Borrowing and Access

Borrowing and Access Policy 

Library material is available for borrowing and to access by current SMC students, faculty, and staff, as well as Christian Brothers, alumni, affiliated scholars, and the general community.

Identification

All students, faculty, and staff must present a valid SMC identification card to borrow from the collection. All alumni, community borrowers, families of college employees, and affiliate borrowers must obtain a library card from the Service Desk. 

Confidentiality

St. Albert Hall Library records relating to an individual patron's use of the library and its resources are confidential. Please see our Confidentiality Policy for more information.

Borrowing Privileges and Loan Periods

See our FAQ page on loan periods for a detailed breakdown of how long items can be checked out. 

Please note that some material does not circulate, such as our reference books, periodicals, and special collections. All materials are subject to be recalled if needed for course reserve.

Remote access to most electronic resources is limited by licensing agreements to current Saint Mary's faculty, staff, and students. Alumni may request off-campus use of select electronic databases by filling out the alumni database access form. Community patrons may use electronic resources on-site using a guest computer station. 

Borrower Responsibilities

Library borrowers are responsible for all materials checked out on their card. All eligible borrowers are expected to have a current address, phone number, and e-mail address on file that the library receives from the registrars office. 

Borrowers are responsible for returning material by the due date. If circumstances require individuals to leave town, they should make arrangements for the prompt return of library material. Items charged to an individual must be returned in good condition, without evidence of damage.

View or renew materials checked out, and check the status of books or DVDs on hold through your library account.

Technology Borrowing and Access

The SMC Library offers laptops and media production equipment available for a short-term loan to current SMC faculty, staff, and students. Before borrowing any technology, patrons must sign a borrowing agreement at the beginning of each academic semester. 

Technology and media equipment cannot be borrowed by individuals with overdue items or a history of unreturned library technology.

Media equipment may not be loaned to alumni, community members, families of college employees, or affiliate borrowers unless approved by Gael Media. 

See our complete list of laptops and media production equipment available to borrow.

Books Not Found in the Stacks

Patrons may request library staff search for a missing book. A full search for missing material may take several days. Patrons will be notified of the results of the search. 

Recalls

All patrons are responsible for honoring recall requests. If a library item is checked out to another borrower, you may place a recall on it for your use. In the event an item is recalled, an email notice is generated with the new due date and sent to the current borrower. The current borrower will have up to 14 days from the date on which the recall is placed to return the recalled item. Failure to return a recalled item by the new due date will result in a loss of borrowing privileges until the item is returned.

(updated August 2025)