Library Card

Anyone registered for a class or classes at COS may request a library card at the circulation desk. Students at CSU Fresno and Fresno Pacific University may also request a library card. We also issue some community service courtesy cards; talk to a Reference librarian about obtaining a courtesy card. There is no cost to obtain a library card. Library cards are issued at the Circulation Desk. You must display your library card when checking out materials. Report lost or stolen cards immediately. There is a $1.00 replacement fee for lost cards.

Loan Period

Most materials in Main Library Book Stacks are loaned for two weeks.  Many periodicals and Reserve items are loaned for 1-2 hours only.  Be sure you know the length of time you are allowed to keep your item.  Books can be returned directly at the Circulation desk, or deposited in the book drop on the outside of the library building on the right side as you enter the building.

Renewals

Books in the Main Library Book Stacks may be renewed for an additional two weeks up to four times, as long as there are no holds placed on the book. Book renewals must be done in person and with book in hand. Items cannot be renewed if you have any overdue materials or fines outstanding.

Late Fees and Lost Books

Materials in the general collection circulate for two weeks and can be renewed an additional four times.  Overdue fees are $0.25 per day.  Videos circulate for two weeks; fines for videos are $1.00 per day.  Fines continue to accrue hourly or daily, depending on the material type, up to $5.00 or the replacement cost, whichever is more. You are required to pay the replacement cost of lost items, plus an additional $5.00 processing fee.  If you do not pay any outstanding overdue fines or lost book fees, the Library can place a hold on your permanent record preventing you from receiving your grades, registering for classes, and requesting transcripts until the fees are paid.

Placing a Book on Hold

If an item you need is already checked out, you can place a hold on it to become next in line for that item.  Contact the circulation desk at (559) 730-3825 and provide the author and title information of the book you want.  Once the hold is placed, the current user will not be able to renew it.  Instead, it will be held for the next person waiting.  You will be notified when the book is being held for you.

Questions About Your Account

If you have questions about your account, want to renew materials, or have other questions about circulation policies, you can contact the Circulation desk at (559) 730-3825 or email us.

RESERVE BOOKS AND MATERIALS

Textbook Policy

The Library does not own textbooks required for most COS classes. However, many instructors place extra copies of textbooks and other class materials on Reserve. These materials are typically available for one- or two-hour check out periods and cannot leave the library building. The library offers photocopiers and scanners should you need to copy any information to take home with you. Textbooks and other materials available on Reserve are not a substitute to students purchasing their own textbooks. Instructors: click here to place items on Reserve.

Borrowing Reserve Materials

Textbooks and other Reserve materials are usually cataloged in our online Book Catalog.  You can search for these materials by Instructor or by Course number.  Click here to search for Reserve materials. Take the call number of the item to the Reserve desk with your library card.  If you are unable to locate the Reserve item you need, visit the Reference Desk or Circulation Desk for assistance.

Loan Periods

Loan limits for Reserve materials vary.  Most Reserve materials circulate for two hours and must remain in the Library building.  Other materials circulate for just one hour, and still other materials may be checked out overnight or for a week or more.  Be sure you know the length of time you are allowed to keep your item. 

Late Fees for Reserve Materials

PERIODICALS

The COS Library currently subscribes to approximately 270 magazines and 10 newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, the Fresno Bee, and CQ Researcher.  A list of our current subscriptions is available in our Periodicals Collection List. The COS Library Periodical File, located at the end of the Circulation Desk, indicates whether a subscription is in hardcopy, digital, or both.  Recent editions of many popular magazines such as Time and People are displayed for patron browsing. Periodicals, including newspapers and magazines, are located on the first floor of the Library.

Loan Period and Late Fees

Periodicals in hardcopy, microfilm, or bound form circulate for 2 hours and can only be used in the Library. Overdue items are assessed a fee of $0.50 per hour.

Searching for Articles

On the first floor of the library, the computers across from the Reference Desk are designated database access centers.  From these computers, you can search for and print full-text articles.  Many databases allow you to email articles directly from the database.  These databases can be accessed on campus or off-campus.  Visit our Electronic Resources page for a list of available databases. Additionally, we own several hardcopy cumulative indexes including Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature, General Science Index, Education Index, Art Index, and others. Periodical librarians and Reference librarians are happy to assist you in your search for research materials.