Special Borrower Privileges / Albert S. Cook Library

Special Borrower Privileges

The primary purpose of our collection is to support the academic and research endeavors of our students, faculty and staff. Members of the local community are welcome to use our resources, both print and electronic, in person at the Cook Library. Remote access to online databases is restricted by licensing to current TU students, faculty and staff. Borrowing privileges are limited to TU students, faculty and staff with a few exceptions.

Affiliated Borrowers

University departments may request special library privileges for persons affiliated with their department. Participants in the Global Business Incubator Program, please click here.

Community Borrowers

Cook Library also provides borrowing privileges to community members on a case-by-case basis. Borrowing privileges are extended, based on the following criteria:

College and university students who currently live in the area but need to complete assignments for an institution that is out of state
Maryland teachers who need to borrow books for a short period to support their classroom instruction
Community members conducting research for a special project and need library resources that are not available through the Public Library system.

If you fall into one of these categories, please contact the Circulation Manager at Cook Library.

Registration

Affiliated and community borrowers must complete a Guest Registration Form and provide the following information:

Affiliated Borrowers

Request initiated by a current TU employee on department letterhead with the following information:
- Name of affiliated department, group or instructor
- Name, phone number and e-mail address of the contact person
- Duration of privileges or last day of class
- Type of privilege: undergraduate, graduate, faculty, staff or visitor
Completed Patron Registration Form with photo ID

Community Borrowers

Completed Patron Registration Form with photo ID
- Full name
- E-mail address
- Phone number
- Signature
- Social Security Number
- Mailing address
- Justification of need

Each individual will be entered in the Library's Database using the information provided on the registration form. Patrons will be issued a library card with a 14-digit library number. Patrons must pick up the library card at the Circulation Desk, located on the main level of the Albert S. Cook Library.

Library Privileges

Access to electronic resources, in house only
Access to the media resources lab and materials
Access to periodicals, microfilms and microfiche collections in house
Reference assistance in person, via instant messaging, email, or telephone
Ability to search the library's online catalog and electronic journals
Ability to borrow circulating materials from Cook Library - Loan period 28 days
Ability to renew library materials remotely or physically
Courtesy reminders of upcoming due dates
Notification if another patron needs items that are on loan to your account
Free replacement of library cards if lost or damaged

Rules and Responsibilities

Special borrowers are subject to all the rules and regulations of the Albert S. Cook Library. Cardholders are responsible for all materials borrowed and for any fees assessed when materials charged to the library account are lost, damaged or returned late. Please notify us if the library card is lost or stolen.

When borrowing materials, the cardholder must present a picture ID along with the original library card. Photocopies of the library card will not be accepted.

Special Borrower Privileges / Albert S. Cook Library
http://cooklibrary.towson.edu/circServicesSpecialBorrowers.cfm
Last revised: April 09, 2008

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