Circulation Services Guidelines

The Eagle ID card or other acceptable Library card will serve as identification for borrowing privileges or other library services.

FGCU affiliates (faculty, including adjuncts and courtesy faculty, staff and students) will use the FGCU photo-ID with 14-digit number.

State Universities of Florida (faculty, staff and students) present the current valid ID issued by their home institution.

Florida Community College affiliates (faculty, staff and students) present school ID number or social security number and photo ID.

Southwest Florida Community residents will be issued a FGCU Community Borrower’s Card with proof of residence in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, or Lee counties. Photo-IDs such as driver’s license, state issued photo ID, or passport may serve as proof of residence.

Eagle ID / Library cards and ID numbers may be used only by the individual to whom it is issued.

FGCU affiliates - Current faculty, adjuncts, courtesy faculty, staff and students of the university are considered FGCU affiliates eligible for library services and borrowing privileges as long as they remain affiliated with FGCU.  

State (FL) University affiliates - Current students, faculty, and staff of other publicly funded state universities in Florida have borrowing privileges at FGCU. Current affiliation and borrowing status will be confirmed electronically upon application for FGCU Library privileges.  

Florida Community College affiliates – Current students, faculty, and staff of publicly funded Florida community colleges have borrowing privileges at FGCU. Current affiliation and borrowing status at the home institution will be confirmed upon application for FGCU Library borrowing privileges.

Southwest Florida residents – Current adult residents of the Southwest Florida community (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, or Lee counties) are eligible for borrowing privileges at the FGCU Library. Photo ID and evidence of local residence is required.

Acceptable forms of proof of residency:

• Driver’s license (if driver’s license has a PO Box as the address, another form of proof must be presented)
• Property tax receipt
• Voter’s registration card
• State of Florida identification card
• Property deed, mortgage, or lease agreement
• Utility bill
• Bank check with imprinted name and physical street address
• Vehicle registration
• Local telephone directory listing
• Certification of residency
• Business license
• Employment ID
• School ID
• Declaration of domicile

Minors – Minors are eligible for borrowing privileges with the written consent of a parent or guardian. The parent/guardian is responsible for the return of library materials and any charges incurred through the use of the card.

FGCU affiliates participating in Distance Learning courses held off-campus have equivalent access to library resources and services. (See Library services offered to Distance Learners) DL participants use the Eagle ID card for services. It is preferred that Distance Learners come to campus to secure their Eagle ID. However, if unable to come to campus, IDs may be obtained by mail upon submitting:

• An Eagle ID Card Distance User Request Form
• An address of where to send the card
• A photocopy of a state-issued photo ID

Mail form to: Florida Gulf Coast University, Eagle ID Card Office
10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565
ATTN: Student ID Card Office

The Proxy borrower card allows a designated individual to conduct library transactions for faculty members. Faculty may authorize a proxy user, such as an administrative assistant, or graduate student, by submitting the Deputy Borrower Authorization Form. The card is issued to the proxy by the Circulation staff. The faculty member is responsible for all materials charged to the card and any fines or bills incurred through its use.

When an item is not found in its designated location, request assistance from the Circulation Desk. Circulation staff will systematically search for the item. If found, the user will be notified of its availability and it will be held at the desk.

Material is not considered returned until it has been checked in through the automated circulation system. Materials may be returned to the FGCU library at the Circulation Desk or the outside book return located in Parking Lot One, across from the Family Resource Center. Interlibrary Loan materials must be returned at the Circulation Desk.

Borrowers may renew their materials electronically through the Online Catalog “Your Account” feature. After two online renewals, items must be returned to the circulation desk where they may be checked-in and then checked-out again to the borrower, to restart the loan/renew cycle. Items cannot be renewed if another user has placed a “hold/recall” on the item or if they are already overdue. Borrowers may renew items by presenting them at the Circulation Desk, submitting a renewal request by e-mail to libcirc@fgcu.edu, or by phone at (239) 590-7610. The 14-digit number on the Eagle ID card and the item barcode for each item will be needed for renewal.

