Borrowing/Returning
Library materials may be checked out or returned when the libraries are open (see Library Hours).
Library Account
You can log in to the library catalog, Catalyst, to view materials you have checked out, holds that are pending, and overdues or recalls that have been assessed. You can also renew items if they are eligible.
St. Olaf students, faculty and staff
Use the “Enter Your St. Olaf Username/Password” link. You’ll be taken to the Google Sign-On page. Log in as you do when accessing your St. Olaf email account. (If you are already signed in to Google in the browser, you’ll be taken directly into your account.)
Community Member Cardholders
If you are not affiliated with St. Olaf but have a community library card, you can sign in using the “Community Members Login” link. Your User ID is the number under the bar code on the back of your library card. The default password is “Library123”. If you have trouble logging in, call the circulation desk at 507-786-3224, open a support ticket, or stop by the circulation desk in person.
To change your account’s password:
- Log in to your account following the steps listed above.
- Click the “Personal Details” tab.
- Click “Update Login Credentials”.
- Enter your current password and then the new password.
Materials Available for Borrowing
- All books and music scores, except those marked as Reference or Genealogy
- All periodicals except the most recent issues in Rolvaag Library
- All government documents except those in reference or marked as non-circulating
- Videos and DVDs
- Sound recordings
- Audio visual equipment (St. Olaf Students, Staff & Faculty Only, see more information)
- Board games (St. Olaf Students, Staff & Faculty Only)
Qualified Borrowers
St. Olaf/Carleton Students, Staff, and Faculty
All registered students, faculty, and staff at St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges are allowed user privileges. To borrow material, affiliates of either college must present their St. Olaf or Carleton College ID at the Circulation Desk.
Community Members
Those who are not affiliated with either college, but are residents of the below townships, may apply for a Borrower’s Card at the Circulation Desk. Please bring a valid Driver’s License or other proof of permanent residence. For more information about using the libraries, please review our Community Member and Alumni Access Policy.
| Cannon Falls | 55009 |
| Castle Rock | 55010 |
| Dennison/Stanton | 55018 |
| Dundas | 55019 |
| Elko | 55020 |
| Faribault | 55021 |
| Farmington | 55024 |
| Hampton | 55031 |
| Lonsdale | 55046 |
| Nerstrand | 55053 |
| New Market | 55054 |
| Northfield | 55057 |
| Randolph | 55065 |
| Webster | 55088 |
Community residents who are under 16: There are no age restrictions for community members wishing to obtain a library card, but parents or guardians of juveniles under the age of 16 will be required to sign the library card application to accept responsibility for all library fees and fines incurred by their minor children. Cards for students 16 years of age and older will be issued without a parent or guardian’s signature with proper picture ID.
St. Olaf College Alumni
All college alumni who are residents of Minnesota qualify for an Alumni Borrower’s Card. For more information about using the libraries, please review our Guest and Alumni Access Policy.
| Books, Government Documents, & Scores | Students: 7 weeks Faculty/Staff/Emeriti: 1 year Community Members/St. Olaf Alumni: 2 weeks |
| M1-M3 Scores (Collected Works) | 2 weeks |
| Videos/DVDs, Sound Recordings, & Board Games | 1 week |
| Periodicals & Microforms | 2 weeks |
| Reference Materials & Newspapers | In Library Use Only |
Late Fees & Replacement Charges
Overdue materials may be subject to overdue fees. If the materials are not returned within a certain time period, they are subject to replacement charges. Fees and charges are as follows.
| Overdue Fee | |
| Course Reserves | $2/hour $15 max |
| Replacement Charge | |
| Books, DVDs, CD, Scores, Board Games, other | $60 |
Renewals
An item may be renewed, provided no one else is waiting for it. Renewals may be made through Catalyst, or requested via a support ticket (Please note that this service is checked only on weekdays during regular business hours.)
Number of times renewals may be made on library materials:
| Books, Government Documents, Music Scores | Periodicals & Microfilm | Course Reserves & Board Games | Videos, DVDs & CDs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Olaf & Carleton Students | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| St. Olaf & Carleton Faculty, Staff, & Emeriti | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Community Members & St. Olaf Alumni | 1 | 1 | n/a | 2 |
Recall Policy
The St. Olaf Libraries’ Recall Policy exists to ensure equitable access to the collection for all students, faculty, and staff. Any patron may place a recall on an item that is checked out to another patron. Placement of a recall request will prompt the item to fall due in four days. The library will immediately inform the individual who has the item checked out of the new due date. Short-term loans, such as Reserve materials, cannot be recalled.
Notification of Recall: Patrons will be notified by e-mail if an item in their possession has been recalled. Recall notices must be complied with immediately or the borrower will be subject to a $5.00/day per item late fee. The recall policy applies all year long: summer session, interim, vacations, etc.
Course Reserves Material
Information concerning course reserves material is available through Catalyst. Course reserves material at Music and Rolvaag is available from the course reserves area at the circulation desk. The reserve items circulate for loan periods ranging from 2 hours to 2 days. Rolvaag Library reserve materials may be checked out overnight during the last 2 hours before closing and are due back the next day when the library opens. All overdue course reserves material is subject to late fees of $2 per hour, up to a maximum fine of $15.
Lost or Damaged Library Materials
Purpose of Policy
St. Olaf College Libraries provides our users with access to vast array of resources, including books, journals, scores, CDs, DVDs and more. This policy has been established to ensure that these materials are maintained in a condition suitable for lending and use.
Damage
The patron is responsible for returning library materials in the condition that they were borrowed. If a patron returns library materials that have been damaged due to abuse or misuse and are in such condition that the library determines the item must be replaced, the patron will be charged for the cost of replacing the material, plus the cost of processing the replacement copy. Writing (pencil or ink), rips, stains, and scratches (on CDs and DVDs) all constitute damage to library materials.
Loss
The patron is responsible for all pieces of borrowed material and is responsible for the condition of the material on its return. If a piece of an item is lost or damaged, the patron will be charged for the repair or replacement cost of the piece. If the lost piece cannot be replaced, the patron will be charged for the cost of replacing the entire item.
Notification
Patrons are encouraged to notify the library if they find items with damage or missing pieces.
Fees and Fines
The library reserves the right to assess and declare the condition of all returned library materials. Items that are damaged, but not destroyed while in a patron’s possession may result in fines consistent with the degree of damage.
The replacement fee for any lost or damaged book, DVD, CD, VHS, board game or score is $60.00. Alternatively, a patron may seek the approval of library staff to purchase an unused replacement copy of the material. The new copy must be identical to the original copy and have the same ISBN number or other standard identifying number as determined by library staff (in the case of audiovisual materials). The replacement fee will be waived if the borrower replaces the material.
If extenuating circumstances contribute to the loss or damage of library material, the patron may appeal to have the fees waived. The library considers all legitimate concerns about fees. The following reasons do not constitute basis for an appeal:
- ignorance of library policy
- disagreement with fees
- inability to pay fees
- unwillingness to take responsibility for material loaned to a third party
DVD/Video Booking
DVD/Video Booking is a service available to faculty who wish to arrange for DVD/video availability on a specific date for in-class screening. To book a film, fill out the online booking form. The items(s) you request will be available for you to pick up at the Rolvaag Library Circulation Desk on the “need by” date you provide. To ensure that the item you need is available on the requested date, please submit the booking request at least 10 days in advance. This lead time is essential so that we can guarantee the item’s availability.