Public Services - Using the Library

Students from partnering schools or colleges with a current library card can use the following Library services:

• Use of open study spaces and public wifi
• Use of open-access databases only
• Use of reservable group study rooms
• Check out of internal use only items, such as headphones and public access computers.
• Check out physical books and DVDs
• Check out non-book items, such as umbrellas, blankets, etc. 

The VTC Borrowing Program allows students, faculty, and staff of participating institutions in-person borrowing privileges from any participating library.

GUIDELINES AND POLICIES 

• The home library determines who is eligible for reciprocal borrowing privileges and issues a consortium borrower’s card valid for the current semester. 
• The borrower must show a valid consortium borrower’s card at the lending library.
• The lending library determines whether borrowing privileges will be extended or denied.
• Library privileges are determined by the policies of the lending library and vary from library to library.
• To request specific information, call the lending library first, and identify yourself as a consortium borrower.

WHERE TO START AT REGENT:

• Visit Regent University Library's Resource Desk with a current VTC card from your home library. 

QUALIFICATIONS FOR A VTC CARD:

• Must be currently enrolled as a student or faculty member at a participating college in the Virginia Tidewater Consortium.
• Must be in good standing with the library of the home institution. Name must not appear on the list of VTC delinquent borrowers.
• VTC Borrower’s Cards are good for one semester

IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED AT VTC INSTITUTION:

• Must present a valid VTC Borrower’s Card (obtained from your home institution) as well as a current college I.D., a driver’s license, or photo I.D.

BORROWER’S FEE:

• No charge

CHECKOUT PERIOD AND NUMBER OF ITEMS:

• Library privileges are determined by the policies of the lending library and vary from library to library. 

SANCTIONS:

• VTC borrowers must pay fines for overdue books and replacement costs for lost books.
• Circulation privileges will be blocked for overdue books and unpaid fines both at the lending institution and the home institution.
• Failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the lending libraries, including the prompt return of materials and/or payment of charges, will result in sanctions by both the home and lending institutions. In addition, consortium borrowing privileges at all member libraries will be suspended.

A list of participating institutions can be found on the Participating Institution List. 

The VIVA Cooperative Borrowing Program allows students, faculty, and staff of participating libraries in-person borrowing privileges from any participating library (Students must show school ID and/or log in to their home university Blackboard/Canvas for proof of enrollment). Not all VIVA schools participate in the program, and there may be restrictions on the number and type of items one can borrow.  

Patron Eligibility

Students, faculty, and staff at VIVA institutions may request to borrow materials from any participating library. The lending library can withhold borrowing privileges from any patrons who do not comply with institutional policies and procedures. They may choose not to lend to patrons from libraries that are not participating in the program.

Borrowers must present a valid form of photo identification, such as an institutional ID, as well as proof of current status in order to borrow materials. This proof of current status, such as a student showing his or her course schedule or a faculty/staff member showing an entry in a faculty/staff directory, can be facilitated by participating libraries using the Cooperative Borrowing Current Status web page.

The borrower's home library is requested to provide verification of enrollment or employment, if needed, and to work with the lending library to resolve issues as they arise.

Loan Periods

Loan periods and limitations on the number of items that can be borrowed at one time will be determined by the lending library. Renewals are at the discretion of the lending library. The lending library can set different loan periods for different item types, and it determines which item types can be borrowed through this program.

Returns

The borrower is responsible for returning items to the lending library. Some items may be turned in at the home library. It is recommended that the home library ship the book to the lending library in an expedited way according to the ILL guidelines.

The item is not considered "returned" until it is checked in at the lending library. The borrower will be responsible for any fines that accrue even if the item was returned to the home library before the due date.

Fines and Fees

The borrower is responsible for any fines that accrue on materials held past their due dates. The borrower is responsible for paying for materials that are lost or damaged.

The lending library can request assistance from the home library to recover payment for lost or damaged materials and overdue fines from their patrons. Payment for lost, damaged, or non-returned materials can be requested from the home library if payment cannot be obtained from the borrower.

Statistics

Each library is encouraged to keep statistical data on universal borrowing. At a minimum, each participating library should be able to report the following:

-The number of VIVA borrowers, if possible by home institution and type (faculty and student).
- The number of books lent to VIVA borrowers, if possible by home institution and type (faculty and student).
- The number of books shipped from the home library to the lending library.
- Amounts paid by patrons in overdue fines.
- Amounts paid by patrons or libraries for lost, damaged, or non-returned materials.

To register as a Partnering Virginia College student, please do the following:

1. Fill out the Registration form below to register for a library card.
   1. Fill out the form below with your name and information, ensuring that you include a unique email address, as this will be used for your username in our system. 
   2. Under "Partnering Institution," enter the name of the partnering Virginia College. 
   3. Under "Reciprocal Borrowing Group," enter "VTC" or "VIVA," depending on which partnership group your college/university is a member of. 
2. Once all forms are complete, please come to the Resource Desk to take a photo and show proof of identification. 
   1. To prove membership in your institution, please bring a current student ID or show proof of student status by proving enrollment via logging into the college website, Canvas, Blackboard, etc. 
3. A library card will be issued, which must be brought and scanned each time you visit, both for checking out materials and checking in when entering the library.