A "hold" may be placed on an item that is currently on loan to another borrower. A “hold” prevents the renewal of the item by the current borrower, and reserves the item for the user placing the “hold.” Multiple "holds" on the same item are honored on a first-come-first-serve basis. Users may place a hold by clicking on the “Place a hold ” link displayed at the bottom of the Online Catalog record. Hold requests are also accepted via e-mail to libcirc@fgcu.edu, and at the Circulation Desk.

A "recall" may be placed on an item that is currently on loan to another borrower. A “recall” prevents renewal of the item by the current borrower and requires the return of the item within 7 days of receiving the recall notice. Except for rush recalls, an item must be checked out to a user at least 14 days before the item is subject to recall. The “recall” interrupts the normal loan period for the user. Users will be billed overdue fines based on the adjusted loan period when an item is recalled. The borrower placing the recall will be notified when the item is available. Only FGCU affiliates have recall privileges. Requests are accepted via e-mail to libcirc@fgcu.edu, at the Circulation Desk, or by phone at (239) 590-7610.

• Loan period is 2 hours with one renewal allowed.
• Cards are for in-Library use ONLY.
• Patron must present Eagle ID card or Community Borrower’s card to borrow a network card.
• Overdue fine of $1.00 per HOUR will be charged for network cards.
• The replacement cost for a lost network card is $150.00 plus overdue fines.

Overdue fines are charged to encourage the prompt return of library materials so that others may also have access. The due date is attached to the item at the time of checkout. Overdue fines are 25 cents per item, per day. Minimum fine for an overdue item is $3.00 (12 th day overdue) Maximum fine is $6.00

Grace period: Overdue items returned within 10 days of due date will not be billed. An invoice is generated for maximum fine and replacement costs after 25 days overdue. If the item is returned within 120 days of billing, replacement costs are not charged to the borrower.

Regular Loans: All borrowers, 25 cents per day

Reserve Loans: All borrowers, 25 cents per HOUR

Wireless Network Cards: All borrowers, $1.00 per HOUR

If materials are lost or damaged, the borrower is responsible for immediately reporting it to Library Circulation at 239-590-7610. If the item is already overdue, reporting the lost or damaged item and arranging to pay for the replacement will stop further accumulation of overdue fines.

ALL BORROWERS ARE SUBJECT TO OVERDUE FINES AND REPLACEMENT COSTS for lost or damaged items. 

Lost items are assessed at the average price of an academic book as printed in the Bowker Annual. After an item has been overdue for 25 days it is considered lost. The maximum overdue fine plus the current Bowker Annual default replacement cost is billed to the borrower. Payment for lost items that are later found and returned will be reimbursed if the item is returned within 120 days of the billing date. Non-FGCU affiliates must return items within 60 days of billing to avoid replacement costs.

Wireless Network Card: Replacement cost is $150.00

FGCU students, faculty, and staff must pay fines at the FGCU Cashier's Office or via Gulfline. State University, Community College, and Community patrons may pay in-person or by mail at the FGCU Cashier's Office. All patrons should keep payment receipts as proof of payment. Payment may not be accepted by Library employees.

FGCU affiliates who fail to pay overdue fines or replacement costs will have a financial hold placed on their university accounts, will not be permitted to register for classes or secure FGCU transcripts, and may have Library privileges suspended. All other borrowers are subject to cancellation of borrowing privileges at FGCU Library.

All borrowers are responsible for library materials charged to their account and are subject to overdue fines, replacement costs and charges for damaged or mutilated materials. Library users may appeal specific fines and bills in writing, within 60 days of billing. Written appeals may be submitted in person at the Circulation Desk, or by e-mail to libcirc@fgcu.edu, or regular mail to the FGCU Library, Customer Services Department. Acceptable basis for Library’s consideration of an appeal are:

• Circumstances beyond the control of the borrower caused the late return, loss or damage of library materials. (Substantiating documentation, i.e. police reports, hospital bills, etc. must be submitted with the written appeal.)
• Library error in processing the transaction.
• Payment of charges would cause excessive financial hardship to the borrower.

The Customer Services staff will review appeals with final disposition made by the Department Head, or designee. The borrower will be notified of the decision in writing within 14 days of receiving the written appeal.  

Possible outcomes of an appeal include:

• Denial of appeal.
• Charges reduced to a percentage of the original bill.
• Appeal accepted and account cleared of the specific charge.