Borrow, Renew, Request
The collections of the Irwin Library and the Ruth Lilly Science Library are available for use by all members of the Butler community. Limited access to library materials is extended to readers and researchers outside the Butler community.
Library materials may be used in the libraries, or they can be borrowed using a Butler ID card or a Special Borrower’s library card. For more information please select from the list to the right.
Irwin Library’s bound journals collection is now stored in compact shelving on the lower level; Butler users can request copies of articles from those volumes by entering a citation as if it were an interlibrary article request after signing in to their account.
To monitor your due-dates or to renew your materials online log into My Library Account.
Undergraduate Students
Butler University Libraries provides undergraduate students with borrowing policies that will meet their educational needs through the access of numerous resources and technology.
| Loan Type | Loan Period | Max # of Items | Max # of Renewals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 60 Days | 50 | 2 |
| Media (CDs, DVDs) | 14 Days | 10 | 2 |
| Score | 60 Days | 25 | 2 |
All students currently enrolled at Butler University are eligible to check out materials from the Butler University Libraries. Borrowers must present a valid ID card at the Information Commons Desks at Irwin or Science, or the Self-Checkout machine in Science or the Education Resource Library, when checking out materials. Browsing books are limited to a maximum of 10 items checked out at one time.
Overdue
Overdue notices will be emailed to students several times before an item(s) is declared lost. To ensure a timely return of books and to avoid fees for lost materials, students are encouraged to monitor their due-dates via My Library Account. If library material is returned undamaged within 30 days past the due date, then the student will not be charged any fees.
Billing
After 30 days, library materials are declared lost and a bill will be emailed to the student and to Student Accounts. Students will have to pay an irreversible replacement cost (ranging from $15–$200+). If the bill is greater than $195 a department requested hold will be placed on the student’s account and will not be lifted until the bill is settled.
Please direct any questions regarding overdue items and billing to circ@butler.edu.
If an item has had a hold placed on it or the maximum renewal count has been met (please refer to the chart above in Loan Periods) then renewal will not be available.
Renewals may be made online using your Library Account, at either Information Commons Desk, by telephone, or by email:
Irwin Library: 317-940-9227 or circ@butler.edu
Students are able to request items that are not owned by Butler University or are not currently available. The three options to retrieve these items include PALShare, which is typically the fastest option, Interlibrary Loan (ILL), and the ALI Reciprocal Borrowing Program. More information can be found on our Interlibrary Loan and PALShare page.
Materials can be returned at the Information Commons desks in Irwin Library or the Science Library, and after-hour book drops are available at both libraries by the main entrances. Reserve items must be returned directly to the Information Commons or circulation desk in which they were originally checked out.
Graduate Students
Borrowing policies for graduate students are centered around their use of resources and technology for advanced research and specialization.
| Loan Type | Loan Period | Max # of Items | Max # of Renewals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 90 Days | 50 | 2 |
| Media (CDs, DVDs) | 14 Days | 10 | 2 |
| LPs (Vinyl) | 7 Days | 10 | 2 |
| Score | 90 Days | 25 | 2 |
All students currently enrolled at Butler University are eligible to check out materials from the Butler University Libraries. Borrowers must present a valid ID card at the Information Commons Desk when checking out materials. Browsing books are limited to a maximum of 10 items checked out at one time.
Overdue
Overdue notices will be emailed to students several times before an item(s) is declared lost. To ensure a timely return of books and to avoid fees for lost materials, students are encouraged to monitor their due-dates via My Library Account. If library material is returned undamaged within 30 days past the due date, then the student will not be charged any fees.
Billing
After 30 days, library materials are declared lost and a bill will be emailed to the student and to Student Accounts. Students will have to pay an irreversible replacement cost (ranging from $15–$200+). If the bill is greater than $195 a department requested hold will be placed on the student’s account and will not be lifted until the bill is settled.
Please direct any questions regarding overdue items and billing to circ@butler.edu.
If an item has had a hold placed on it or the maximum renewal count has been met (please refer to the chart above in Loan Periods) then renewal will not be available.
Renewals may be made online using your Library Account, in person at either Information Commons Desk, by telephone, or by email:
Irwin Library: 317-940-9227 or circ@butler.edu
Students are able to request items that are not owned by Butler University or are not currently available. The three options to retrieve these items include PALShare, which is typically the fastest option, Interlibrary Loan (ILL), and the ALI Reciprocal Borrowing Program. More information can be found on our Interlibrary Loan and PALShare page.
Materials can be returned at the Information Commons desks in Irwin Library or the Science Library, and after-hour book drops are available at both libraries by the main entrances. Reserve items must be returned directly to the Information Commons or circulation desk in which they were originally checked out.
