Homeschool Borrowers

Homeschool Borrowers’ Educator Card

Florida Homeschool Borrowers must present their government issued photo ID and form from their school district confirming homeschool status for the current academic year to obtain a free Special Borrowers card. All Special Borrowers cards are non-transferable between individuals. 

A $5.00 processing fee will be issued for the replacement of lost cards. 

Special Borrowers card and valid government photo ID must be present at time of check-out.

Homeschool Borrowers’ Privileges

To qualify for borrowing privileges at the John C. Hitt Library, the Curriculum Materials Center (CMC), the Downtown Campus (DTC) Library, or the Rosen Library, you must be a current UCF student enrolled in at least one class for the semester, be an active faculty or a current staff member, or have a Special Borrower card.  Privileges may vary at UCF Connect Libraries.

All materials are subject to recall after 3 weeks and must be returned when requested.

Material Type Patron Type Loan Period Renewal
 General Collection Books & Government Documents Undergraduate students 3 weeks Yes, until recalled
Graduate students 8 weeks Yes, until recalled
Faculty & staff Biannual Yes, until recalled
Special borrowers 3 weeks Yes, until recalled
Knight Reads (popular books) All 3 weeks Yes, until recalled
DVDs and CDs All 3 weeks 3 renewals
Course Reserve Materials All students Varies No
Interlibrary Loan/UBorrow items All students, faculty, & staff Varies 1 renewal may be allowed
Newspapers & Periodicals All students, staff, & special borrowers In Library Use Only N/A
Faculty 1 Day No
Reference books, special
collections, & annual reports
All In Library Use Only N/A
Curriculum Materials Center Picture Books All 3 weeks Yes, until recalled
Curriculum Materials Center Fiction All 3 weeks Yes, until recalled
Laptops, Tablets, & iPads See Technology Lending Varies No*
Calculators See Technology Lending 24 Hours No*
Headphones See Technology Lending Varies No*
Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Voice Recorders See Technology Lending 3 Days No*
Projectors, Microphones, Speakers, DVD/Blu-ray Players See Technology Lending 3 Days No*
Mobile Device Chargers / Cables See Technology Lending Varies No*

UCF Libraries items in the General Collection and Automated Retrieval Center (ARC) are available to patrons on a first-come basis. UCF students, faculty and staff have no limit on the number of items to be checked out from our General Collection. Non-University Patrons who are issued Special Borrower Cards may have up to ten items checked out at a time.

*LibTech Borrowing Notes:

  • ALL Transactions must take place in person at the LibTech Desk; no renewals via phone or online.
  • Most LibTech items must have one of the same item, in-stock, for the item to be renewed immediately.
  • Certain LibTech items may be renewed immediately if 10+ are in-stock:
    • Apple Pencils
    • Apple iPads
    • Laptops (of the same loan period)
    • Projectors (including the Portable Screen)
  • Certain LibTech items have a 24 Hour Renewal Waiting Period; these include:
    • Systems (Laptops, iPads)
    • Projectors (including the Portable Screen)
    • Audio Equipment including PA Speakers, Podcast Kits, etc.
    • Cameras & Camera Accessories
    • Microphones & Microphone Accessories
    • Tablets & Accessories (Wacom, Apple Pencil)
  • Multiple LibTech item checkouts of the same type (i.e. two phone chargers, tablet and laptop) are not allowed.

Up to 10 total items at a time.


Electronic Resources:

Homeschool Borrowers can access limited electronic resources through UCF Libraries from computers located within a UCF Libraries location (ex. John C. Hitt Library, Curriculum Materials Center, Rosen Library, or Downtown Campus Library).

No off campus access to electronic resources is allowed for Homeschool Borrowers due to resource contractual obligations.


Technology Lending:

UCF Libraries technology lending is not available for Homeschool Borrowers.


Requesting Items in the Automated Retrieval Center (ARC):

UCF Students, Faculty, and Staff can request materials located in the ARC in Primo. When you have found the item you wish to request in Primo, Click the “Sign in” link under the Request Heading on the item page if you are not currently logged in. Click “Community Borrowers” on the sign in pop-up and login with your assigned USER ID and password.

Once you are logged in, a “Request” link will appear next to the “REQUEST OPTIONS” heading. Click the link. Then select the location that you would like to pick up your book and then click “Send Request”.

You will be notified through email when the item is ready to be picked up at the Circulation Desk.

