Circulation Department

The Circulation Department administers the Library's loan policy and procedures. It is located on the main floor adjacent to the main, Shaw Road, entrance and is staffed all hours that the Library is open.

For Circulation information, please call (508) 531-1392.

Borrowing Privileges

BSC Faculty/Librarians/Staff and students need a BSC Connect Card to borrow from the main and Course Reserve collections. BSC Alumni and Bridgewater residents may also have a Library card for a 12 month duration. Community members over 18 years of age, other than Bridgewater residents, may purchase a Library card for $20.00 for a 6 month duration.

Students at state-funded community colleges, colleges and universities and Stonehill and Wheaton College students may have a Library card free of charge for the duration of the semester. (For additional special borrower information, ask the Circulation staff.) Borrowing privileges may be suspended due to excess fines or overdue materials.

Loan Period

  • Faculty/Librarians/Staff: 4 months
  • Students: 4 weeks
  • Others: 4 weeks

Maximum Number of Loans

  • Faculty/Librarians/Staff: 50
  • Students: 35
  • Others: 6

Recalls

All items are subject to recall after 4 weeks if requested by another borrower or immediately if needed for Course Reserve.

Renewals

  • Faculty/Librarians/Staff: Twice for 4 months, if there is no HOLD pending
  • Students: Once for 4 weeks, if there is no HOLD pending
  • Others: Once for 4 weeks, if there is no HOLD pending
    Renewals may be transacted in person at the library or by calling (508) 531-1392. If items are overdue any overdue fines must be paid before renewing.

Fines

  • $.10 per day to a maximum of $10.00 per item
  • Fines of less than $10.00 per item, which are paid when overdue books are returned, will be reduced by half
  • Course Reserve fines - two hour, three hour and overnight loans - $1.00 per hour or part thereof to a maximum of $10.00 per item. No reduction of fines applies. One-week loans - $1.00 per day to a maximum of $10.00 per item. No reduction of fines applies

Please note: Some items, particularly ERC items, accrue fines at a higher hourly rate and therefore higher daily accrual rate and have higher replacement costs. All BSC students and BSC Alumni incurring $10.00 or more in fines will have their borrowing privileges suspended and transcript/registration holds placed until their library accounts are settled. Community library users incurring the same level of fines will have their borrowing privileges suspended until their accounts are settled.


Lost/Unreturned Item Fee

  • General and ERC General Collection items: $45.00 for replacement and processing
  • Children's Collection items: $20.00 for replacement and processing
  • Videos: $75.00 for replacement and processing

Refunds

  • Library materials returned, in good condition, within 30 days after replacement fees are paid will be refunded less any applicable overdue fines. No refunds after 30 days of payment for lost items.

Holds and Recalls

A library patron may request a HOLD or RECALL on material on loan to another patron either in person at the Circulation desk, or by calling or e-mailing the Circulation department.


Traces

A patron may request that a TRACE be placed on material designated as available in Webster but not found in the stacks.


Course Reserves

The Course Reserve Collection makes available high-demand, course-related materials for restricted use.


For further information on any circulation policy issues, please call the Circulation Department at (508) 531-1392.

Last Modified: May 19, 2008