Faculty Authorization (Borrowing Materials)

Michigan State University Libraries Policy and Procedure Statement 1.4.7 (Rev.7)
October 2004

I. Guidelines and Procedures

  1. Any board-appointed MSU faculty member (who has a record in the MSU Libraries to check out material) may authorize an individual to borrow library material and/or request material on interlibrary loan for that faculty member's personal research use.
  2. Generally, only MSU students or MSU staff members will be authorized.
  3. A maximum of three individuals may be authorized.
  4. Faculty authorization cannot be used to provide extended borrowing privileges for students or members of the faculty member's family. (Faculty spouses may obtain their own library card with faculty borrowing privileges without charge at the Main Library Circulation Desk upon presentation of an MSU spouse identification card.)
  5. To authorize an individual, the faculty member must complete and sign a Faculty Authorization request form and return it to the Main Library Circulation Desk, or through campus mail: Faculty Authorizations, Circulation Department, Main Library, or by Fax to (517) 355-5005.
  6. An authorization request form may be obtained at the Circulation Desk, by calling 355-2333, or by emailing: circadm@mail.lib.msu.edu.
  7. When authorization records have been completed, the faculty member will be emailed that the authorized individual may pick up the library card (by presenting pictured ID and signing the "Use Agreement" at the Main Library Circulation Desk).
  8. All authorizations expire near May 10 of the academic year in which the card was issued, unless an earlier expiration date was requested. Later expiration dates are not possible. The faculty member will be contacted during Spring semester about renewal or cancellation of authorized privileges.

II. Responsibilities of the Authorizing Faculty Member

  1. Borrower responsibilities and lending policies regarding materials checked out by authorized individuals are identical to those for faculty members, summarized below (II, B-F).
  2. Because the faculty member is responsible for all library materials checked out in his/her name, lost or stolen faculty authorization cards must be reported immediately by calling 355-2333.
  3. If material is lost, stolen or damaged, the faculty member is responsible for replacing or paying for it. The schedule of fixed charges is: $50.00 for a book and $75.00 for a bound periodical volume. If the current market value is more than the fixed charge, the former may be charged. Note: Replacement charges cannot be charged to MSU accounts.
  4. If material checked out by a faculty-authorized individual is needed by another borrower or course reserve, it will be recalled and given an earlier due date. If the material is not returned by the recall due date, the borrowing privileges of the faculty member and all individuals authorized by him/her will be suspended until the material is returned or replaced. The faculty member is responsible for any recall fines.
  5. All correspondence concerning material checked out by the authorized individual will be emailed to the faculty member. It is the faculty member's responsibility to see that material is returned on or before the due date.
  6. When an authorization is cancelled, all material checked out to the authorized individual will be transferred to the faculty member's account and a list emailed to the faculty member.

III. Responsibilities of the Authorized Individual

  1. Each time library materials are to be checked out in the faculty member's name, the authorized individual must present the Faculty Authorization card along with pictured identification.
  2. Use of the Faculty Authorization card results in material being checked out to the faculty member, not the person presenting the card. Consequently, it is to be used solely for the purpose of checking out library material needed by the authorizing faculty member. It may not be used to check out material for the personal use of the authorized individual.
  3. Lost or stolen Faculty Authorization cards must be reported immediately by calling (517) 355-2333.

Modified: 12/08/06

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