If you are having trouble requesting materials, please contact the Circulation Department: 407-823-2580 or circ@ucf.edu.


Research Consultations

UCF Libraries has subject specialist librarians that can assist with research across all subjects offered through the University of Central Florida. Patrons can meet one-on-one for virtual or in-person consultations with these subject specialists. To see subject options and view librarian availability please visit the appointments page at https://ucf.libcal.com/appointments/.


Patents & Trademarks

The John C. Hitt Library is a Patent and Trademark Resource Center. All visitors to the library have access to patent and trademark information and the option to schedule a virtual appointment with the Patent & Trademark Librarian.

Starting resources for Patents: guides.ucf.edu/patents

Starting resources for Trademarks: guides.ucf.edu/trademarks


Returning Items

In Person Returns:

UCF Library materials can be returned to any UCF Libraries location.  To check your library account, visit the My Account page.

For the John C. Hitt Library, book return receptacles are located between Millican Hall and Phillips Hall, beside the front entrance to the library, and at the circulation desk.

Mailed Returns

Library materials may also be returned via mail to:

University of Central Florida Library, Bldg. 2, Circulation Department 4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, FL 32816

Materials mailed, returned to a non-UCF Library, or returned to another facility remain the responsibility of the borrower until they are received at a UCF Libraries location and checked in. Library materials can continue to be renewed by the patron until they are received by the UCF Libraries and discharged. Once discharged, materials will no longer be displayed on the patron’s library account.

Items borrowed from the John C. Hitt Library and other libraries through Resource Sharing & Document Delivery Services, may be returned to the Circulation Desk of the John C. Hitt Library or other branch campus libraries. It is preferred that you hand these items to a library staff member, but you may also place them in a designated library drop-box. Distance learners, and users unable to travel to their campus library, may mail these items back to the John C. Hitt Library.


Lost, Damaged, or Missing Items

The following policies apply to the John C. Hitt Library, the Curriculum Materials Center (CMC), the Downtown Campus Library, and the Rosen Library.  Policies may vary at UCF Connect Libraries.

Until library materials are received by the UCF Libraries, they are the responsibility of the borrower. Credit for return will be given when the material is checked in a UCF Libraries location. Materials returned to a non-UCF library or any other facility remains the responsibility of the borrower until they are received at the UCF Libraries and checked in.

Lost or Damaged Items

All materials which have been lost, damaged or stolen should be reported immediately. If the item is overdue by more than 30 days it is automatically assumed lost. Patrons will be billed for the replacement cost of lost or stolen items; replacement copies can no longer be accepted. In the case of damaged items, patrons will be billed for replacement costs.

Missing Items

For items that are not checked out and cannot be found on the shelf, the item can be reported missing at the Circulation Desk of the John C. Hitt Library or the service desk of the Curriculum Materials Center (CMC), the Downtown Campus Library, or the Rosen Library. Library Staff will then conduct a thorough search for the requested item over a period of several weeks. When an item becomes available for pick up, you will be notified via email and the item will be held for one week from the date of notification.

Holds & Recalls

UCF Students, Faculty, and Staff can request materials located in the ARC or General Collection in Primo. When you have found the item you wish to request in Primo, Click the “Sign in” link under the Request Heading on the item page if you are not currently logged in. If you are logged in, skip past the next 2 bullets.

  • For UCF Students, Faculty, and Staff, click “UCF NID” on the sign in pop-up and login with your NID and NID password.
  • For Special Borrowers, click “Community Borrowers” on the sign in pop-up and login with your assigned USER ID and password.

Once you are logged in, a “Request” link will appear next to the “REQUEST OPTIONS” heading. Click the link. Then select the location that you would like to pick up your book and then click “Send Request”.

You will be notified through your UCF email when the item is ready to be picked up at the Circulation Desk.

If you are having trouble requesting materials, please contact the Circulation Department: 407-823-2580 or circ@ucf.edu.

Patrons may request items that are currently available and they will be pulled for you in 24 hours. Requested items are still available on a first come first serve basis, regardless of outstanding holds.

If the item you place a hold on is currently checked out it may be recalled. All materials are subject to recall after 3 weeks and must be returned when requested.

Items are held for seven days. Any materials not picked up after that time will have the hold deleted.

If you need an extension for your Hold item(s), or have any other questions regarding your Hold item(s), please email holds@ucf.edu


Fines and Bills

The following policies apply to materials at the John C. Hitt Library, the Curriculum Materials Center (CMC), the Rosen Libary, and the Downtown Campus Library.  Policies may vary at regional campus libraries.

