Borrow, Renew, Return

Borrow

General Loan Rules

• Faculty, students, and staff holding a library card issued by The Africa Institute/GSU are eligible to borrow materials.
• Borrowers must present their The Africa Institute/GSU library card at checkout.
• Visitors must register at the library and obtain a library card or temporary borrowing card.
• Visitors must present photo identification when borrowing materials.
• All borrowers must agree to comply with the library’s regulations, including accepting responsibility for overdue fines, replacement costs, and any applicable collection account fees.

Loan Periods and Borrowing Limits

View the Loan Periods and Borrowing Limits (PDF) for details on loan periods, the number of items you may borrow, and renewal limits.

Library Holds

Global Studies University library users may place a hold on circulating items through the library system, whether the items are available at the library or checked out by other users.

Renewal and Return

• Off-campus borrowers should bring their library card for checkout.
• Borrowed materials will be provided with a due date receipt. Borrowers should use it as a reminder to avoid late fees.
• All users may renew most items up to three times, except alumni and visitors, who may renew items once.
• Loans will only become due:
  • If another user places a hold on a checked-out item
  • If there is a block on the borrower’s account
  • If the borrower’s borrowing privileges expire
• Items not eligible for renewal: Course reserves, other short-term loan items, audio and video materials, and interlibrary loans.
• If borrowers cannot return items to The Africa Institute/GSU Library in person, they should arrange to return them by mail, ensuring they arrive on or before the specified due date.

Recalls

All regular materials on loan are subject to recall at any time at the library’s discretion.

• Any borrowed item may be recalled.
• Global Studies University Library users will be notified by email and must return recalled items within three days.
• If recalled items are not returned within three days, a fine of AED 1 per day will apply until they are returned.
• Overdue recalled items will prevent users from borrowing additional materials.
• Users who cannot return materials on time due to unavoidable circumstances should contact library@gsu.ac.ae to discuss alternative arrangements and avoid fines.

Overdue Library Materials

Materials are considered overdue if they are not returned or renewed by the due date.

• The library may send courteous reminders for overdue items. However, borrowers remain responsible for returning materials promptly.
• When an item is overdue, the library’s billing desk automatically sends a lost-material invoice notice. A replacement invoice with a minimum charge of AED 1 per item will be sent.
• The library reserves the right to suspend borrowing privileges for users with outstanding fines or unreturned materials.

Fines

Fines are imposed on materials returned after their due date.

Lost, damaged, or unreturned materials classified as missing after their due date will incur late fees and replacement costs.

The library reserves the right to suspend borrowing privileges for users with outstanding fines or unreturned materials.

Replacement Fees

• Borrowers are responsible for paying replacement fees promptly upon notification from the library. Failure to pay may result in the suspension of borrowing privileges and additional penalties.
• Borrowers must cover the cost of lost materials plus an AED 50 processing fee.
• Borrowing privileges at The Africa Institute/GSU Library are suspended if outstanding fees exceed AED 99 or a recalled item is not returned on time.
• Fees may be paid by credit card (Mastercard or Visa) or cash by contacting library staff.
• Processing fees may vary for multivolume sets or rare materials.

Using Library Materials

• Library users are responsible for materials they borrow or use within the library.
• Access to library materials is granted only to users who have followed the proper borrowing procedures.
• All users must comply with copyright and licensing restrictions when using library resources.
• Users must refrain from damaging or marking library materials.
• Users must not deliberately misplace library items.