Visitors are welcome at all UGA Libraries locations during daytime business hours. After 9 p.m., access to the Main Library and the McBay Science Library is limited to the UGA community (faculty, staff, students) and students with a valid higher education ID.

Borrowing Privileges - Individuals over the age of 18, who are not affiliated with the University, may still borrow material by obtaining an Outside Borrower's card. UGA has agreements with many regional public libraries throughout the state for this purpose. Before applying for an Outside Borrower's card, please check with your local public library to determine if that institution is a participant in the Outside Borrower's program. If the public library is a participant in the program, go to the public library to complete the application form, including signing the statement of responsibility.

There is a $10.00 user’s fee. The user fee is non-refundable.

The fee can be paid at the public library and the public library will then send all paperwork through the U.S. mail to the UGA Main Library. The patron can pick up the Outside Borrower's Card at the Circulation Desk at the Main Library. Please allow approximately one week for this process.

At the public library’s discretion, the borrower may present the completed application and user fee in person directly to the UGA Main Library's Circulation Office.

An Outside Borrower's card is issued initially for three months and may be renewed as long as no outstanding obligations exist.

The borrower's card is nontransferable and must be accompanied by a current, government-issued picture ID - such as (but not limited to) a driver's license, Georgia ID card, US passport, or US military ID - to charge out items.

Requests for renewal of this card may be made through the mail, e-mail, by telephone, or in person during most hours the Libraries are open. A new application form does not need to be completed, nor does the application fee need to be paid again unless the borrower's card has lapsed for three months or longer.

Outside Borrowers are not eligible for Interlibrary Loan, recalling charged items, and borrowing from Reserves, Reference, or other restricted library collections.

Loan Period - Most books have a loan period of 28 days. The Leisure Collection circulates for 14 days. Outside Borrowers can check out 5 books at a time. There are 2 automatic renewals for most items. After the 2 automatic renewals, books may be brought to the Circulation Desk at the Main Library to be discharged and borrowed again. There is no limit on the number of times an item may be borrowed as long as no one else has requested it. Recalled books cannot be renewed.The borrower is responsible for all items checked out in his/her name until those items are discharged and cleared from the library account.

Overdue Fines - The fine for overdue books is 25 cents per book per day. A book is marked lost when it has been overdue for 56 days.

Recall Fines - If an item is recalled by another patron, the loan period of the book is shortened.  Recalled items should be returned as soon as possible. Overdue recall fines are $1.00 per day. Items that are recalled may not be renewed.Fines and fees may be paid in person at the Main and Science Libraries' circulation desks with cash, check, or credit card. Payments can also be made by phone with a credit card or by mail with a check or money order made payable to the UGA Libraries.

Notices - Courtesy notices, overdue notices, lost/damaged items bills, recall notices, recall overdue notices and recall fine bills are sent by email. These notices are sent as a courtesy. Failure to receive a notice does not absolve the borrower from responsibility for overdue and recall fines, lost book replacement charges, and processing fees. The patron is responsible for notifying the Access Services Department if his/her address changes.

Lost and Damaged Items - A patron who suspects that an item checked out in his/her name has been lost should report it as soon as possible to the Access Services Department. A patron who loses an item is responsible for reimbursing the Libraries for the replacement cost, the processing fee, and fines accrued. Books are marked Lost after being overdue for 56 days.

Patrons are responsible for the items that they have checked out. Damaged items will be assessed by library staff. Any costs for repair or replacement of damaged items will be billed to the borrower.