.

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 43.30, library records indicating the identity of any individual who borrows or uses the library’s materials, resources, or services will not be disclosed except by court order or to persons acting in the scope of their duties in the administration of the library.

University of Wisconsin – Green Bay Library | Circulation Policy | Approved: May 2010 | Last revised: June 2025