Guide to Services
The Concordia University Library staff is always available for questions, but should you need or want to find the information on your own, this guide to library services can help you find the answers to some of the most common library questions.
Who May Borrow
The Concordia University library is available for use by members of the university community and the Concordia neighborhood.
University staff and students are issued picture ID cards at the Student Services Office and public users can obtain an off-campus library card at the circulation desk. You are responsible for any item checked out on your card. Be sure to notify the library if your card is lost or stolen.
Reference Assistance
The library staff is available to assist library users in their search for information. The Library Director and the Public Services Librarian are also available to work with instructors and students to develop research strategies for course projects and to give instruction.
Ask a Research Librarian (library@cu-portland.edu)
Just like a virtual reference desk, you may ask questions regarding completing a citation or obtaining bibliographic information.
Loan Period
Most circulating library materials may be checked out for the regular four-week circulation period and may be renewed up to two times, for an additional two weeks each time, if no one has requested the item. Renewals may be made online, in person or by telephone. If you would like to keep an item beyond the renewal limit, you must bring the physical item into the library and present it at the circulation desk. The item can then be checked in and checked back out to you for a fresh loan period.
Photocopier
A photocopier is available for public use at 10 cents per copy. Paper copies of microform materials can be made on the reader-printers at 10 cents per page.
Holds
Most circulating materials can be reserved by placing a hold. If an item you want is currently checked out, go to the circulation desk and request that it be held for you. You will be notified when the item you requested is ready for pickup. You can also place hold requests online through the library catalog.
Reserve Material
Instructors often put class materials "on reserve" for students to use during the semester. These materials are kept behind the circulation desk and may be checked out for limited circulation periods, usually for in-library use only. A listing of each faculty member’s reserve material is available online from the library catalog’s search screen under the "course reserve" tab at the top of the screen.
Group Study Room
The library’s Group Study Room is available by reservation for groups of two or more students. Reservations can only be made on the same day of intended use, and are limited to two hours at a time. Sign-up is at the circulation desk.
Library Overdue Policy
The date-due is stamped in each item.
The day after an item is due, an overdue notice will be emailed to you. Five days later, you will receive a second notice. 30 days after the due date, we assume the item is lost.
If an item is lost, you will be charged for its replacement cost (minimum $40 for each item) plus a $15 billing fee for each item. 60 days after the due date, any unresolved charges are transferred to your student account. If lost items are returned before the charges are transferred, the replacement cost can be waived. The billing fee is non-refundable.
The Library considers any notice sent to you through the Information Office or email to have been delivered. It is your responsibility to keep us informed of any changes to your address or email. You can also check the status of your account online at any time through the library catalog.
Unpaid charges and/or overdue items can block your library account from use.
Concordia Students will not receive transcripts or be cleared for graduation until all library materials have been returned or charges have been paid.