UMD Libraries Community Borrowers and Community Researchers Programs
Eligibility
The UMD Libraries may grant membership into the Community Borrowers or Community Researchers Programs that allow limited library privileges. Note that all categories require an appropriate photo ID, local mailing address, and email address. To apply, please fill out the Community Borrowers and Researchers Form.
Lifetime members who purchased their membership before April 1, 2012, will continue to receive free borrowing privileges, but will be asked to renew their Community Borrower membership every five years. To renew your membership, please fill out the Community Borrowers and Researchers Form.
- CIRLA graduate student. See: CIRLA Program
- Faculty from an OCLC reciprocal Borrowing Institution. See: OCLC Program
- NASA Goddard and NOAA employees, with appropriate ID, receive free membership in the Community Borrowers program.
- Effective July 1, 2013, graduate students and faculty from CIC Libraries, with appropriate ID, receive free membership in the Community Researchers program. See: CIC Reciprocal Borrowing. (link coming soon!)
- $25/year: current members of the UMD Alumni Association or Friends of the Libraries. (in addition to an acceptable photo ID, requires valid UMD Alumni Association or Friends of the Libraries member card)
- $50/year: in-state Maryland residents (in addition to an acceptable photo ID, requires proof of Maryland residency, such as current utility bill or lease)
- $100/year: out-of-state residents
Library users who do not belong to the CIRLA, OCLC, NASA, NOAA, or CIC categories may become Community Researchers for the following fee:
- $100/year: in-state Maryland residents (in addition to an acceptable photo
ID, requires proof of Maryland residency, such as a current utility bill or
lease)
* Note - Community Researcher status is not available to out-of-state residents and there is no discount for current members of the UMD Alumni Association.
You need to be at least 18 years old and provide an acceptable photo ID, local mailing address, and email address. Check or credit card only. The Libraries do not accept cash.
Acceptable photo IDs:
- Valid Driver's License w/photo
- Valid State ID w/photo
- Valid Passport w/photo
- Valid U. S. Military ID Card w/photo
- School ID w/photo
- Employee ID w/photo
The ID must have a unique identifier number (an ID or license number assigned by the state, school, or organization).
About the Programs
Membership is issued for a maximum of one year at a time with the exception of Alumni Association Lifetime Members (obtained membership prior to 04/01/12) who must renew their information every five years. To apply, please fill out the Community Borrowers and Researchers Form.
Membership in the Community Borrowers Program permits you:
- to borrow material from all UMD Libraries, including Off-site Shelving
- a 30-day loan period in most cases; all loans are subject to recall
- to have a maximum of 25 items checked out at any one time
- one renewal for each item if not requested/recalled by another user
- use of any of the UMD Libraries' facilities and collections on site, including audiovisual materials, Reserve materials and electronic databases
Membership in the Community Researchers Program permits you:
- to borrow material from all UMD Libraries, including Off-site Shelving
- a 56-day loan period in most cases; all loans are subject to recall
- to have a maximum of 100 items checked out at any one time
- two renewals for each item if not requested/recalled by another user
- use of any of the UMD Libraries' facilities and collections on site, including audiovisual materials, Reserve materials and electronic databases
What is not included:
- Interlibrary Loan
- Remote access to databases that are restricted to UMD faculty and students
- Recall services for UMD materials checked out by other users
- Borrowing materials from any other USMAI (i.e., non-UMD) library
- Late Night Study in McKeldin Library
- Study carrels
Note: The Libraries reserve the right to withdraw or block Community Borrowers or Community Researchers loan privileges for overdue or recalled items that are not returned and for library fines that have not been paid in a timely fashion. Community Borrowers and Community Researchers are subject to overdue and recall fines.
Also note that Community Borrowers and Community Researchers are bound by the same Library User Responsibilities as other library borrowers. General borrowing policies and guidelines may be reviewed at Borrowing Materials from UMD Libraries.
How to Apply
You must present an appropriate photo ID and any required documentation (as indicated above) at McKeldin Library Circulation any time the Circulation Desk is open after completing the Community Borrowers and Researchers Form. Contact McKeldin Library Circulation at (301) 405-9046 or email askmckcirc@umd.edu if you have questions or need additional information.