Overdue Fines

Category Hourly Fine Max Daily Fine Max Total Fine Billed Lost + Replacement Charge Academic Block Notes
General Collection $0.25 $5.25 30 Days 30 Days  
Reserve Collection $1.00 Accrue until returned 3 Days 3 Days  
Interlibrary Loan / uBorrow $0.25 $5.25 30 Days 30 Days
LibTech Items $1.00 $18-$100 3 Days 3 Days Fines PER barcoded item
Faculty / Staff 30 days  

Replacement Costs

  • Any General Collection items that are more than 30 days overdue are considered Billed Lost. Replacement charges will be placed on your library account and an University Academic Block will be placed on your account.
  • Any LibTech items that are more than 3 days overdue are considered Billed Lost. Replacement charges will be placed on your library account and an University Academic Block will be placed on your account.
  • Regardless if the item is lost, stolen, or damaged the patron who borrowed the item is responsible for paying the replacement charges.
  • Billed lost items that are not lost, damaged, or stolen may be returned to Circulation and the replacement charges will be reassessed.
  • Items returned more than 30 days after payment will not be refunded paid replacement charges. The library will accept the item as a donation.
  • Replacement copies are not accepted.

LibTech Items

  • All LibTech items will have a $1.00 per hour, per item, late fine assessed once the due date/time has passed.
  • For outstanding circumstances that prevented a timely return of item(s), please review the Library Appeals Process below
  • LibTech does not issue refunds.
  • All items must be returned to the LibTech Desk during LibTech Operating Hours OR to the Print Zone Desk during After Hours Returns
    • LibTech After Hours Returns @ Print Zone Desk:
      • Monday – Thursday: 10pm-1am
      • Saturday: 10am-6pm
      • Sunday: Noon-1am
  • Abandonment Fee: Any LibTech items left unattended anywhere in the Library (including the Circulation Desk) during OverKnight Study Hours will incur a $10 Abandonment Fee on their Library Account.

Paying Fines

  • Fines may be paid…
    • At the John C. Hitt Library by check, credit or UCF ID card
    • At the Curriculum Materials Center (CMC) by UCF ID card only
    • At the Rosen Library by check or UCF ID card
    • At the Downtown Library by UCF ID card or Downtown Valencia ID card only
  • Checks should be made payable to UCF Libraries.
  • Partial payments are not accepted. All transactions must be paid in full.
  • Mailed payments must be by check, money order, or cashier’s check (cash will not be accepted). Mail payment to: University of Central Florida, Library Circulation, P.O. Box 162666 Orlando, FL 32816-2666

Library Account Blocks

Patrons who owe $10.00 or more will have a block placed on their library account. This block will prevent the patron from checking out library materials and renewing library materials. This block will be removed once full payment is made by the patron, or the billed lost items are returned and any remaining fines are paid.

University Academic Blocks

Students who owe a total balance of $100.00+ or have been charged a damaged or replacement cost will have an University Academic Block placed on their account. The University Academic block will be placed on registration. This block will be removed once full payment is made by the patron or all billed lost items are returned and any remaining fines are paid.

Library Account Blocks and University Academic Blocks may also be applied according to the discretion of the Head of Circulation Services, the Head of the CMC or Rosen Library, the Head of the Downtown Campus Library, or the Library Administration.

Library Charges Appeals Process

Appeals Form

All Library charges of overdue, damaged, or lost materials may be appealed upon patron request. The Appeals Form is available ONLY  online. The Library Appeals Committee will review your submission and make a final decision on the acceptance or rejection of your appeal, within one week. You will be notified by email or telephone of this decision.

Claims Returned

Claims Returned Form

Library materials that remain on your account, that you believe have been turned into the library, must be reported to the Circulation Desk as soon as possible. After filling out a claims return form, a series of diligent searches for the item will be made throughout the Library over a period of two weeks. During these two weeks you are urged to continue searching your own residence, vehicle, or other related areas.

Any claim returned materials that are found in the Library by staff, will have their charge waived.  If the claim returned item is not found after the two week search period, you will be notified via e-mail that the searches have been unsuccessful. At this time, payment for the replacement of the lost materials is expected.

Questions About Fines & Bills

Contact the Circulation department at the John C. Hitt Library for questions or concerns about library fines and bills.

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