Frequently Asked Questions at Borrower Services
Borrowing Library Materials
How do I get a library card?
Full-time students, faculty and full-time or part-time staff use their Seneca OneCard to borrow books. Part-time students bring their registration receipt to the Borrower Services Desk at any Seneca Libraries and they will be given a library card. Part-time faculty must show a class schedule or contract to obtain a library card.Do I have to pay to borrow library books?
Members of the Seneca College Community (students, faculty, support staff and alumni) have borrowing privileges at no charge. However, fines are charged for overdue items.What is the loan period for books?
Due to differences in library collections and student needs, loan periods vary from campus to campus. Refer to the Loan Periods at your campus for more information.How many items can I borrow?
General Collection: Five books per subject from Newnham, four from King, three from Seneca@York, and three from Markham. Direct Borrowers can sign out to a maximum of five books from all Seneca Libraries. The maximum number of items per borrower is 25.Reserve Collection: A maximum of two books at any of the Seneca Libraries. Community Borrowers, Alumni, and Direct Borrowers do not have access to the reserve collection.
Borrowing Books from Other Locations
Can I request a book from another Seneca campus online?
To request a book from another Seneca campus, go to the top of the Seneca Libraries website and click Library Catalogue. Search for the book you want to borrow and then click the title link. In the Brief Record window click Place Requests, and then log in by typing your Library Card or OneCard number and your last name. For more information on requesting a book, go to Placing Holds (Signed Out Items) / Requests (Available Items).How long will it take for the book I ordered from another campus to get here?
If you have ordered a book from another campus library, and that book is available, it will take two to three working days to arrive at your campus. Once your request has arrived, library borrower services staff will contact you at the phone number on your student record (provided that the number is not long distance).How do I request books or articles from a library other than Seneca?
Members of the Seneca College Community (students, staff and alumni) may request materials from other institutions by completing an Interlibrary Loan Request form available at any Seneca Libraries Reference Desk or by completing the electronic Interlibrary Loan Form.
Placing a Hold on a Book
How can I place a hold on a book that someone else has borrowed?
To place a hold on a book that is signed out, go to the Library Catalogue. Search for the book you want to borrow and click the title link to display the Brief Record on the screen. Click Place Requests, and then login by typing your Library Card or OneCard number and your last name. For more information on placing a hold, go to Placing Holds (Signed Out Items) / Requests (Available Items).
Renewing Books
Can I renew my books over the phone?
Yes. However, if you have access to the Internet, you can renew your books online. See below, How can I renew a book online?How can I renew a book online?
To renew your books online, go to the top of Seneca Libraries and click Library Catalogue. In the catalogue tool bar, click My Library Account. If you have not already logged into your account, type your OneCard/Library Card Number and your last name. Under Signed Out Items, select the item(s) that your want to renew and then click Renew Items. For more information on renewing a book, go to Renewing Books.Why can't I renew my book?
If you see your book listed under Signed Out Items but the Renew Items button is missing, a renewal has been blocked. Renewals are blocked for items that are overdue or have a loan period other than two weeks (short term loan Reserve items). Borrowed items are due back by the library's closing time. After this time, the item is overdue and cannot be renewed. Renewals are also blocked if you owe library fines or if someone else has placed a hold on the item.How many times can I renew my books?
Unlimited renewals are allowed on all circulating materials and apply to faculty, students and staff. Other types of library borrowers may renew only once.
Overdue Items
What are the fines for returning overdue items?
The fines for overdue items can be found on the Fines page.Are you charged for weekends when your books are overdue?
Overdue days are calculated according to the days the library is open. If the campus where you borrowed books has weekend hours, fines will be charged for weekends.
My Library Account
What is My Library Account?
Your Library Account includes your name and address, a list of items that you have signed out, information on items you have placed on hold or requested and information on fines that you may owe. In the My Library Account window, you can renew items that you have borrowed. Renewals are blocked after the due date, and are not available on all items.
Access to York University Libraries
Students
Seneca students who are enrolled in joint Seneca-York University programs, and receive sessional identification cards from York, have borrowing privileges. Other students are not eligible, as detailed in their policy regarding community college and high school students.
http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/BorrowRenew/BorrowingPrivileges.htm
Other Seneca students, however, have access to the Libraries' collections, services and facilities for 'in-house library use'. Exceptions to this policy are the use of group study rooms and the booking of library instruction classes.
Faculty
Seneca Faculty can be issued a York University Libraries' Courtesy library card upon request. The card entitles the holder to borrowing privileges with the exception of access to reserve collections, borrowing of maps, and interlibrary loan. Holders of Courtesy cards are allowed to borrow up to 15 books for a 2-week loan period and to renew items once only. Proof of identification and affiliation with Seneca will be requested. Faculty should bring their Seneca library card, the "One Card" photo ID card, to the Scott Circulation Desk. The expiry date of the York Courtesy card will match the end of the academic term. Lending regulations are outlined in the Libraries Lending Code (http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/Home/About/Policies/LendingCode.htm). Notices are mailed to the borrower's home address. Borrowing privileges may be withdrawn from any borrower who violates the regulations of York University Libraries.
Brock University Bachelor of Education Students
Brock students studying at one of Seneca College’s campuses may access Seneca Libraries print collections on-site. Students wanting to borrow print library resources would be required to pay the ‘community borrower’ fee of $35.00 which would allow them loan privileges for our collections. Current valid photo identification and a signature are required prior to issuing the community borrower library card.