Furman alumni may obtain library cards at the Circulation Desk of the James B. Duke Library. In order to qualify, you must have graduated with a degree from Furman (not just attended). The Furman Alumni Directory is used to confirm official alumni status; alumni not in the directory are encouraged to register with the Alumni Office. Alumni may have up to five items in circulation at one time. You can check Alcuin to determine if a particular item is "Available" for checkout or restricted to "Library Use Only."

Due Dates

Alumni may keep most books checked out for 21 days and keep most videos checked out for 7 days. If a book or video is on reserve for a class, the loan period may be shorter. If you need a book for longer than 21 days, it can usually be renewed.

Renewing Books and Videos

If you need a book or video for longer than the normal loan period, you can renew it online, over the phone, or in person. To see what you have checked out, when it is due, and renew online, you will need the barcode number from your alumni card. To renew by phone, you can call the main library circulation desk at 294-2265 or the music library at 294-3795 whenever they are open. Note that if a faculty member has put an item on reserve for a class, or if someone else has requested it during the time you have had it checked out, you cannot renew it, and you have to return it to the library for them to use.

Overdues and Fines

The overdue fine for books that are not returned or renewed by the due date is 10 cents per day. The overdue fine for videos is $1.00 per day. The fine for overdue reserve items is $1 per HOUR (see Reserves below). The library sends out overdue notices as a courtesy. Patrons who do not return items after 70 days will be billed for the estimated cost of the item plus a $15.00 replacement processing fee. Alumni who do not return items and pay fines or charges incurred will be barred from checking out additional items and from requesting transcripts.

Other Services

Alumni may use research databases and other online resources by coming to the James B. Duke Library. Remote access to subscription databases is not available. The library maintains a complete reference collection of Bonhomie yearbooks that alumni may peruse. Alumni are not authorized to conduct interlibrary loan via the Furman University library; contact your local public library for information on the interlibrary loan services it provides.