These privileges and policies are applicable to those who have a Princeton University Library borrowing account as BorrowDirect+ users and those who have purchased borrowing privileges, including alumni. 

Get more information about access and borrowing privileges

Borrowers may check out a maximum of 25 items. Items are loaned for 4 weeks. Borrowers may not borrow DVDs, or items from reserve, from Interlibrary Loan or from Borrow Direct.

Renewals

Online renewal is available for most items, up to a maximum of one year, through Your Account.  Select “Log in with Alma Account (affiliates)”.  Once renewal limits have been reached, books must be returned to the shelves so that other patrons have an opportunity to use the material. 

Returns

Books must be returned to Princeton University Library. If books are returned elsewhere, late fees will be in effect.

Recalls

Any item that has been checked out may be recalled for course reserves.  Once recalled, the borrower will receive notice of a new due date.  Failure to return the item by the new due date will result in the suspension of privileges and a fine of $1.00 per day until the item is returned.

Fines

Fines of $0.25 per day will be applied to all books that are not returned or renewed by the due date. Borrowing privileges will be suspended if the total in fines and fees is $20 or higher. Fines may be paid at the Firestone Circulation Desk by credit card.

Bills for Replacement

If a book is long overdue or damaged, you will be billed a minimum replacement fee of $100. The Library reserves the right to adjust the replacement fee upward if it does not cover the cost of the replacement. It may be possible to replace the lost item with a new book of the same edition and a $50 processing fee will be charged.

Electronic Resources

Borrowers may access Princeton University Library networked databases, e-books, and other digital collections at any library public workstation. Please note that these databases are not available to non-Princeton University users outside of the Library. Also, please note that even in the library, some databases are restricted by license to current Princeton University faculty, staff, and students only.