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Checking out Materials

All library materials, except specialized reserve materials and compact discs, are on the open shelves. All materials except periodicals, reference, and reserve materials may be checked out of the library. 

To check out materials you must present proof of enrollment in one of the following forms: 

• an MCC ID with the current semester sticker,
• or a copy of your proof of enrollment printed from SURF along with a picture ID with your current address.

Loan Periods

Materials may be checked out of the library for the following time periods:

All materials are due back by the date  on the checkout receipt.

* Periodicals are not available for checkout. Please consult the library's periodical databases or ask a librarian for assistance

Copying Library Materials

Renewing Materials

Patrons may renew checked out materials in person or by telephone: Oceanside Circulation Desk (760) 795-6715; San Elijo Circulation Desk (760) 634-7850. Each item may be renewed one time only.

Placing a Hold

If a book or other item is currently checked out, you may ask us to hold the book for you when it is returned. You may also arrange to have a book sent to either campus. For more information, visit or call the Oceanside Circulation Desk (760) 795-6715 or San Elijo Circulation Desk (760) 634-7850. If you are at the CLC, you may use the CLC request form.

Returning Library Materials

Library materials may be returned to either the San Elijo or Oceanside Campus libraries. Drop boxes are available outside of the library for materials that are returned after library hours.

Overdue Material, Holds, & Fees

No daily fines are collected for overdue material. When an item is overdue, the patron receives a courtesy notice informing them of the overdue status and providing the opportunity to renew the material. The patron is blocked from charging out any library material until the overdue item is returned or renewed. If there is no response to this notice within a week, a second courtesy notice is sent.

When an item is overdue for 30 days, a letter is sent notifying the patron of the material's "long overdue" status. At this point, a campus-wide hold is placed on the patron's record and is in effect until the patron has returned or paid for the material. He or she is unable to register for classes or to obtain grades and transcripts. Return of the material will result in the removal of the campus-wide hold.

If a patron fails to respond to the "long overdue" notice within the time period specified on the notice, the library will post a $54.25 per item fee against the patron's record. A notice of this fee and consequences is mailed to the patron at the time of posting.

• After a fee is posted, no arrangements may be made with the library.
• Return of the materials will not negate the posted fee.
• To restore campus privileges, the patron must go to the campus cashier and pay the $54.25 per item fee plus a college-imposed fee of $10.00 per incident.
• All materials remain the property of the library.

Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges for Palomar College, MiraCosta College, and Cal State San Marcos Students

The services of the MiraCosta College Library have been designed especially to meet the needs of the students of MiraCosta College and to support the college curriculum. Library services are generally available to any area resident and we particularly welcome students from other institutions.

To obtain reciprocal borrowing privileges, students enrolled at Palomar College and Cal State San Marcos must come in to the Library in person and present a valid, current identification card from their own institution, accompanied by a photo ID if no photo is included on the student card (NCHEA Libraries reciprocal lending agreement). Library staff will enter him/her into our on-line database.

One restriction applies to reciprocal borrowing privileges: interlibrary loans must be arranged through the institution at which the student is currently enrolled.

• All circulating items may be renewed once. Renewals may be requested in person or by phone.
• No fines are imposed for late materials, but students are held responsible for items not returned and are charged a $54.25 per item fee.
• No refunds are given.
• Students from each institution, and not the institution themselves are responsible for materials which are lent to them under these reciprocal borrowing privileges.
• Overdue fines, replacement fees, and other rules must be adhered to by the students themselves.
• The institution at which a student is enrolled may, however, at the request of MiraCosta College, place the student under campus-wide hold because of unreturned materials.

Inter-Library Loan

Interlibrary Loan services are a cooperative arrangement through which libraries throughout the world loan to and borrow materials from one another. Many libraries, including MiraCosta, use the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) to facilitate the Interlibrary Loan service. OCLC presently provides online access to close to 20 million titles. If a book or periodical article you need is not in the MiraCosta College Library collection, we will be happy to obtain it for you from another library. There is currently no charge for this service; for this reason, we do reserve the right to limit the number of items we can request for you at one time.

Please complete the appropriate form for a book request or an article request and bring the form to the library reference desk for verification.

Borrowing Privileges for Community Members

Library services are generally available to any area resident. Community members are welcome to come in and use the library at any time without a college identification card, but may not borrow materials without a community patron ID card.

• To obtain borrowing privileges, a community member must come into the library in person and complete a community patron card application form.
• Necessary information includes full name, address, telephone number, social security number, and driver's license or student identification card with a photograph.
• The cost of a community patron card is $6.00 and is valid for one year after date of issue.
• Payment is made at the Cashier's Office and the photo for the ID is taken at the Student Activities Office.
• Community patrons who abuse borrowing privileges will have their borrowing privileges limited.
• Interlibrary loan privileges are reserved only for MiraCosta staff and students currently registered in credit classes.