Skip to main content

Borrow & Renew

SUNY Oswego students, faculty and staff can borrow a range of items, including books, DVDs, CDs, laptops, cameras, chargers, and more. All you need is your campus ID!

If you are not currently affiliated with SUNY Oswego, you may still be eligible to borrow some items. See our Services for visitors page for more information.

Finding items to borrow

You can search for available items in Our Collections.

Equipment, such as laptops, chargers, etc. are also listed in Our Collections; however, you can also view a full list of the equipment we own.

Finding items in the library

Our Resources by Floor page explains what collections, services, and offices are on each floor of the library.

We also have two how-two guides that might help you:

Where to check out items
  • Visit the Check-Out & Reserves Desk (right near the entrance of Penfield)
  • Use the self-checkout station (near the printers, to the left of the stairs)
Loan & Renewal periods

Students

What can I borrow?How long can I borrow?Can they be renewed?
Books 
From 3rd floor & 'New Books' section only
Until the end of the semesterNo
Books 
From Juvenile, Young Adult, & Teaching Resource Center only
30 daysYes, 1 time
Books 
From Reference collection (1st floor) only
1 dayNo
CDs, DVDs, & Blu-Rays30 daysYes, 1 time
Laptops, chargers, & other equipmentSee Borrow equipment page for detailsNo

Faculty, staff, & emeriti faculty

What can I borrow?How long can I borrow?Can they be renewed?
Books 
From 3rd floor & 'New Books' section only
16 weeksYes, 2 times
Books 
From Juvenile, Young Adult, & Teaching Resource Center only
30 daysYes, 1 time
Books 
From Reference collection (1st floor) only
1 dayNo
CDs, DVDs, & Blu-Rays30 daysYes, 1 time
Laptops, chargers, & other equipmentSee Borrow equipment page for detailsNo

All other library card holders

This group includes:

  • Partners of faculty & staff
  • Oswego County educators and high school students
  • Alumni
  • Other visitors

For more information on getting a library card, see our services for visitors page.

What can I borrow?How long can I borrow?Can they be renewed?
Books 
From 3rd floor & 'New Books' section only
30 daysYes, 1 time
Books 
From Juvenile, Young Adult, & Teaching Resource Center only
30 daysYes, 1 time
CDs, DVDs, & Blu-Rays30 daysYes, 1 time
Renewing items

You can renew items using the Our Collections system.

If you need one, we have a quick tutorial on how to renew items.

Borrowing limits
  • Students can check out up to 100 items at a time.
  • Faculty, staff, & emeriti faculty can check out up to 200 items at a time.
  • All other library card holders can check out up to 25 items at one time.

However, there may be some limits on borrowing digital equipment, depending on availability.

Fines & Charges

Penfield Library does not charge overdue fines.

We will charge you for items you check out and then lose or damage. If an item is overdue, we will send you 3 notices to remind you to return the item. If we don't hear from you, we will assume the item is lost and apply a replacement charge to your account.

Charges will not prevent students from registering, graduating, etc.

You can pay your charges online.

You can also appeal a charge.

Suspension of library privileges

Students

Students' borrowing privileges will be suspended if the student has:

  • $25 or more in library fees on their account
  • more than one overdue item
  • an overdue recall item (meaning that we need that item for Course Reserves, and are waiting for you to return it) OR
  • interlibrary loan materials more than 2 weeks overdue

Faculty & staff

Faculty & staff borrowing privileges will be suspended if the person has:

  • $150 or more in library fees on their account ($50 for emeriti faculty) OR
  • interlibrary loan materials more than 2 weeks overdue

All other library card holders

Other library card holders' borrowing privileges will be suspended if the person has:

  • any overdue items OR
  • any unpaid fees

Borrowing privileges will be reinstated once the item is returned or a replacement has been acquired.

Can't find something?

If we should have an item, but you can't find it on our shelves, you can submit a request to have our staff search for the item.

If we don't have an item you need, you can request materials from other libraries.