All students, faculty (current and emeriti), and staff at Carleton and St. Olaf have library borrowing privileges. Alumni and community members may also borrow from the library if they live within the designated area. All patrons should review the Borrowing Policies for important information about renewals, fines, and recalls.

All library materials need to be checked out at the circulation desk on the 4th floor. All borrowers must present their OneCard, Community Card, or Affiliate OneCard to check out materials.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us!

Loan Periods

Type of Material

Carleton & St. Olaf Faculty

Carleton & St. Olaf Staff

Carleton  & St. Olaf Students

Alumni & Local Community Members

Books & Government Documents

1 year
Max: 2 years

1 year
Max: 2 years

7 weeks
Max: 35 weeks

2 weeks
Max: 6 weeks

Periodicals & Microfilm/Microfiche

2 weeks
Max: 4 weeks

2 weeks
Max: 4 weeks

2 weeks
Max: 4 weeks

2 weeks
Max: 4 weeks

DVD, VHS, Blu-ray & CD

1 week
Max: 3 weeks

1 week
Max: 3 weeks

1 week
Max: 3 weeks

1 week
Max: 3 weeks

Reserves - Headphones, Chargers, Drives,
DVD, VHS, Blu-ray & CD**

2 days
Max: 4 days

4 hours*

4 hours*

Never

Reserves - 2 Hour**

2 days
Max: 4 days

2 hours*

2 hours*

Never

Reserves - 2 Day**

2 days
Max: 4 days

2 days
Max: 4 days

2 days
Max: 4 days

Never

Reference Materials & Newspapers**

In-library use only

In-library use only

In-library use only

In-library use only

*If checked out late enough (within 2 hours of closing for 2-hour reserves and within 4 hours of closing for DVD/VHS/Blu-ray/CD reserves), patrons can keep item overnight and return it by the opening of the library the next day.

**Not requestable by anyone

Returning Materials

Those using Library materials, whether in or out of the building, are responsible for any deterioration in the condition of the material while in their use, and for the safe and timely return of the material to its proper location or to designated return areas. Designated return areas are the following:

  • the circulation desk for all material that has been checked out (including material borrowed through ILL)
  • the book return bin at the front door for after-hours returns

Borrowing from St. Olaf

Because Carleton and St. Olaf share a library catalog called Catalyst, requesting books owned by St. Olaf is no different than requesting books from Carleton. You can do this by clicking the “Request” button while viewing a record in Catalyst.

  • We have a courier service that delivers library materials back and forth between Carleton and St. Olaf. When any item you have requested is ready to be picked up, you will receive an email. Please come to the circulation desk to pick up your item.
  • When you are finished with the item, simply return it at the circulation desk. We’ll make sure it makes it home to St. Olaf.
  • Loan periods for St. Olaf items are the same as Carleton items. These items can also be recalled. You will receive notices regarding St. Olaf items just as you would Carleton items. You will also be fined the same amount for returning a recalled item late or for losing an item. See Borrowing Policies for more information on recalls, overdue notice, and fines.

You are also welcome to visit St. Olaf and use their library. Your OneCard, Community Card, or Affiliate OneCard will be necessary to check out items.

Borrowing from Other Libraries

If we don’t have an item at Carleton or St. Olaf, you can request it through InterLibrary Loan.