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:
- How to locate items on the shelf
If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to ask us for assistance! - How to request items be retrieved for you
Note: A staff member will retrieve the item for you, usually within 1-3 business days. If you need the item more quickly, we recommend you locate the item yourself.
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 semester | No |
| Books From Juvenile, Young Adult, & Teaching Resource Center only | 30 days | Yes, 1 time |
| Books From Reference collection (1st floor) only | 1 day | No |
| CDs, DVDs, & Blu-Rays | 30 days | Yes, 1 time |
| Laptops, chargers, & other equipment | See Borrow equipment page for details | No |
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 weeks | Yes, 2 times |
| Books From Juvenile, Young Adult, & Teaching Resource Center only | 30 days | Yes, 1 time |
| Books From Reference collection (1st floor) only | 1 day | No |
| CDs, DVDs, & Blu-Rays | 30 days | Yes, 1 time |
| Laptops, chargers, & other equipment | See Borrow equipment page for details | No |
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 days | Yes, 1 time |
| Books From Juvenile, Young Adult, & Teaching Resource Center only | 30 days | Yes, 1 time |
| CDs, DVDs, & Blu-Rays | 30 days | Yes, 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.