User Services

The User Services department is responsible for patron access to services and materials as well as for general building operation. This includes addressing security concerns, requesting facility maintenance, and enforcing other building policies.

User Privileges

Access to services and materials in the Library, fees and fines are based on a patron's privilege type. Unless otherwise specified, fines will be levied for all materials returned late and for lost/non-returned items.

  • Currently-registered UAH students or current UAH employees will need to show their UAH Charger Card / university ID card (either the physical card or the university issued digital card) to check out materials at User Services or for other Library services (MultiMaker Lab checkouts, etc.)
  • Other user types will need to show their library guest card for Library services.
  • Alternatively, any user can also present a valid photo ID to access privileges.

Privilege Types

The Library offers access and services to two categories of users: UAH campus users and community users.

  • Campus users include UAH faculty and staff; part-time, visiting, and temporary faculty and staff; emeritus faculty; and currently-enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. 
  • Community users include retired UAH faculty and staff; UAH alumni; Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members; community college students; high school students; local educational employees and students; and Book Checkout/PC Use and PC Use Only accounts. 
  • Access to books, computers, online resources, reserve materials (including study rooms, laptops, iPads, etc.), Interlibrary Loan, and other services will vary for different user types.

Fines and Payment

Fines and fees are charged to ensure prompt return of materials and to cover the replacement of lost or damaged materials.

  • Payment is handled according to University guidelines and audit recommendations. Library patrons may incur fees, fines or other pecuniary assessments that must be paid in full at the time they are billed. 
  • This debt to the Library will be held indefinitely until it is paid or until it is deemed uncollectible. 
  • Unpaid fines may result in a hold on the patron’s account, affecting the ability to check out materials, access resources remotely, and register for classes.
  • Periodically, the Library Director may establish a designated fine and fee amnesty time period, during which Library staff will accept from cardholders overdue items loaned from the library with no fines assessed. This excludes charges for interlibrary loan services and materials; charges for lost or damaged items; or other Library-related non-overdue charges.

Academic Reserves

Instructors may ask that the Library pull items from the collection and place them on reserve for students in a particular class. These items will have shorter loan periods and in some cases may be restricted for use only within the Library building.

 

Updated June 12, 2025