Services for Special Borrowers

Special Borrower Status | Borrowing Policy | Book Renewals | Computers
Photocopying | Microfilm & Microfiche | Reference Assistance

Special Borrower Status

Library visitors may apply for an Andover-Harvard Theological Library Access card, with which they can enter the library during open hours (see Services for Visitors). Researchers not affiliated with Harvard who desire borrowing privileges at the library may apply for Andover-Harvard Theological Library Special Borrower status.

AHTL Special Borrower status is available for a fee: $150 for six months of privileges or $250 for one year. This fee may be waived for Harvard Alumni/ae, for BTI faculty and students, and for local clergy (ministers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and others who are engaged in, or retired from, full-time ministry and hold a theological degree). Individuals who obtain Special Borrower status will be provided with an AHTL Access card. There is a $25 fee for replacing lost cards.

Applications for Special Borrower status should be made Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm (except University holidays); at other times, please call ahead to check on the availability of a circulation supervisor (617.495.5788).

Access to the library and borrowing privileges are granted to a specific individual and may not be transferred or shared. When borrowing privileges expire, access privileges, with the AHTL Access card, may still be available on a renewable basis at not additional charge.

Borrowing Policy

Patrons with AHTL Special Borrower status must present the AHTL Access card to the circulation staff in order to borrow any materials.

A patron with AHTL Special Borrower status may have up to ten circulating items on loan at any time. Books circulate for 28 days. Multimedia items circulate for 3 days. Reserve items circulate for 3 hours.

Notices are sent as a courtesy. All borrowers are responsible for overdue and lost items even if these notices are not received.

All items are subject to recall. Recalled materials must be returned to the library within the new loan period specified on the recall notice. AHTL Special Borrowers are not eligible to recall items circulating to other patrons.

Overdue fines are assessed at the rate of $0.50 per day. Overdue recalled materials are $2.00 per day. Overdue reserves materials are $1.00 per hour. After two overdue notices are issued, overdue items will be considered lost and a bill will be sent to cover replacement and processing costs. Such a bill will terminate any remaining borrowing privileges until the bill is settled.

It is the responsibility of all AHTL Special Borrowers to report changes of mailing address and email address to the circulation staff (circulation@hds.harvard.edu; 617.495.5788).

The AHTL Special Borrower status applies only to Andover-Harvard Theological Library, and cannot be used at other Harvard libraries.

Book Renewals

Circulating items may be renewed up to five times. Items can be renewed by providing library staff with your user ID number and the barcode numbers on those items, using any of the following methods:

• Submit a web form
• Email the circulation staff
• Phone the circulation desk: 617.495.5788
• Bring the items to the circulation desk during open hours

You should receive an email confirmation of renewals within three working days. You are responsible for the overdue fines that accrue between the due date and the renewal date. After the fifth renewal, each item must be brought back to the circulation desk. At that time, it may be possible to renew the items again.

Computers

Computers for access to HOLLIS, other library resources, and email are located next to the circulation desk on the first floor, on the ground floor, lower level, and in the Houghton Reference Room on the second floor. Stand-up kiosks have Internet access only, but all other computers have Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Wireless network access is available on all floors. Network jacks are located throughout the library. For information on connecting to the wireless network at HDS, see the online documentation from the Office of Information Technology and Media Services.

For full-service library computers and wireless network-connected computers, the printer is located on the second floor; fees ($0.07 per page) are paid through Crimson Cash. Value may be added to a Harvard ID card or Crimson Cash card by credit card on the Crimson Cash website or at Crimson Cash VTS machines at other University locations. For information on printing through the wireless network at HDS, see the online documentation from the Office of Information Technology and Media Services.

To report problems with library computers, please contact the HDS Office of Information Technology and Media Services (617.496.9111; hdshelp@hds.harvard.edu).

Photocopying

Photocopiers are located on each of the library's four levels. Copiers accept Crimson Cash cards, Harvard IDs with Crimson Cash value added, and bills and coins. Copies are $0.15 per page, using cash, and $0.10 per page, using Crimson Cash. Crimson Cash cards are available for purchase at the circulation desk. Value may be added to a Harvard ID card or a Crimson Cash card by credit card on the Crimson Cash website or at Crimson Cash VTS machines at other University locations.

Microfilm and Microfiche

Most of the microfilm and microfiche collections and readers are located in the room next to the reference desk on the second floor. Access to the collections and readers are self-service and available whenever the library is open. Assistance is available from reference and circulation staff. Printers are attached to three readers; printing costs are $0.10 per page, payable by cash or check at the circulation desk. Digital copies may be made on a USB flash drive or CD by using the computer and the first reader on the left.

Reference Assistance

Visit the reference desk, call to ask a quick question, or make an appointment for in-depth research advice. Hours (during term time, except University holidays) are:

• Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am-9 pm
• Friday, 8:30 am-6 pm

Call us at 617.496.AHTL (2485)

Research librarians will work with you to:

• Locate information
• Develop a research strategy
• Find relevant e-resources, books, and articles on any topic
• Work on any research-related question, problem, or skill

Use our Email Reference Form to send us a quick question.

Use our Recommendations for Purchase Form to suggest material for our collection.

Interlibrary loan services are not available for special borrowers.

Some licensed electronic resources are available for special borrowers to consult in the library. Please see the reference staff for assistance. Remote access to electronic resources is not available.