University of Chicago Libraries

From January 2005 through June 2006, the University of Chicago Library and the Chicago Theological Seminary library will engage in a pilot reciprocal borrowing program.

Eligibility: All faculty, students, and staff of the University of Chicago will be eligible for borrowing privileges at the Hammond Library at the Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS). Conversely, CTS faculty, students, and staff will be eligible for borrowing privileges at the University of Chicago Library.

Access to Resources and Collections: The CTS library will be open to University of Chicago users during the hours in which the library is open and the building unlocked, typically from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The University of Chicago Library will be open to CTS users during the regular building hours. CTS users will not be able to make use of the University of Chicago's all night study space. This agreement does not include reciprocal access to computing facilities or reciprocal use of electronic resources and databases licensed by either CTS or the University of Chicago.

Study Space: The CTS library has relatively few desks and carrels designed for study. While University of Chicago users should feel free to make active use of the collections, CTS staff ask that University of Chicago users not use the CTS library simply as a place to study.

Obtaining Privileges:

CTS students, faculty, and staff: Privileges for the University of Chicago Library can be obtained by visiting the ID and Privileges Office in Regenstein Library during that office's regular hours. CTS users will need to show both a picture ID and currently valid ACTS card in order to be issued privileges. Based on the expiration date of the ACTS card, University of Chicago library privileges will be extended through the academic quarter that most closely matches the expiration date of the ACTS card.

University of Chicago students, faculty, and staff: University of Chicago users can obtain access to the CTS library by displaying their Chicago Card to library staff at CTS. CTS staff will contact the University of Chicago Library's ID and Privileges Office to confirm that the applicant is currently affiliated with the University of Chicago. Students will need to renew their privileges each semester (as defined by CTS.) Faculty and staff will be given privileges on an annual basis.

Borrowing Policies:
  • Those issued privileges through this program will not be able to borrow more than twenty-five items concurrently.
  • CTS affiliates will be given quarterly loans at the University of Chicago Library on a fixed due date schedule. University of Chicago affiliates will be given semester loans at the CTS library with due dates assigned according to its regular borrowing policies.
  • The standard policies of the lending library will apply to any materials borrowed through this reciprocal agreement (i.e., CTS policies will apply to CTS loans and University of Chicago policies will apply to University of Chicago loans). This includes policies for handling overdue materials, fines, lost material, claims returned items, and recalls.
Finding Material: Since the CTS holdings are not reflected in an online catalog, University of Chicago users will need to either consult the paper card catalog located within the Hammond Library at CTS or use OCLC's WorldCat to learn of the materials held in CTS. CTS users will be able to consult the University of Chicago Library's online catalog to learn about the holdings of the University of Chicago Library.