General Process
Q. If I need to pick up on a day I have labs on campus, what do I do?
A: No matter how you’re picking up, the first step is to “shop” online to reserve the items you want to check out. Use the Library Catalog, and refer to the video and instructions for this process listed on this page. Next, you’ll get an email (or multiple emails if you reserved multiple items) letting you know that the items you reserved are ready. From that email, click the link for your campus to go to Sign Up Genius. Find the date you will be on campus under the “On Campus for Labs” section and click “Sign up”. Let us know your name and email address, as well as what time your last lab of the day will be getting out (i.e. about what time you’ll be picking up). Then, come to campus for your lab as normal, following all the proper procedures. After your lab ends, stop by the Library Pickup Station (you’ll get a confirmation email from Sign Up Genius giving you details on where that is on your campus; it’s not in the library). We’ll have your order ready for you.
Q: If I need to pick up or return library items, but I won’t be on campus for labs anytime soon, what can I do?
A: No matter how you’re picking up, the first step is to “shop” online to reserve the items you want to check out. Use the Library Catalog, and refer to the video and instructions for this process listed on this page. Next, you’ll get an email (or multiple emails if you reserved multiple items) letting you know that the items you reserved are ready. From that email, click the link for your campus to go to Sign Up Genius. Choose a day and time when you can come to campus to pick up your items under the “Special Trip to Campus” section. Click “Sign up” next to the day and time you’ve chosen. Let us know your name and email address, as well as clicking the “Pick up” option. Then, arrive on campus during the 10 minute window for which you signed up. Follow the instructions in the Sign Up Genius confirmation email, including for parking and texting the library staff. Do not enter any campus building. We’ll have your order ready for you.
Q: Do I need an appointment to return items on a day I have labs on campus?
A: Nope. Just drop off the library items in or near the library returns bin when you come on campus. On each campus, these bins are located near the designated entrance where you scan your code and get your wristband for the day.
Q: What if I need to check out library items while I'm on campus for labs, but I did not make an advance reservation/appointment?
A: No problem! Stop by the library pickup station during the Open Checkout Times listed on this page. Simply ask the library staff member for what you need, and they'll check it out to you on the spot.
Q: Can I use Open Checkout Times if I'm not pre-approved to be on campus for labs that day?
A: No. Only students pre-approved to be on campus for scheduled lab classes are permitted on campus. If you'd like to pick up library materials on a day you will not be on campus for labs, please place a reservation and sign up for a "Special Trip to Campus" appointment.
Q: What's the benefit of having a reservation/appointment to pick up on a lab day vs. using Open Checkout Times?
A: It's quicker for you. When you place a reservation and make an appointment ahead of time, the library staff prepares your order in advance. Then, when you come to pick it up, we can simply hand it to you and you're on your way. With no advance reservation/appointment, you need to tell us what items you want, we retrieve those items for you, and then check them out to you in our computer system. It just takes a little longer.
Q: What if I'm not on campus during Open Checkout Time, or there is no Open Checkout Time available on the day I'll be on campus for labs?
A: You can still place a reservation and make an On Campus for Labs or Special Trip to Campus appointment to pick up the items you need.
Q: What if I placed a reservation and made an On Campus for Labs appointment on the day I will be on campus for my lab classes, but I can't pick up my order during Open Checkout Time?
A: No problem. While we prefer that you pick up during Open Checkout Time if at all possible, as long as you have a reservation and an appointment for that day, we will have your items available when you are able to pick up. When you schedule your On Campus for Labs appointment in Sign Up Genius, simply select "No" when it asks if you can pick up during Open Checkout Time. The library staff on your campus will be in touch about other arrangements.
Q: After placing a reservation, can I just stop by during Open Checkout Time? Or do I still need an appointment?
A: If you place a reservation, you should also make an appointment so that we know when we need to have your order bagged up and ready for you. The benefit of a reservation is quick service when you come to pick up, but if we don't know you're coming, we won't necessarily have your order ready for you. We ask that you either have BOTH a reservation and appointment, or neither if you are just walking up during Open Checkout Time.
Placing Item Reservations
Q: How far ahead of when I’ll be on campus (or when I want the items) should I reserve the library items I want to check out?
A: Anywhere from 5 days ahead of time to 24 hours ahead of time. We don’t advise waiting until the night before or same day as that may not give us enough time to get your order together for you.
Q: I placed a reservation for library items, but I don’t want them anymore. How can I cancel the reservations?
A: Go to the Library Catalog and log in, if necessary (you may automatically be logged in already from the University’s single sign on). Then, under My USA Library, click on “Reservations”. Under “Action” next to the reservations you want to cancel, click the trashcan icon.
Q: Is there a limit on how many items I can check out?
