Borrowing Books from Other Utah Academic Libraries

By Jacques d'Emal, Access Services Librarian


Many faculty and students don't know that they can visit other academic libraries across the state and borrow their books. Every college and university library in the state is a member of the Utah Academic Library Consortium (UALC). As members, we agreed to share resources with each other’s students and
faculty.

When visiting another UALC library, you will register an account with that library. You will need to present your UVU ID card and another picture ID, generally your driver’s license. Some of the libraries may also require more information.

As you might expect, the University of Utah and Brigham Young University libraries lend the most to UALC members. On a recent Friday afternoon, the Marriott Library had over 600 items checked out to students and faculty from other UALC institutions. In 2010, the Harold B. Lee Library checked out over 2,800 items to members of UALC institutions and lent more than the 2,400 items through interlibrary loan.

Sadly, both of these libraries lose thousands of dollars’ worth of items every year to fraud. To help minimize their losses, they have stricter procedures for registering users. The University of Utah, in addition to asking for a UVU ID and picture ID, will ask for proof that you are currently affiliated with a UALC institution. Students and faculty can do this by printing off a current class schedule. BYU has one system in place for all non-BYU patrons. They require a UALC ID, a state ID, and proof of address. The in-library BYU police verify the state ID. The patron is then sent to another office to get a BYU ID card. This process takes at least 30 minutes.

Of course, if you do make use of one of the other libraries, you will be required to follow the borrowing rules of that library.