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About Books

The Library Catalog (catalogUSMAI) contains records for millions of books (as well as other materials) located in the libraries of the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions that are available to borrow.  Books can be delivered (for free) to any student, faculty, or staff member in the continental US, and to overseas faculty at APO and FPO addresses.

Who can Borrow?

In the continental U.S.
Any student, faculty, or staff member in the continental U.S. can request a book for home delivery (free of charge) or to hold for pickup at a USMAI library or Priddy Library at Shady Grove.

Outside the continental U.S.
Faculty members at an APO or FPO address overseas.

There is no limit on the number of books you can borrow. See our Circulation Policy for more details.

Delivery Options

  • Want to pick it up in Maryland?
    Select any USMAI library or Priddy Library at Shady Grove. You will be notified when the book is available, and then you should pick it up within a week. Bring your UMGC Library Card to that library's circulation desk.  Be sure and check the hours of operation. NOTE THAT UMGC IS NO LONGER A PICK-UP LOCATION.  
    This generally takes 3 - 5 business days.
  • Want it delivered to you (for free)?  
    Select UMGC-UMGC Patrons Only and we will deliver the book to you.  We will contact you and give you the following choices:
    • Home delivery inside the continental US 
      We will deliver the book, via UPS, to your home address as entered in your Profile in MyUMGC. Books cannot be delivered to P.O. Box numbers.
      This generally takes 1 - 2 weeks.
    • Office delivery if you have an office at Adelphi 
      When the book is ready, we will offer you the option to have it delivered to your UMGC office via campus mail. 
      It generally takes 3 - 5 business days for the book to arrive at UMGC, then an additional 1 - 2 business days to deliver to your office.  
    • Delivery to APO/FPO addresses outside the continental US (faculty only)
      We will deliver the book, via USPS, to your APO or FPO address as entered in your Profile in MyUMGC in MyUMGC.
  • Delays for recalls
    If you request a book that is currently checked out, it will be recalled from the current borrower. This may delay its arrival.

Renewing a Book

Use the MyAccount feature in the Library Catalog to renew the book. It will show you items borrowed and give you the option to renew.  

Returning a Book

  • Drop it off at a Maryland location.
    A number of drop off locations are available throughout the state, including the following. Be sure and check the hours of operation.
  • Return it by mail.
    If you received the book by mail, at least 1 week before a book is due (2 weeks if you are overseas faculty), repack it and use the free return label provided. If you have an older UPS label addressed to 1616 McCormick Drive in Largo, Maryland, please DO NOT USE it but contact the Document Management Team and request a new one.  
  • Return it by campus mail.
    If you are at a UMGC location in Maryland, you may return the book to the UMGC Library by campus mail. Please send it back at least 2 business days before the due date.

Loan Periods

Loan periods are determined by individual USMAI libraries and vary. The check-out period will be at least 28 days. Note: Books may be recalled by another borrower, shortening the due date.

Fines

You may be fined for overdue or lost books. You will receive a notice with information on how to make payment. NOTE: Fines must be paid to the institution that owns the book. Do not send the payment to the UMGC Library.