Borrow, Renew, Return

A CSUN MataCard or physical CSUN ID card is required for current CSUN students, faculty (including emeritus), and staff to check out circulating books and other materials in-person in the University Library. Other Library users (Friends, Legacy Alumni, TCC, High School Partnership Program, other CSUN affiliates, etc.) with current physical CSUN Library cards/barcodes obtained from the Guest Services desk can also check out books in person. Note that Interlibrary Loan/CSU+ materials borrowed from other libraries are checked out to eligible CSUN users and picked up from the Library’s Lockers.  Read more about Library Access, Borrowing, and Resources for Friends, Alumni, Emeritus Faculty, CSUN Affiliates, and Visitors

Questions? Contact Guest Services at libcirc@csun.edu or call (818) 677-2274.

CSUN students, faculty, and staff using their CSUN portal login credentials and other Library users (Friends, Legacy Alumni, TCC, High School Partnership Program, other CSUN affiliates, etc.) with current CSUN Library cards/barcodes and a OneSearch user account obtained at the Guest Services desk can borrow circulating books and and other materials using our contactless, self-service Locker Pickup Service. You are welcome to pick up your items from the Lockers, which are located outside the Library to the right (east) of the main entrance 6:00am - 10:00pm, seven days a week.  Read more about Library Access, Borrowing, and Resources for Friends, Alumni, Emeritus Faculty, CSUN Affiliates, and Visitors

Locker Pickup Service is also available for books borrowed by eligible CSUN students, faculty (including emeritus), and staff from other libraries via Interlibrary Loan or CSU+ (see Frequently Asked Questions about Interlibrary Loan).

Here’s how it works:

1. When you find your item in OneSearch, click Sign In, then click the Request link next to the title and select "Library Lockers".
2. Library staff will retrieve your requested items and place them in a locker located outside, on the Library portico (see Building Access map), and you will be notified via email when ready for pickup.
3. The free Luxer One mobile app lets you automatically open your designated locker, pick up your pre-checked out item(s), and go. Alternatively, an iPad is available at the locker location to enter your assigned numeric or QR code to open the locker.
4. See Locker Pickup Service for more information.

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Questions? Email libcirc@csun.edu or call (818) 677-2274.

Loan periods for circulating library books, media, equipment, and other materials are as follows:

Regular circulating books and media:

• CSUN Students: 16 weeks + one renewal (while registered or continuing students at CSUN)
• CSUN Faculty and staff: 365 days + one renewal (while employed at CSUN or Emeritus) 
• Friends of the Library, Legacy/Lifetime Alumni Association members, and TCC Cardholders: 2 weeks  + one renewal

Specialized Materials:

• CSU+ borrowing: 16 weeks (CSUN users only)
• Circulating media collection: 60 days (14 days for non-CSUN users)
• Course Reserves: CSUN students only; loan periods depend on the type of material; the most popular items (textbooks, DVDs/CDs) are usually hourly loans and for in-library use only)
• Laptops, Tablets, and Devices: CSUN users only and loan periods vary (see Device Loaner Program and Library Tech Accessory Checkouts
• Creative Maker Studio: multimedia equipment checkout is for CSUN students only and loan periods vary

See Library Fees for Late, Missing or Damaged Items for fee schedule and payment.

Options to renew regular Library materials:

• From OneSearch, click Sign In and follow on-screen instructions to login with your campus or guest account credentials to access your Library account in OneSearch.
  1. Click on your name in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on My Loans and select items to renew.
• Email a renewal request using our online renewal form.
• Renew items by calling (818) 677-4745 (available 24 hours a day).

Please Note

• Once an item is renewed the maximum number of times, you will not be able to renew it, and it must be returned.
• Books recalled by the Library to put on reserve for a class cannot be renewed.
• Overdue books cannot be renewed.
• To renew Library technology items, see the Creative Maker Studio/Library Technology Service Renewal Guide.
• To request renewal for materials borrowed from non-CSU libraries via Interlibrary Loan see the ILL FAQ page.
• Books borrowed from other CSU libraries via CSU+ are not renewable, see CSU+ FAQ page.
• Items on reserve may only be renewed by returning item to Guest Services desk and checking them out again. Renewal may be declined if others have requested the same item. Reserve items may not be renewed online or over the phone.

There are three ways to return Library materials:

1. Library Book Drops:
   • Appropriate materials that can be securely returned to Library book drops include:
     • Books from the Main Stacks, Stored (ASRS), Bestsellers, and Gohstand Reading Room checked out at the Guest Services Checkout desk, unless oversized.
     • CDs/DVDs/VHS and books borrowed from the TCC/Music & Media desk, unless on reserve.
     • Books and other materials borrowed from other libraries via Interlibrary Loan/CSU+, unless oversized.
   • Book drop slots are 12 inches by 4 inches. If the book is oversized, return it to the Guest Services desk or other service desks during open hours.
   • Books, media, and other materials on course reserve and borrowed from Guest Services (Main Floor, Library lobby) or TCC/Music & Media (2nd floor, east wing) must be returned to those desks and if hourly loans, cannot leave the Library.
   • Equipment borrowed from the LTS or CMS must be returned in-person to their service desks
   • Book drops are emptied, and materials checked in at least 3 times per week.
   • Note: If a book drop is full, do not place materials outside the book drop; instead, use another library book drop.
2. Library service desk:
   • Materials can always be returned to the service desk from which they were borrowed during open hours or ask at the Guest Services Checkout desk if unsure.
   • Guest Services Checkout (main floor): Return oversized books from Main Stacks, Stored (ASRS), Bestsellers, and Gohstand Reading Room or oversized books borrowed from other libraries via Interlibrary Loan or CSU+.
   • Guest Services desk (main floor, Library lobby) or TCC/Music & Media service desk (2nd floor, east wing): all materials on course reserve or oversized materials.
   • LTS service desk (Learning Commons): All equipment (laptops/hotspots/cameras, etc.), borrowed from LTS/CMS. For more information, call (818) 677-6304.
   • TCC/Music & Media service desk (2nd floor east wing): Kits and games, oversized materials, and materials on course reserve.
3. By Mail:
   • Library materials, except laptops/equipment and InterLibrary Loan items, can also be mailed at the user’s expense to:
     
     University Library
     Attn: Guest Services
     CSUN
     18111 Nordhoff Street
     Northridge CA 91330-8327

Questions? Contact libcirc@csun.edu or call (818) 677-2274 about books and other Library materials; or Library Technology Services at (818) 677-6304 or the Creative Maker Studio at (818) 677-2595 about laptops and other equipment.