Seven of the state's universities are involved in the new program, which allows use of the Mississippi Universities Library Borrowing Card. We've always been able to obtain loaned materials for faculty and graduate students through the Interlibrary Loan Program, but this new card extends that capability to all students. The card expires at the end of each semester for students and after one year for faculty members. When the card expires, the cardholder returns to the home library to re-apply. Most of the participating libraries will lend no more than five items, but limits and regulations are set by each library.
All cardholders are responsible for returning the borrowed materials to the proper library on time.
If materials become overdue, the home library is notified and any further transactions will be blocked. She noted the arrangement works both ways, also benefitting USM students from hometowns near other universities. The University Libraries Directors Council began the new program to fill a need seen throughout the state. To apply for the new library card, visit the circulation desk at Cook Library.