Circulation

Circulation is Located in Room 117 Near the Starbucks’ Entrance.     

The Circulation Department of Texas Southern University Library Learning Center is committed to providing quality, professional and personalized services to TSU students, staff, faculty, and the surrounding community. Circulation Department improves user access to information resources through consistent policies, procedures, and best practices. We facilitate access to information and resources via interlibrary loan and document delivery services, print and electronic course reserves, TexShare Card Holders,  and by forming resources sharing partnerships at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. We are committed to providing excellent customer services, stacks maintenance, locating missing or MIS-shelved library titles, and directional/informational referrals.

The Circulation Department activities include:

• Circulating library materials
• Processing and the distribution of Course Reserve and interlibrary loan items
• Processing overdue and lost books
• Processing and collecting library fines
• Assisting patrons with informational/Directional questions
• Creating patron accounts
• Processing of the TexShare Card
• Collection maintenance
• Re-shelving of books

Who may borrow library materials?

TSU students, Faculty, staff, and Alumni (with an official photo ID & Tiger Card) are all welcome to borrow library materials with certain restrictions. Alumni must register with the Office of Alumni Relation to receive a letter confirming alumni status. Library borrowing privileges for Texas Southern University graduates are limited and do not include remote access to the library’s electronic resources or Interlibrary Loan privileges. TSU alumni must be in the library to access library databases.

Visitors and the community are welcome to use library spaces. Visitor and Community member will need an TexShare Card to borrow materials. All non-TSU users, including those with library-issued borrower cards, should contact their local public or other appropriate institution to obtain Interlibrary Loan service.

What materials do not circulate?

Journals, newspapers, media, theses on reserve and dissertations in the Heartman, reference materials, microforms, and Heartman Collection materials.

How long can materials be kept?

Students may keep borrowed materials from the circulating collections for three weeks. Items may be renewed once for three additional weeks, unless they are requested by another patron. Near the end of each semester or summer term, shorter lending periods may be in effect. Faculty and staff may borrow materials for three months, with unlimited renewals unless requested by another patron. Patrons are responsible for renewing or returning items on or before their due dates.  Materials may be renewed in person or online by logging in to My Account. 

Office Supplies

Dry Erase Markers for the Whiteboards can be checked out for two hours and can be renewed for an additional two hours if no one else is waiting at the Circulation & Reserves desk located in room 117 on the 1^st floor.

• TSU ID is required
• Loan period is 4 hours
• Dry Erase Markers are for in-library use only
• Please do not take them outside TSU Library Learning Center.

     Returning Markers:

• During desk opening hours – return to staff member at the service desks (circulation/reserve desk or Welcome desk).
• A $2.50 replacement cost is for materials not returned.

Where can materials be returned? 

Items borrowed from TSU Library Learning Center can be returned to service desks and/or return slots located outside the main entrance, outside entrance near Starbucks and inside the library by the elevator. Reserve materials should always be handed to a staff member as they have a shorter loan period. Placing reserve items in the book return slot can delay processing and result in fines. Media such as DVDs, videocassettes, and CDs should never be placed in the book return, as these items may be damaged in the process. Damaged items (broken spine, highlighting, missing labels/barcode, torn pages, water damage, writing in item, etc.) will be assessed and charged at a minimum of $5.00 up to the full replacement cost of the item.

Where are Course Reserve materials? 

Materials that are placed on reserve by professors are kept behind the Circulation desk. Reserve materials may be personal copies of instructors or titles owned by the library. Regardless, items may be checked out only for two-hour intervals. Faculty: To place a book on Course Reserve for a class, please complete the Course Reserve form. 

How much are fines for overdue books?

Circulating collection titles - $.25 per day per book. Reserve materials - $1.00 per hour (maximum $10.00 per day, per item). Lost materials are billed at replacement cost, plus a $20.00 processing fee. Fines are paid in the Bursar's Office in the Bell Building between the hours of 8:00 am -- 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. The paid receipt must be brought in to the Circulation desk to remove the fines from the patron's record.

What is a TexShare card? 

TexShare (Texas Library Resource Sharing Program) is a network of academic, public, and health center libraries. Students, faculty and staff can be issued a TexShare card. This card allows the holder borrowing privileges at TexShare participating libraries within the State. Borrowers are responsible for returning all books to the lending library and are responsible for all fines incurred. 

Who is eligible for a TexShare card?

Students, faculty and staff who are in good standing with the Library are eligible to receive a TexShare card as part of the Library’s participation in the TexShare Resource Sharing Program. Applications are available at the Circulation desk. TexShare cards are issued at the Circulation Desk Monday through Friday from 8:00 am through 5:00 pm. TSU TexShare cards expire at the end of each semester.

Policies for TexShare Library Card Holders

Identification: A university identification card along with a TexShare card are required to borrow materials.

What materials circulate: Books from the circulating collection may be borrowed for a two-week period with no renewal.

Number of books which can be borrowed: A total of five books can be checked out per borrower.

Renewals: Non-Renewals are provided to TexShare Card Holders.

Returns: Borrowers are responsible for returning materials by the due date. Borrowers are encouraged to return materials in person. If it is not possible, items should be returned by first class mail. Mail to:

Circulation Dept, Library Learning Center, Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne, Houston, Texas 77004.

Recalls: All items are subject to recall. If an item is recalled, the recall date replaces the original due date.

Non-circulating Materials: Reference materials, journals, special collection materials, government documents, media, microforms, theses and dissertations.

Bills: Charges for overdue materials - $1.00 per day, per book. Lost books incur the price of the book + $15.00 processing fee. Outstanding fines and other charges are payable upon receipt of invoice.