The Friends of the University Libraries is a volunteer membership organization founded in 1940 to promote the welfare of the University of Oregon Library System. In addition to making financial contributions to the library, the Friends of the University Libraries regularly sponsors lectures and social and cultural events that are open to the public. More information is available in the Office of the University Librarian. With a few exceptions, library materials may be renewed once either in person or by telephone. Other circulation services include holds and recalls for books checked out to other borrowers and searches for books that cannot be located in the stacks.
Borrowers are subject to fines for overdue materials.
Borrowers who lose library materials or return damaged materials pay a replacement or repair charge, a per-item service charge, and any accrued fines. The libraries of the Oregon University System honor each other's faculty and currently validated student identification cards for the purpose of borrowing library materials, subject to the lending library's circulation and fine policies. Faculty and students can also order materials directly from the Orbis catalog. UO faculty members may apply for a reciprocal borrower's card, which allows them to borrow materials at more than seventy-five research libraries. Library services and facilities are accessible to patrons with disabilities.