Borrowing Policies

Loan periods vary by item type and are listed below. For more information on borrowing library equipment, please visit the equipment guide.

You, the borrower, are responsible for all items checked out on your NWACC Library account. If you check out items for other people, you will be charged the fines and replacement costs if the items are not returned. You will be held accountable for materials that are not returned and will be billed on your college account. 

Borrowing FAQ

What happens if I damage or don't return a book, DVD, videogame, or course reserve?

•  The cost of the item (minimum $35.00) will be charged to the student's library account.
  • At this time, the library will take steps to replace the item.
  • Whether or not the damaged item is returned, a replacement cost must be paid.
• A hold will be placed on the student's library account, making it impossible to receive grades/transcripts or to graduate until the fee is paid.
• Unpaid fees will be reported by the college to a collection agency. 

What happens if I damage or don't return library equipment (laptop, Wi-Fi hotspot, calculator, webcam, etc.)?

• 1st late return - Student will be charged a late fee of $25.00, and equipment borrowing privileges will be suspended for 30 days. 
• 2nd late return - Student will be charged a late fee of $25.00, and equipment borrowing privileges will be suspended for the remainder of the semester and/or the next semester.
• Abuse of the equipment borrowing policies may result in a permanent suspension.
• If a student loses, damages, or does not return equipment or accessories, they will be charged a replacement fee for the items, not to exceed $2,100.00 and a replacement fee for each accessory not to exceed $400.00.

What if I am a Workforce student?

Workforce students are eligible to check out materials using the following guidelines:

Laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other library equipment may not be borrowed. Workforce students do not qualify for ARKLink cards, nor may they access library databases from off campus; however, they may use all library resources in person.

Eligible programs include: Certified Retail Analyst (CRA), HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical (+)

Qualifying Workforce students should contact the library to get set up.

What if I am an Adult Education Center student?

Adult Education Center students are eligible to check out materials using the following guidelines:

Laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other library equipment may not be borrowed. Adult Education Center students do not qualify for ARKLink cards, nor may they access library databases from off campus; however, they may use all library resources in person.

Adult Education Center students must have an NWACC ID card or other form of photo ID and a signed Adult Education Library Card Application form (linked below) on file to borrow books and media.

What if I want to borrow an item from another college or university library?

To borrow materials from another academic library (like the Mullins library at the University of Arkansas), you can get an ARKLink card. Just fill out the online form (linked below) to request one! 

ARKLink is a program where Arkansas academic libraries agree to share resources. Through ARKLink, NWACC faculty, students, and staff have limited borrowing privileges at many academic libraries across the state of Arkansas. 

To learn more about ARKLink policies and participating libraries, visit their Reciprocal Borrowing page (linked below). 

Loan periods vary by item type and are listed below:

Faculty/staff are responsible for all items checked out on their NWACC Library account

Faculty/Staff Borrowing FAQ

What do I do if I would like to use the books or media I've checked out for longer than the term of the borrowing period?

Faculty/staff can borrow books and media for an initial 56-day period. If there are no other patrons waiting, books and media borrowed can be renewed once for another 56-day period by accessing the My Account feature of the Library’s catalog or by contacting the library. 

If the materials are still needed after this 112-day period, they must be brought into the library to verify their condition and that no one else is waiting for them. If no other patron has requested the items, they may be borrowed again. The library staff will check the items in and re-issue them to begin the 56-day loan period again. 

The borrowing period for interlibrary loans is set by the lending library, so this policy does not apply. NWACC Library does not have control over interlibrary loan periods. 

What do I do if I would like to use the A/V equipment or electronic accessories I’ve checked out for longer than the term of the borrowing period? 

Faculty/staff can borrow A/V equipment and electronic accessories for an initial 21-day period. If there are no other patrons waiting, these items can be renewed once for another 21-day period by accessing the My Account feature of the Library’s catalog or by contacting the library. 

If the items are still needed after this 42-day period, they must be brought into the library to verify their condition and that no one else is waiting for them. If no other patron has requested the items, they may be borrowed again. The library staff will check the items in and re-issue them to begin the 21-day loan period again. 

What happens if I have late, damaged, or missing items? 

Faculty/staff are responsible for all items they borrow and must return them on or before the due date. Items not returned by the due date will be considered overdue, resulting in suspension of library borrowing privileges, including interlibrary loan. Items not returned by the end of the current semester are considered lost. Faculty/staff are responsible for any item that is lost or damaged. Replacement costs are a minimum of $35.00, up to the cost of the item. The library reserves the right to attach these fees to the borrower’s college account. Unpaid fees will be reported at the college’s discretion to a collection agency.

What is my responsibility with regard to copyright and library materials? 

Copyright compliance is the responsibility of the borrower. Library materials are not intended to be used as course textbooks or primary teaching materials. Because NWACC is a teaching college and not a research institution, long-term and indefinite loan periods of materials to faculty/staff are not supported.