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Student Resources

Landing page for student resources available at Blume Library

Borrowing from Blue Library

Blume Library Circulation Policies

These policies apply only to the Blume Library. The Law Library has its own policies.

Categories of Borrowers & Borrowing Privileges

Effective Fall 2022

  • Undergraduate Students--6 Books--Four Weeks--One Renewal
  • Graduate Students--15 Books--Four Weeks--One Renewal
  • Doctoral Students--15 Books--Four Weeks--One Renewal
  • Law Students--15 Books--Four Weeks--One Renewal (This policy applies only to books checked out from the Blume Library. As per Law Library policy, there is no grace period for Law students).
  • Staff--6 Books--Four Weeks--One Renewal
  • Faculty--30 Books--One Semester--One Renewal
  • TexShare Card Holders--4 Books--Two Weeks--One Renewal
  • Special Card Holders--2 Books--Two Weeks--One Renewal

Library Cards

  • St. Mary's students, faculty, and staff must present a valid St. Mary's Rattler ID card in order to check out library materials.
  • Alumni may purchase special cards for $35.00. Alumni may borrow two books per two-week checkout period. Non-alumni may purchase special cards for $100.00. Borrowing privileges are the same as for alumni.
  • TexShare Card holders from participating libraries should present their TexShare card and university/college ID card.
  • The TexShare Card program allows St. Mary's students, faculty, and staff to check out materials from participating libraries throughout the State of Texas. Please inquire at the Circulation Counter for more information.
  • Members of the St. Mary's Law School community (students, faculty, and staff) are not eligible to receive TexShare cards from the Blume Library. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. Please contact the Law Library Director for further information.

Library Fines and Replacement Charges

Fines for Circulating Books

  1. A fine of $0.25 per day will be charged for each overdue book.
  2. Fines will begin to accrue after a two-day grace period. (The grace period does not apply to Law students as per Law Library policy. Please direct comments or questions to the Law Library.)
  3. The maximum fine is $15.00 per book.
  4. After the maximum fine is reached, the book is considered lost and the patron is billed accordingly ($15.00 fine plus $15.00 billing fee per book.) If the book is not returned, see below for the information on lost books.
  5. If you aren't sure of the amount of the library fine, call the Blume Library Circulation Counter at (210) 436-3430 or log in to your Library Account in the Library Catalog.
  6. The Circulation Manager receives a payment receipt after you pay online. Your account will be cleared if the payment is received before 5 pm from Monday to Friday. Payments after 5 pm will be cleared the next business day.
  7. If you require library access sooner, you MUST print a copy of the PAYMENT CONFIRMATION PAGE generated by the Pay Online system and bring it to the Blume Library Circulation Counter.

Fines for Reserve Items

  1. Fines for hourly Reserve items are $0.50 per item per hour up to a maximum of $5.00.
  2. Fines for all other Reserve items (1 day, 3 days, 7 days, videos) are $1.00 per item per day up to a maximum of $10.00.

Lost Books

  1. The borrower must pay the replacement cost of the book plus a $10.00 re-processing charge plus a $15.00 billing fee.
  2. Replacement costs for out-of-print books are $35.00 per book plus a $10.00 re-processing charge plus a $15.00 billing fee.
  3. If a lost and paid-for book is found within the fiscal year (June 1 - May 31), the replacement cost will be refunded to the borrower, minus the $15.00 billing fee and $15.00 fines.
  4. Billing fees and fines are not refundable.

Clearance of Library Charges

  1. All monetary transactions with the Blume Library must be handled at the Circulation Counter from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  2. Exceptions can be made for borrowers who cannot get to the Blume Library at these times.
  3. Such arrangements must be made in advance with the Circulation Supervisor.

Failure to Clear Library Charges

  1. Failure to clear library charges will result in immediate loss of borrowing privileges, including borrowing Reserve items.
  2. Continued failure to clear library charges will result in denial of permission to register, receive grades and transcripts, and ultimately, to graduate.

Holds Policy

  • Every patron is entitled to one (1) renewal unless another patron places a hold on the checked-out item.
  • In such cases, the placer of the hold is entitled to check out the item, and the renewal privilege is canceled.
  • Holds may not be placed on Reserve items.
  • Holds are filled in the order they are placed.
  • These policies apply only in the Blume Library.

Suggest a Purchase

Please use this form to request that the Blume Library purchase a book or other item. Since funds are limited, we can't promise to purchase every request, but we do give every request serious consideration.

Requests should fall within the guidelines of the Library's Collection Development Policy. Requests are accepted only from members of the St. Mary's University community.

For more information about books, ebooks, and other media in the Blume Library collection, please contact Margaret Sylvia, Assistant Director for Technical Services. 

Request a Purchase Form