Community Borrowers

The ID must have a unique identifier number (e.g., an ID or license number assigned by the government, school, or organization) and a photo. Examples: 

• Valid Driver's License 
• Valid State ID 
• Valid Passport 
• Valid U. S. Military ID Card 
• School ID 
• Employee ID 

In some cases, a specific ID from this may be needed, e.g., to confirm employment or institutional affiliation in order to qualify for complimentary membership.    

Membership is issued for a maximum of one year (365 days) at a time. 

• Exception: Lifetime Alumni Association members who purchased their membership before April 1, 2012, who must renew their Community Borrower membership every five years.
• Reciprocal borrowers who qualify for free membership: their membership duration will be one year or the expiration date on their card/form, whichever expires first.

Membership in the Community Borrowers Program permits you:

• to borrow material from all libraries at the University of Maryland's College Park campus, Shady Grove campus, and Severn Library
• 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, unless it has been recalled
• book paging that allows requests for items from any branch to be delivered to any other branch, or to request an item from the shelves to be delivered to the Library Services Desk

What is not included:

• No access to Interlibrary Loan
• No remote access to databases, eBooks, or other online resources 
• No recall services for UMD materials checked out by other users
• No borrowing materials from any other USMAI library
• No Late Night Study in McKeldin Library
• No Room reservations

Note: The Libraries reserve the right to withdraw or block Community Borrowers loan privileges for overdue or recalled items that are not returned and for library fines that are not paid in a timely fashion. Community Borrowers are subject to overdue and recall fines.

Also note that Community Borrowers 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.

Library users can become Community Borrowers for one of the following fees:

• Big Ten Library Users (with authentication): Free
• CIRLA, OCLC, or SHARES reciprocal borrowers (with identification): Free
• FDA, NASA Goddard, and NOAA employees (with identification): Free
• Current members of the UMD Alumni Association* or Friends of the Libraries: $25 per year
• Other community members (with acceptable photo ID): $50 per year

*Lifetime Alumni Association members who purchased their membership before April 1, 2012, will continue to receive free borrowing privileges.

Payment

A check, credit card, or debit card is required for payment. The Libraries do not accept cash or money orders. 

The following card types are accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express  

Please note that payment, once made, is final and cannot be refunded.  

1. Complete the Community Borrowers Form.
2. Follow the instructions outlined in your confirmation email, which should arrive within 15 minutes. These steps will vary depending on your affiliation. Present the appropriate photo ID and any required documentation and payment (as indicated in your confirmation email) at the 1st floor Library Services Desk, McKeldin Library.

Note: Applications and credit/debit card payments (if applicable) should be made in advance. We cannot guarantee an authorized staff person will be available to create same-day cards. Additionally, Community Borrower Card pick up and processing ends 30 minutes prior to closing.

Contact the McKeldin Library Services Desk at (301) 405-9046 or email askmckcirc@umd.edu if you have questions or need additional information.

1. Complete the Community Borrowers Form, selecting “Yes, I wish to renew My Account.”.
2. Follow the steps outlined in your confirmation email, which should arrive within 15 minutes. These steps will vary depending on your affiliation and whether a new card is needed.

Note: Renewal applications and credit/debit card payments (if applicable) should be made in advance. We cannot guarantee an authorized staff person will be available to process same-day renewals. Additionally, Community Borrower renewal processing ends 30 minutes prior to closing.

Contact the McKeldin Library Services Desk at (301) 405-9046 or email askmckcirc@umd.edu if you have questions or need additional information.

Community Borrowers have access to their My Account, just like UMD affiliates.

1. Go to the toolbar at the top of the page. Click "Accounts."
2. Choose the first option named "My Account"
3. Choose the second option, "Community Borrower"
4. Type the barcode on the back of your borrower card into the Barcode field
5. Type your password and click Log In. If you need to create or reset your password, click the Reset Password link below and follow email instructions.