Library
The Hamilton College libraries comprise the Daniel Burke Library, the Music Library and the Jazz Archive in McEwen Hall.
The General Collections
Hamilton College students may borrow up to 200 books for the entire semester. During the last two weeks of a semester, books may be renewed, and will then become due on the last day of the following semester. Seniors may not renew books after December 31st or May 31st, depending on their last semester. The library may recall items after 14 days if another patron has requested them. Items needed for course reserve may be recalled earlier than 14 days. Items that have been recalled must be returned and may not be renewed. The College ID card serves as the borrower's card. Graduates living within a 50 mile radius of the college may request an Alumni Library card. For more information about borrowing books and reserves from the library, please refer to the Library Web page.
Videos and DVDs are available for three-day loans. CDs, LPs, scores, and music reserve readings are available at the Music Library in the basement of McEwen Hall.
Reserve Collections
The reserve collections consist of course-related items chosen by faculty members. All members of a class must share in the use of these materials, and restrictions governing their use are designed to ensure equal access to them. The reserve materials are available at the circulation desk and via Blackboard. Students must use their valid College ID card to borrow physical reserve items. Students may borrow only one physical reserve item at a time. Reserve materials may be taken for overnight use two hours before the library closes and must be returned within one hour of opening on the following day. The Music Library also provide reserve collections of course-related materials.
Electronic reserve readings are available on the Library web page through Blackboard and the Library catalog.
Non-Circulating Material
Some library materials may be used only in the library. These materials include reference books, periodicals and newspapers, microfilm and microfiche, and rare books.
The use of CDs, LP records, and most other materials in the Music Library is restricted to the library. A collection of music scores, which does circulate, is also housed in the Music Library.
For more information about library collections and regulations governing their use, please refer to the Library Web page.
Interlibrary Loan Services
Books, articles, and other materials not available in the Hamilton College Library may be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan Services. 8-12 weeks is the average amount of time a lending library allows its materials to be borrowed. Books borrowed through Interlibrary Loan should be returned to the Circulation desk at Burke Library by the date indicated on the front of the item. Renewals are granted at the discretion of the lending library.
Special materials such as reference books, entire issues of periodicals, rare books, or recently published books may be difficult or impossible to borrow through Interlibrary Loan. Every effort will be made to obtain a copy of the requested material. Some borrowed materials may be restricted to "In Library Use Only." You can track the status of your request in your account in ILLiad.
Interlibrary Loan materials can be requested for use during the summer research session, if the student is a resident on campus.
Fines
Please refer to the Access Services webpage for current policies regarding fines for late, damaged, or lost materials.
Students found in violation of these rules will be subject to a fine or taken to the Judicial Board, as appropriate.