A: No, there is no limit to how many library items you can have checked out at one time, but there is a limit of 10 reservations per borrower at any given time. This means that you can’t reserve more than 10 items at a time. You can reserve 10 items, and then once you pick those up, you can reserve 10 more if you’d like, without needing to return the original 10 first. Some items, such as treatment tables, wheelchairs, and other larger equipment, are limited to one per person.
Q: Why don’t I get a confirmation email right away after I save my reservations in the Library Catalog?
A: When you save your reservation(s) in the Library Catalog, a library staff member needs to manually confirm your reservation before the email goes out to you, just to check for any problems. We periodically check for new reservations throughout the day, seven days a week, so it should never take too long to receive the confirmation of your reservation items.
Q: Why do I get a confirmation email for every item I reserve, instead of just one for everything?
A: When you save your reservation(s) in the Library Catalog, a library staff member needs to manually confirm your reservation before the email goes out to you, just to check for any problems. That needs to happen one item at a time, because some items may be immediately available, but some may not be available yet (all checked out and you go on a waiting list until one is returned). But, don’t worry. Even if you get multiple emails, you only need to sign up for one pick up timeslot to get all your available items.
Loan Periods and Renewals (Extensions)
Q: Can I keep library items longer than 10 days?
A: Yes. We offer unlimited renewals, unless there is a waiting list for the item. Items should be returned by the end of the term, but other than that, you can keep renewing until or unless a waiting list develops.
Q: How do I renew (i.e., ask to extend the due date) the library items I have checked out?
A: While there is a way to do this online in the Library Catalog, the best way to renew right now is by emailing library@usa.edu, even just replying to the date due reminder email you receive. A library staff member will respond to confirm the new due date for your items, or let you know if it can’t be renewed due to a waiting list. If you are not in town, let us know and we’ll make sure to extend the due date even if there is a waiting list.
Q: I will be in town for on campus labs soon, but then not again until much later in the term. Can I still check out library items?
A: Absolutely, yes. While the loan period is 10 days, we permit unlimited renewals, as long as there is no waiting list for the item. If there is a waiting list and you’re not in town, just contact us and we’ll extend the loan for you, anyway.
Q: How do I know when my library items are due?
A: The best thing to do is check in your online Library Catalog account. From the Library Catalog, click on My USA Library, and then Loans. This will give you a list of what you have checked out and when each item is due. You can also renew items on this page. You will also receive due date reminder emails starting two days before your items are due. These emails also include instructions for returning items, including a Sign Up Genius link to schedule a returns appointment.
Q: When do I need to return the items I checked out?
A: You should always return or renew items you have checked out by their assigned due date. Remember that renewals are unlimited, unless there is a waiting list for a particular item. All library items are due back by the end of each academic term, and so no due dates will be extended or renewed beyond that date unless you make arrangements directly with your campus library staff due to special circumstances.
Making an Appointment
Q: If I’m picking up multiple items during a special trip to campus, do I need to sign up for more than one timed appointment?
A: Nope! You can pick up all your reserved items that are ready at the same time. Please sign up for just one timed appointment, or better yet, sign up to pick up on a day you’ll be on campus for labs.
Q: If I’m returning items and picking up new ones during a special trip to campus, do I need to sign up for more than one timed appointment?
A: Nope! You can sign up for just one time slot to return and pick up at the same time. Choose either Return or Pickup when you fill out the Sign Up Genius information, but then let us know in the notes that you will be picking up and returning.
Q: My friend/roommate and I both want to sign up for a timed appointment to pickup/return during a special trip to campus. We’re driving together. What should we do?
A: One of you can complete the sign up on Sign Up Genius, choosing one time slot for both of you to come. Then, in the notes section, just let us know both names so we can have your orders ready for you. When you park on campus and text the library, remind us that two of you are picking up and provide both names.
Q: Can someone else pick up my library items for me?
A: No. The person who placed the reservations and who will have the items checked out must be present. We won't release items to anyone other than the person who has committed to being responsible for them.
Q: How do I sign up for an appointment to return library items on a day I won't be on campus for labs?
A: Use the Sign Up Genius for your campus. This is the same link you used to schedule an appointment to pick up your library items. The link is also included in the due date reminder email you will receive starting two days before your library items are due. If you can't access the link in either of these ways, contact library@usa.edu.
Q: How can I cancel or change my pickup/return appointment on Sign Up Genius?
A: Go back to the original email you received from Sign Up Genius confirming your appointment. Scroll to the bottom of the email and click “Edit My Sign Up”. This will take you to Sign Up Genius, where you can delete or change your original appointment. Alternately, go back to the Sign Up Genius page for your campus and click where it says “Already signed up? You can change your sign up.”
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