Borrowing from SJSU Library

SJSU Students, Faculty, and Staff

Your SJSU Tower card serves as your library card. To log in to your Library Account, you will use your SJSU ID number and SJSUOne password. Loan periods are as follows:

Undergraduate students: Items are due at the end of each term; no renewals
Graduate students: 16 weeks from date of checkout, 5 renewals
Faculty & Staff: 1 year from date of checkout, 10 renewals
San Jose Public Library patrons: 3 weeks from date of checkout, 3 renewals

 To borrow library materials, you will need your Tower ID card. There are no limits on the number of items SJSU borrowers can check out. If your Tower Card is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact the Bursar's Office at (408) 924-1610. The replacement cost is $5.

If you want to check out items from the public library, you will need a San Jose Library card. Apply for an SJPL library card here or go to the circulation desk in the King Library or at one of the branches. If you need a replacement library card, visit any branch of the San Jose Library or contact (408) 808-2000.

Expiration of SJSU Library privileges

Students will lose access to SJSU materials (checking out physical items, remote access of electronic resources when not in MLK Library) beginning 30 days after their last enrolled term.  

Employees separating from the university (voluntary/involuntary termination, retirement) will lose access beginning on their official date of separation from SJSU.

If you have an account with San José Public Library, you can Request a OneSearch Account using your SJPL library card number and PIN to check out physical items from the SJSU Library collection.  

Faculty and staff granted emeritus status will not lose access to library privileges.

San José Public Library Patrons

Fill out the Request a OneSearch Account form using your SJPL library card number and PIN. You will need an e-mail address, as the SJSU system requires one. 

SJSU students, faculty, and staff can borrow laptops, iPads, hotspots, and more from SCS at no charge. See Student Computing Services for more information. 

Borrowing Services

• Proxy borrowing privileges for designated persons to check out or renew library items on behalf of patrons with disabilities are available upon request at the Circulation & Reserves Desk. Call 408-808-2304.
• You may renew your borrowed library items by using the Telephone Renewal System at 408-808-2665 or using your online account.

Paging Services

• Library materials will be paged upon request for patrons with disabilities.
• Patrons may request paging at any service desk
  See Department & Services Contacts
• A reasonable number of items will be paged based on staff availability and workload

You can return items at the book drop near the circulation desk during library open hours. The outside book return box is open after closing. The borrower is responsible for loss or damage charges resulting from improper returns. Items returned after the Library has closed are considered returned on the next open day.  

SJSU Course Reserves and CSU/Interlibrary Loan items must be returned to the King Library Academic Reserves Desk, not to the outside book drops. For more information about borrowing Course Reserves items, see Course Reserves.

Print Materials

There are no daily fines for SJSU print materials, but they will be considered lost at 14 days overdue and you will be billed the replacement cost of $110 per item. We do not accept physical replacements for lost materials. No refunds will be given after an item is paid for, including instances where an item has been found after it has been paid.

Course Reserves

• Hourly checkouts: $1 per hour, $20 maximum fine
• Daily checkouts: $5 per day, $20 maximum fine
• Fines must be paid online; no cash or checks will be accepted.

Laptops and Other Tech Equipment 

For late fees for laptops and other items from Student Computing Services, see Lending Policies. 

If you are an SJPL patron, you can still check out SJSU materials, but you'll need to get an SJSU Library OneSearch account using your SJPL card. See Information for San José Public Library Patrons for more information.