How do I borrow books and other materials?

• In the Library: Use the self-checkout machine at the front of the library. If you do not have a Z number, or if there is some problem with the machine after Service Desk hours, you can leave the book at the Desk with the printed form. We will send the item to your Laboratory mail stop.
  
  
• Online: With a Library Catalog request, or with the online library Request form

Who may check out materials, for how long, and how many?

Laboratory employees and contractors may borrow books and reports for four weeks. Items with waiting lists circulate for 10 days. Journals and reference books do not circulate. There is a limit of 50 items that may be borrowed at any one time.

Laboratory retirees may fill out an application accessible from the Retiree Borrowing Program.

What about renewals?

A book or report may be renewed, as long as it does not have a hold on it, each time for four-week period. You can renew materials:

• online in the library catalog - see how to renew and more
• by phone (667-4175)
• by e-mail to circmail@lanl.gov

Is there a waiting list?

If someone else has checked out a book or report that you want to borrow, you may place a hold on it. Holds may be placed at the Library Service Desk or via a request in the Library Catalog (instructions). This adds your name to the waiting list.

Can I borrow material from other libraries?

In New Mexico LANL staff can borrow from the libraries of Sandia National Laboratory, Phillips Laboratory, the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Tech, and New Mexico State University. This is made possible by our participation in the Library Services Alliance Passport Program, a reciprocal borrowing agreement.

The Passport gives LANL employees FREE access and circulation privileges, to unclassified, unlimited research materials in the libraries' collections, and following the circulation policies of the owning library, including payment of fines.

Passports will be issued to LANL employees for one year, although the other participating libraries may impose other restrictions.

To obtain a passport, contact the Research Library (library@lanl.gov) or call 667-4175.

For materials from other libraries, use InterLibrary Loan.

What if I lose library materials?

Library materials constitute Laboratory property and Lab employees and contractors are personally responsible for materials checked out to them until materials are cleared from their circulation record. Due to a limited book budget, lost items must be replaced by  providing the Library with (1) a replacement copy or (2)  a cost center/program code so that we can replace the item with another of comparable subject matter and value.

For questions or problems, contact the Library Service Desk at 667-4175 or by e-mail.