If library materials have a status of “available” in the Library Catalog and are on the shelf, users are asked to pull the materials themselves.

The University Library staff will pull materials in the following circumstances:

• User cannot physically access the stacks (email library@wlu.edu for this service);
• Books/DVDs are needed by undergrad faculty (either for pick-up or scanning).

Borrowing, Renewing, & Fines

The books in our library collections are shelved in call number order using the Library of Congress (LC) classification system. Materials in the U.S. Government Documents Depository collection on Level 4 are shelved by the Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc) classification system.

Loan Periods

Books & Audio Books

• W&L Undergraduate & Law Students: Three month loan period.
• W&L Faculty & Staff: Year from date of check-out.
• VMI & SVU Faculty & Staff: Complete a registration form at Leyburn Library Information Desk. Year from date of check-out.
• Mountain Gateway Community College, VMI, SVU, Mary Baldwin, Local Middle & High School Students, & Area Residents (Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County): Complete a registration form at Leyburn Library Information Desk. Four week loan period.
• Friends of the Library Members: Three month loan period.
• VIVA Cooperative Borrowing Program: Complete a registration form at Leyburn Library Information Desk. Four week loan period.

DVDs

• Three day check-out.
  • Not all patron types may check-out this type of material.
  • Local Residents may have up to 3 videos/DVDs checked-out at any one time.

Music CDs

• Seven day check-out.

Course Reserves

• 2, 4, or 24 hours according to the specifications of the faculty member who has placed them in this collection.
  • Only current W&L faculty, staff, and students may check out course reserve materials.

Non-Circulating Items

• W&L faculty, staff, and students may check out bound periodicals and reference items for 24 hours.
• Items from Special Collections, microfilm, and newspapers may not leave the University Library.

Renewals

• Items may be renewed online or emailing us.
• Items may not be renewed if they have been requested by another person.
• Books are subject to recall two weeks after date of check-out.
• Books, Audio Books, and music CDs may be renewed three times, DVDs may be renewed twice, and there is no renewals for non-circulating items.

Fees for Lost or Recalled Materials

• Recalled materials: $1.00 per day.
• Non-circulating items if lost be billed at a cost of $1000.00 each.
• Long overdue items will be billed. The bill will reflect the replacement cost.
  • Lost books = $60
  • Videos = price varies (email us for details)
  • Technology Items = price varies (email us for details)
• W&L Undergraduate students with lost materials totaling $50.00 or more may be blocked from registering for classes or from obtaining transcripts until the fines have been paid.
• Other users with lost materials in excess of $50 may be prevented from checking out library materials until their fines are paid in full.
• Payment may be made by cash, check (made out to Washington and Lee University), General Debit/Charge (current students only).
• If you believe you have lost library materials please email us as soon as possible to work out payment plan.
• Refunds may be issued if the library material is located within 7 days of the payment of the replacement cost.
• Food For Fines: Undergraduate students may pay their overdue fines with canned goods. The items will be donated to W&L’s Campus Kitchens project. This arrangement applies only to current W&L students. Lost library materials must be paid for with cash, check, debit, or charge.
  • $1-5 in Fines = 2 cans
  • $6-10 in Fines = 4 cans
  • $11-20 in Fines = 8 cans
  • $20-50 in Fines = 16 cans