Doherty Library – University of St. Thomas
Borrowing Policies
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@sthom.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.
Faculty members may authorize their staff to check out books for them. Faculty members must send an e-mail to circulation@sthom.edu stating the name, or names of the people they would like to be able to check out books for them. Individuals borrowing for faculty must present a valid photo ID card when checking out books.
Loan Periods and Renewals
Patron Type | Main Coll. | Popular Books | Grad Phil | Max Items at a time |
Student | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | X | 75 |
Faculty (PT* & FT) | End of Semester | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | X | 30 (PT) 125 (FT) |
Staff | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | X | 75 |
Alumni | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | X | 4 |
Audit | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | X | 4 |
Board of Directors | End of Semester | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | X | 10 |
Grad Phil (Student) | End of Semester | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | End of Semester | 20 |
Grad Phil (Faculty) | End of Semester | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | End of Semester | 5 (PT) 20 (FT) |
Friends of Doherty Library | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | X | 4 |
TexShare (Non-UST) | 5 weeks, 3 renewals | X | X | 4 |
Note: The information above is intended as a general overview. For comprehensive details on all loan collections, borrowing policies, loan periods, and renewals, please consult the Circulation Policies [2026].
Renewals
Books can be renewed 3 times per semester if:
- The item has not been requested by someone else.
- Fines are less than $10.
Fines
All fines and fees must be paid in full.
- No late fees are accrued.
- Fines & fees are only accrued for lost and damaged materials.
Interlibrary Loan fees and lost materials fees will be the responsibility of the patron and will be assessed by the library staff.
Interlibrary Loan
Request books, articles, and other materials from partner libraries when they are not available in Doherty Library collections. To submit a request, visit the Interlibrary Loan LibGuide. For information about borrowing materials from participating Texas libraries, see the TexShare LibGuide.
Lending Policy
The purpose of Interlibrary Loans is to provide research materials that are not available in Doherty Library collections. ILL services are governed by current copyright laws and guidelines, the Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States, and the lending library’s policy. Material borrowed via Interlibrary Loan at Doherty Library is the responsibility of the borrower from the time it is picked up from Doherty Library until it is returned to Doherty Library.
Eligibility and Borrowing
Users must be a current UST student, faculty, or staff member. Materials that are owned by, or accessible at Doherty Library are not available for request. Due dates are set by the lending library. Interlibrary loan privileges will be suspended for users with overdue items on their account. Users will be notified by email when a requested item is available.
Charges and Financial Responsibilities
Interlibrary loan is a free service; however, some libraries may charge a fee for use of their materials. Users must authorize in advance any cost that may be incurred and remit payment at the circulation desk. The lending library may charge lost or replacement fines which will be charged to the user’s account. Any fines exceeding $10 will result in a suspension of all library privileges until paid.
Policy History: Approved 6/2/2025