Borrow/Renew

Library Account

My Library Account

Log into your Library Account (using your University of Idaho username and password) to:

  • Renew materials, review your loans, and make Summit requests online
  • Access library databases from anywhere in the world
  • Use Interlibrary Loan and view your pending ILL requests
  • Use "Request" link on physical items to set up "Curbside Pick Up". You'll receive an email when your item is ready, with a link to reserve a pick up time slot during open hours, Monday to Friday (contact libcirc@uidaho.edu with questions!).

Offline, use your Vandal Card to check out and renew Books, DVDs, and other materials from the library

Library Account Policies

Library Card Info Loan Periods Fines Renewal Options

How do I get a library card?

Library Cards for Students, Faculty, and Staff

Your Idaho Vandal ID card can be used as your library card to check out materials as well as to access your interlibrary loan account and other online materials.

If you have a valid University of Idaho network username and password, you will also be able to access databases like JSTOR, Web of Science and Academic Search Premier from off campus by using your University of Idaho username and password.

Preferred Name: the Library circulation system used to check in and out materials can be updated to include a preferred name. Patrons interested in changing the name used on this system should inquire at the circulation desk or email libcirc@uidaho.edu. Please note campus systems that use the U of I single sign-on system will still display the legally registered name for your account.

Guest Library Cards

Guest privileges are available to:

  • Idaho residents with photo ID (residents under 18 years old must have parent or guardian willing to establish a parent/child account)
  • WSU faculty, staff, and students with WSU ID
  • Summit Library members, who may use their home library's card

Guests may borrow books, DVDs and other library materials. If you are not actively affiliated with the university, you will not have remote access to most electronic resources or to some library-specific services.

Loan Periods

Generally, cardholders can borrow an unlimited number of items. Loan periods will vary depending on your status and the type of material being borrowed.

Type of Material Loan Period Renewals
Books Undergraduates and guest patrons 12 Weeks; Faculty, staff, and graduates 120 Days 6 Weeks
CDs, DVDs, LPs, Browsing Books 12 Weeks No
Book Club Books 3 Weeks No
Board Games 5 Days No
Course Reserves 3 Hours, 1 Day, or 3 Days (based on instructor preference and student usage) No
Government Documents 12 week or 3 hour in-library (see Gov Docs Policies) No
Magazines and Journals Library use only
Maps, Reference Books, Atlases Library use only
Microform (film and fiche) Library use only
Newspapers Library use only
Summit 12 Weeks 6 Weeks (depends on the partner library)
ILLiad (ILL) Books Varies by lending institution, 4 weeks on average Varies by lending institution, 2 weeks on average
ILLiad (ILL) DVDs/CDs Varies by lending institution, 2 weeks on average Varies by lending institution, 2 weeks on average
Large Loanable Equipment (cameras, drawing tablet, etc.) 3 Days No
Small Loanable Equipment (headphones, chargers, calculators) 3 Hours No
Short Loan Laptops 3 Weeks No
Long Loan Laptops To end of semester No
Sewing Machine 3 Weeks No
Graduate Carrels To end of semester Carrels can roll over to new semesters based on student need
LOAN PERIODS FOR UI LIBRARY MULTIMEDIA (NOT AVAILABLE TO GUESTS)
Item Loan Period Fine Rate Replacement Cost
Portable Green Screen 3 days $10/hour 1st 3 hours; $2/hour each additional hour $110
Portable Light Kit 3 days $10/hour 1st 3 hours; $2/hour each additional hour $140
Canon VIXIA HF G20, circulating 3 days $10/hour 1st 3 hours; $2/hour each additional hour $700
Canon VIXIA HF G20, permanent hold 3 hours in-library $10/hour 1st 3 hours; $2/hour each additional hour $700
GoPro Hero 3 days $10/hour 1st 3 hours; $2/hour each additional hour $300
Tripod 3 days Included in kit $25
TASCAM Field Recorder 3 days $10/hour 1st 3 hours; $2/hour each additional hour $100
External Hard Drive 3 days $10/hour 1st 3 hours; $2/hour each additional hour $60
32 GB microSD Card 3 days Included in kit
SM57 Microphone 3 days $10/hour 1st 3 hours; $2/hour each additional hour $100
Microphone stand 3 days Included in kit $20
Miscellaneous accessories 3 days $10/hour 1st 3 hours; $2/hour each additional hour Priced individually

Fines

The library no longer collects late fees or fines for items in our general collection as part of our commitment to equitable access to information and student affordability.

Some items in the library, such as print Course Reserves or U of I Multimedia equipment, are exceptions to this policy and will continue to accrue late fees. In addition, the library will continue assessing lost item fees to patrons. Items move into lost status when they have not been returned 15 days after the assigned due date, at which time patrons are charged a $100 fee ($80 replacement item cost and $20 processing fee).

If you have questions about which items have late fees and which don't, or want to supply your own replacement copy, please contact our Access Services/Circulation Desk at 208-885-6559 and we'd be happy to assist you.

Renewing Library Materials

Three options available for renewing:

  • Online at Your Library Account, where you can also see what items are checked out to you and when they are due
  • By telephone at (208) 885-6559
  • In person at the Circulation Desk (1st floor)

To better ensure equal opportunity to use the library's physical items for the entire U of I community, checked out items may be renewed twice upon request, then must be physically returned to the Circulation Desk to be checked in. If the item is not otherwise requested or recalled, then it may be checked out again.