Community Members

Community Borrower Eligibility

All community patrons who wish to borrow books from the Luther College Library must apply for a Luther College library account. Only residents of northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota served by the Decorah telephone book are eligible to apply as community borrowers. Borrowers need to be seniors in high school or older.

Other people who wish to apply for a card should list their reasons under "Special Circumstances" on the Community Borrower Application form.

Application Forms

Application forms are available at the Circulation Desk. All applications must be reviewed by the Circulation Desk Supervisor prior to an account being created for a patron. Each application will be reviewed individually and the special circumstances taken into consideration.

Library Cards

After an application is approved, community patrons must obtain a Luther College community photo ID card from the Dining Services Office in the Union.

Due Dates

Books are due two weeks after they are checked out.

Renewals

Books may be renewed once by bringing them in to the Circulation Desk of the library or by telephoning the Circulation Desk at 387-1166.

Fines

Three notices are sent for overdue books.

• First notice: Reminder — no fine
• Second notice: $5.00 per book
• Third notice: Fine plus replacement charges. A charge of $40.00 per item will be imposed, plus a $20.00 handling charge.
• Community borrowers are blocked from further checkouts after books are overdue and fines start to accumulate.

Holds

Books may be held for community borrowers upon request.

Recalls

Books may not be recalled for community borrowers.

InterLibrary Loan Privileges

A Community Borrower card does not include Interlibrary Loan privileges. Preus Library does not offer Interlibrary Loan to community patrons, only to Luther College students, faculty, and staff. Contact your local public library for information on InterLibrary Loan services.

Library Materials Non-Circulating for Community Patrons

The following materials may not be checked out by Community Patrons:

• Reserve materials
• Reference materials
• Bound periodicals
• Single issue periodicals
• Curriculum Library materials
• DEPO books
• Rare books
• Archival materials
• DVDs and videos