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Borrow & Request
Current UST students, staff and faculty can borrow items from Doherty Library. They must come into the library to create an account or email the library at circulation@stthom.edu to update their account before they can check out materials. Alumni, TexShare card holders, and Friends of the Library have limited borrowing privileges. Borrowing privileges will be suspended for patrons with lost, damaged or overdue fees.
Borrowing from Doherty Library
Borrowing from Other Libraries
Interlibrary Loan Request for Materials Outside Doherty Library
Learn about Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services and submit a request for materials that are not available in the Doherty Library collection.
TexShare Consortium Loan Service Request
University of St. Thomas patrons who plan to borrow materials directly from participating TexShare libraries must complete the TexShare application before checking out items. Use this link to access and submit the TexShare application.
Renewals
You may renew:
- Via My Library Account
- In-person at Doherty Library
- Email: Circulation Desk at circulation@stthom.edu
- Phone: Circulation Desk at (713)-525-2180 OR (713)-525-3818
Most items may be renewed three times.
Recalled items may not be renewed.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) renewals are an exception. Request a renewal by:
- Email ILL Staff at Doherty Library loans@stthom.edu
- Phone: ILL Staff at Doherty Library (713)-525-6926 before the due date
One-time renewals are made at the discretion of the lending library. A tentative due date is assigned until the renewal is approved.
Returns
Library users are responsible for returning all borrowed materials by their due dates. Due dates remain in effect even when the Library is closed.
When the Library is closed, most items may be returned using the 24-hour Book Drop located at the front right entrance of Doherty Library.
Please note: Media items, including DVDs, must be returned directly to the Library and should not be placed in the Book Drop.
Fines and Fees
The Library does not charge overdue fines. Fees are assessed only for lost or damaged materials.
All fines and fees must be paid in full.
Patrons are responsible for all fees associated with Interlibrary Loan materials, including charges for lost or damaged items. These fees are assessed by Library staff.
Lost and Damaged Books and Materials
If you lose a University of St. Thomas library book, the following fines will appear on your account:
| Lost Item Replacement Fee | $100.00 |
| Lost Item Processing Fee | $20.00 |
If you find and return the lost item to the library, the following fines are amended:
| Lost Item Replacement Fee | WAIVED |
| Lost Item Processing Fee | WAIVED |
Replacement copies of lost books are not accepted.
Search Request
If a library user believes that they have returned a lost book to the library, they may submit a Search Request at the Circulation Desk. The library staff will search for the book for two weeks.
If the book is found in those two weeks:
Lost Item Replacement Fee | WAIVED |
Lost Item Processing Fee | WAIVED |
If the book is not found after two weeks of searching, the library user you will be responsible for all fines associated with the lost item ($120.00 total).
Lost Item Replacement Fee | $100.00 |
Lost Item Processing Fee | $20.00 |
You may request a Search Request by one of these methods:
- In-person at Doherty Library
- Email: Circulation Desk at Doherty Library circulation@stthom.edu
- Phone: Circulation Desk at Doherty Library (713)-525-2180 OR (713)-525-3818
A notice will be emailed indicating that:
- the book has been found and is being held, or
- the book is missing from the collection, and your library account will be charged for the item’s replacement fee and lost processing fee.
If you lose a book that you have borrowed from one of the TexShare consortium libraries, you must contact the lending library directly with any questions or concerns regarding the book or the associated fines.
Book Pickup and Recalls
Patrons with an active library account in good standing may request eligible library materials. Available books may be retrieved from the stacks for pickup at the circulation desk. Materials that are unavailable (e.g., checked out, in process, or being cataloged) may be placed on hold. Patrons will be notified when requested items are available, and materials will be held at the circulation desk for three (3) days. Course Reserve and reference materials are not eligible for requests.
Current faculty, students, and staff may request a recall for circulating items that are checked out to another user. Recalled items must be returned within 15 days. Reserve materials cannot be recalled. Recalled items will be held at the circulation desk for three (3) days after the requestor is notified.
Proxy Borrowing
University of St. Thomas faculty may designate another faculty, student, or staff as a proxy who is authorized to borrow materials from Doherty Library on their behalf. A faculty member is entitled to one proxy.
Materials borrowed by the proxy are charged to the faculty member’s account and the faculty member is responsible for all materials borrowed, including losses or damages and any fines or fees that may result. Overdue notices and other communications are sent to the faculty borrower and that individual’s account may be blocked if materials are not returned.
Faculty members may authorize a proxy for up to a full academic year by completing and submitting a Proxy Borrowing Form.
Updated July 22, 2026