Borrowing Policies for Students:
The Library grants the following borrowing privileges to serve the research and information needs of students:
- Library users may borrow print books and audiovisual materials from the in-house collection and obtain items through interlibrary loan (ILL). Reasonable limits are set to ensure availability of resources for all members of the college community.
- The Online Catalog facilitates requests for items, which will be sent to students’ mailing address at the library’s expense. Students are responsible for return of items at their own expense.
- There is a limit of 15 items per student, which includes all loans and active requests. Users are responsible for all items checked out on their account. Failure to abide by these policies may result in loss of borrowing privileges.
Loans & Renewals
Books from the In-House Collection
How long can books be borrowed for? The due date for all library loans is the first day of the following program residency. Please consider the time needed for shipping.
Can I renew my books? Books may not be renewed except for students entering a final semester of study or students on extension.
Where do I return my books? All library items must be returned to the library on the Vermont campus: Eliot D. Pratt Library, Goddard College, 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT 05667
Non-Print Materials from the In-House Collection
How long can non-print materials be borrowed for? The due date for all library loans is the first day of the following program residency. Please consider the time needed for shipping..
The library reserves the right to recall these items (DVDs, CDs, CD-ROM, etc) during the loan period. Students are reminded to package all materials soundly and in a box to prevent damage in shipping.
Materials Obtained through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
When can I put in a request for an ILL item? Requests for Interlibrary loans are accepted throughout the program semester dates.
How many ILLs can I request? Because of the high cost and labor intense nature of ILLs, students are limited to 5 at a time.
How long can I borrow an ILL item for? The loan period and any restrictions are determined by the lending library.
Can I renew ILL materials? Materials obtained through interlibrary loan cannot be renewed.
Where do I return my ILL materials? All materials loaned through ILL must be returned to the Eliot D. Pratt Library on the Vermont campus by the due date as specified on the item. It may not be returned directly to the lending library. The library staff will handle all requests and returns. Individual borrowers should not contact the lending library directly.
Failure to abide by policies and due dates can result in loss of library / ILL privileges. The library does not accept ILL requests from students after their semester end date. Students who are enrolled in “between semester study” or have been granted an extension are exempted and may make interlibrary loan requests during this time period.
I live outside of the continental United States – can I request ILL materials? No, materials obtained through ILL are sent only to addresses in the continental United States. Alternative arrangements for shipment of Pratt Library materials to international addresses can be made depending on individual circumstances and needs.
Textbooks
The Eliot Pratt Library does not buy textbooks for the collection, and these are generally not available through interlibrary loan. If they are loaned through ILL, students should note that the loan is for short-term use and cannot be used as a substitution for purchasing or renting textbooks.
Shipping of Material
Library staff will ship materials to students with addresses in the continental United States. All students are encouraged to make optimal use of electronic resources during the semester. We encourage use of local library resources and local library ILL services for materials not accessible through our library collections and for students living outside of the U.S. This should minimize the frustrations of increasingly shortened loan periods experienced in shipping materials long distances from Vermont. Efforts are made to make alternative arrangements to meet student needs whenever possible.
The following student groups may request and receive additional items, including interlibrary loans, after the end of the semester:
- Students who plan to enter the final semester of study on the next upcoming registration date.
- Students who are enrolled in “between semester study”.
- Students who have been granted an extension.
Who pays for the shipping costs? The library pays shipping costs for mailings to students. Students are responsible for returning library / ILL materials on time and at their own expense, and should be aware that ILL materials have short loan periods.
It is strongly recommended that all shipped packages be trackable and insured to cover costs should they get lost or damaged.
Lost, Damaged or Overdue Materials
Reminders & Notices
How do I know which books and/or other materials I have checked out? Students are reminded to access their library account via the LITS / catalog page https://catalog.goddard.edu/ to see what is checked out or billed, and due dates. Logging in with a 6 digit Goddard ID and password is necessary to view one’s account. Students who withdraw or are withdrawn by the College during the semester must return their library materials immediately. Students on extension may renew materials if needed, but must first contact the library. All other students will receive courtesy reminders sent via Goddard email two business days after the due date. A final notice will be sent one week after the courtesy reminder. Students are responsible for the items on their account regardless of receipt of notices: Regular overdue notices are sent as a courtesy reminder only. Failure to receive any notice does not relieve a borrower of the responsibility of returning an item by the date due.
I’m graduating – is there anything I need to know about my library account? Graduating students must settle their library accounts before graduation. All library materials must be returned to the library before a diploma is sent.
Bills for Materials from the In-House Collection
For each un-returned or damaged book or AV item, students will be assessed a $20 nonrefundable processing fee and a $40 (or actual cost, whichever is higher) refundable replacement fee. No refunds will be given for items returned after one year from due date. Library bills will be sent to Student Accounts 28 days after the due date.
Bills for Interlibrary Loan Materials
For each un-returned or damaged item obtained through ILL, students will be assessed a $20 nonrefundable processing fee and a $50 (or actual cost, whichever is higher) refundable replacement fee. No refunds will be given for items returned after 6 months from due date . Library bills will be sent to Student Accounts 28 days after the due date.