• Overdue fines - 23 cents per day, per item Monday through Saturday. We do not charge fines for Sundays.
• Questions concerning lost books, overdue items or fines - contact Karen Reeves at kareeves@oakland.edu or call 248-370-4230
• PAL laptops: We reserve the right to charge replacement costs for any overdue/damaged laptops. (up to $1200 for a computer/bag/powercord). A hold will be placed on your Oakland University account (Registrar) until business is settled with the ERL.
• iPads:  We reserve the right to charge replacement costs for any overdue/damaged iPads. (up to $600 for an iPad/case/powercord). A hold will be placed on your Oakland University account (Registrar) until business is settled with the ERL.
• Fees for lost or damaged books - please contact us immediately so we can work with you to replace the item at the most reasonable cost. Otherwise, automatic fines/fees will be generated through the system at the following rates:
  • $30.00 per book replacement cost
  • $11.00 processing fees
  • Any fines accrued up to $9.89
  • Replacement costs for textbooks and other items may vary

Problems, Blocked Accounts, and Other Services

In order that we may best serve your needs, we encourage you to plan ahead:

If you have business with the ERL such as removing blocks from your account due to fines and fees, borrowing materials that normally do not circulate, borrowing PAL laptops or other materials that require the attention of senior staff, please make sure to consult us during business hours, Monday-Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Our undergraduate student workers do not have authority to override the computer system or access personal patron records.

If you pay a fine during evening hours, our students can make sure that it is posted in the system and give you a receipt; they will leave us a message, and we can remove blocks and clear records first thing the next morning.

If you have extraordinary circumstances, please contact either Karen Reeves (kareeves@oakland.edu- 248-370-4230) or Barb Campbell (begincam@oakland.edu- 248-370-4877) during weekly business hours.

Borrowing Privileges

Oakland faculty, staff and matriculated students may borrow circulating library materials (books, documents, CDs). Borrowers must have a picture OU ID (Spirit card) and must have the card validated at the Circulation Desk. Continuing Education students are eligible for a Guest Library Card. Current members of the Oakland University Alumni Association also have borrowing privileges (how to get an Alumni Library Card). Alumni Cards have the same privileges as Guest cards, but are available to Alumni at no cost. Graduate students working on their dissertations but not currently enrolled need to make special arrangements with the Circulation Manager, to borrow materials. Guest cards are available for purchase for individuals not affiliated with Oakland at a cost of $50.00 per year.

To apply for your card, please visit the ERL Circulation desk during regular daytime hours (8:00 am- 5:00 pm).  Check our home page for up-to-date hours and information.

Off-campus Access to Databases (restricted)

Oakland University students, faculty, and staff have authenticated access to most library resources and databases from off-campus. If you are not a member of one of these groups, you can still get access by making a visit to the Kresge Library or the ERL and using our computers on campus.

Laptop and iPad Carts - Circulation Policy/Procedures

To schedule a cart for use in your classroom, please fill out the Laptop/iPad/SmartBoard Reservation Form which can be accessed from our home page.  This form is immediately emailed to 4 staff members who will verify and complete the reservation on our calendar.  If there is a problem, one of us will get right back with you.    For immediate assistance please call the ERL Circulation desk: 248-370-2485.

When you check out one of our Laptop or iPad carts, you accept full responsibility for the safe return of the equipment before the ERL closes for the day.

If you need the laptop or iPad cart in the evening after the ERL is closed, it is your responsibility to secure the cart and individual machines, and make arrangements to return it to the ERL the next morning.

• The cart and devices should be returned in the same condition they were in when loaned to you. 
• Report any malfunctions, damage or issues to ERL staff immediately.
• Please remind students about proper use and care: prevent water, food, beverages, dirt from getting on the machines.
• Before returning, please count the machines, and make sure they are properly inserted into the cart, attached to the appropriate power cords. 
• Do not lend the cart or contents to any other instructor/student directly. It must be returned to the ERL and re-assigned for checkout by ERL staff.
• All carts and equipment will be inspected upon return.

Individual Guest Card Policies

• Guest card holders may check out up to 5 books at any one time.
• A loan period of 3 weeks; 2 renewals are allowed.

Overdue fines will be $.25 per day per item. Lost materials will be billed at a $70.00 item charge, a $20.00 delinquent penalty, and a $10.00 maximum overdue charge. Services of a collection agency may be engaged in order to retrieve overdue materials if the normal overdue notification procedures fail to elicit their return. The Library reserves the right to withdraw borrowing privileges under such circumstances.

Guest Memberships for the ERL

Guest memberships are available to Public school districts, private schools/charter schools for the following fees.

• Public school district $1,000 per year
• Individual schools/charter schools $100 per year

Guest cards can be obtained after the membership fee has been paid. Prospective borrowers from schools or districts who have paid fees must apply for their card at the ERL circulation desk, and provide a driver's license and proof of employment before a card will be issued. This must be done in person at the ERL circulation desk before materials can be checked out.