731-881-7092
The Circulation Department is responsible for checking books in and out, returning books to the stacks, and making sure the stacks are in order. This department is also in charge of collecting fines for overdue books, billing for lost books, and locating missing material. In addition, circulation handles the reserve reading collection.
Confidentiality of Library Circulation Records
Circulation records are confidential. The Library does not reveal the titles or nature of the materials checked out by any library patron. The Library does not knowingly issue materials to anyone but the card owner.
Reserve Reading Collection
To enable entire classes to read required material, faculty members will often place library or personal materials on reserve. These materials are kept on shelves behind the circulation desk (recordings on reserve as well as some music books on reserve are kept in the listening room). The loan period is determined by the faculty member, and varies from Library Use Only (these materials are meant to be used in the library) up to a three-day reserve. Overdue reserve fines are $1.00 per day. .
Book Returns
Books and other materials should be returned to the circulation desk when the library is open. There is a book drop which may be used when the library is closed.
Overdue and Lost Material
The Library will issue notices on a regular basis for overdue materials. After the third notice is issued, the Library will notify and bill the user for the cost of the material, plus a $10.00 processing fee. Students who are check-listed may not register for classes until the fee is paid. Others will lose library privileges. Patrons will be charged for all items that are lost or damaged beyond repair plus a $10.00 processing fee per item.
Borrowing Privileges
The Paul Meek Library holdings and services are available primarily for students, faculty, faculty's immediate family, and staff of the University. All other adults residing in any Tennessee county or in Fulton County, Kentucky may have limited borrowing privileges. Students and faculty are issued an identification card which must be presented at the Circulation Desk before checking out library materials. Non-university borrowers are issued a special library card which also must be presented in order to borrow books. The library has open stacks and everyone is entitled to browse. Books used only in the library need not be checked out. PLEASE DO NOT RESHELVE BOOKS THAT ARE USED IN THE LIBRARY. Place them on a table or return them to the Circulation Desk to be reshelved. The library reserves the right to limit the number of books or other materials which can be borrowed by one individual.
Library Closing Procedure
An announcement is made on the public address system 30 minutes prior to closing announcing that the computer lab will close at 15 til and that the laptop computers need to be returned to the Media Department. The lights are turned off briefly at fifteen minutes prior to the closing hour as a reminder that we are in the process of closing the building. NO SERVICES WILL BE GIVEN AT THE CIRCULATION DESK THE LAST TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE CLOSING HOUR. At 5 minutes before closing time another announcement is issued. This indicates that you should be leaving the library. The outside doors are locked at five minutes before the library is closed.
The above listed times are an approximation and while the staff and students attempt to adhere to the schedule there may be some variances.