Faculty/Staff
Faculty and staff borrowing policies accommodate teaching and instruction by granting longer loan periods, material holds, and recalls.
| Loan Type | Loan Period* | Max # of Items* | Max # of Renewals* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 6 Months / 60 Days | 100 / 50 | 2 |
| Periodical | 30 Days / Unable to Check Out | 10 | 2 / 0 |
| Media (CDs, DVDs) | 30 Days / 14 Days | 20 | 4 / 2 |
| LPs (Vinyl) | 30 Days / 14 Days | 20 / 10 | 4 / 2 |
| Score | 6 Months / 30 Days | 50 / 25 | 3 / 2 |
All faculty and staff members currently employed by Butler University and Emeriti faculty are eligible to check out materials from the Butler University Libraries. Borrowers must present a valid ID card at either Information Commons Desk, or the self-check machines in Education or Science, when checking out materials. Emeriti faculty receive Special Borrower privileges. Browsing books are limited to a maximum of 10 items checked out at one time.
*Note: If a parenthesis (/) is shown, then the left side refers to faculty, and the right side refers to staff.
Faculty and staff members will receive several overdue emails, but will not be assessed late fees.
An item will be declared lost if the faculty or staff member has not returned the item or responded to the final overdue notice sent to them via email from the Evening Information Commons Staff Assistant.
If an item has had a hold placed on it or the maximum renewal count has been met (please refer to the chart above in Loan Periods) then renewal will not be available.
Renewals may be made online using your library account, at the Information Commons Desk, by telephone, or by email:
Irwin Library: 317-940-9227 or circ@butler.edu
Once an item has been renewed to its limit, the patron is encouraged to bring the item to the library so it can be checked in. If no one else has requested the item, faculty and staff are allowed to immediately check out the item and this will reset the item renewal count.
Holds and recalls may be made by contacting library staff by telephone or email:
Irwin Library: 317-940-9227 or circ@butler.edu
Holds
Faculty and staff members may place a hold on a Butler-owned item by contacting library staff. If the item is currently checked out, we recommend PALShare or ILL instead, which will almost always be faster. When the item is available, you will be contacted by email and the item will be held at the desk under your name.
Items found through the use of a missing item form and new book requests will also be placed on hold for the patron.
Items from the general collection will be held on the shelf for one week, while items from the reference and reserve collections are unavailable for holds.
Recalls
If your need is immediate, please ask that your item be recalled.
When patrons ask that an item be recalled, the requested materials will be recalled by the Libraries within three to seven days, depending on the circulation status of the materials.
Faculty and staff are able to request items that are not owned by Butler University or are not currently available. The three options to retrieve these items include PALShare, which is typically the fastest option, Interlibrary Loan (ILL), and the ALI Reciprocal Borrowing Program. More information can be found on our Interlibrary Loan and PALShare page.
Materials can be returned at the Information Commons desks in Irwin Library or the Science Library, and after-hour book drops are available at both libraries by the main entrances.
Other Borrowers
It is the mission of the Butler University Libraries to share our resources with patrons outside the immediate Butler community by granting limited borrowing privileges to encourage learning and the value of education.
The general public may visit the Butler University Libraries and read or browse the collections. Those who live in Marion, Hendricks, Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Shelby, and Johnson counties may receive borrowing privileges for one year for a fee of $50 (payment must be exact cash, check, credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay). To obtain a Special Borrowers card, please speak with someone at the Information Commons Desk.
| Loan Type | Loan Period | Max # of Items | Max # of Renewals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 60 Days | 10 | 0 |
| Media (CDs, DVDs) | 14 Days | 2 | 0 |
| Score | 60 Days | 5 | 0 |
Borrowers must present a valid ID card at the Information Commons Desk when checking out materials.
Overdue
Overdue notices will be emailed to special borrowers three times before an item(s) is declared lost. To ensure a timely return of books and to avoid fees for lost materials, patrons are able to check their due-dates by contacting the Information Commons Desk at 317-940-9227 or circ@butler.edu.
Lost Materials
Once library materials are declared lost, the special borrower’s account will be immediately blocked until the item(s) is returned undamaged or the replacement cost is paid in full. The Butler University Libraries reserve the right to block a special borrower’s account at any time and may refuse to reinstate the account even if the lost item is returned undamaged and/or the replacement cost bill is settled.
Please direct any questions regarding overdue items and billing to circ@butler.edu.
Materials can be returned at the Information Commons desk in Irwin Library, the circulation desk in the Science Library, and after-hour book drops are available at both libraries by the main entrances.
Service desk on the first floor; Center for Academic Technology offices on the third floor
Irwin Library
4600 Sunset Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-940-9227
Science Library
317-940-9401