Policies

Library Holds System

• Eligibility: Only registered library patrons with no outstanding fines or overdue items can place holds on materials.
• Placing a Hold: Holds can be placed online, in person, or over the phone. Users must provide accurate item details.
• Notification: Users will be notified via their institutional email when the item is available for pickup.
• Pickup Period: Items on hold must be picked up within 7 days of notification. After this period, the hold will be canceled and the item returned to circulation or offered to the next person on the waitlist.
• Cancellations: Users can cancel a hold at any time before pickup by contacting the library or using the online system.

Renewals

• Automatic Renewals: After your initial loan period, items automatically renew every three days until they reach the maximum number of renewals.
  • Patrons should NOT manually renew their items as it could interfere with the maximum number of auto renewals available to you. 
• Due Dates: When you receive an email notification saying your item(s) are now due, you have either reached your renewal limit or another patron has placed the item on hold.
  • You have one week from the due date in the email notification to return the item(s) without penalty. 
• Contact:
  • Circulation desk, circulation@sbts.edu, for questions about renewing SBTS items.
  • For interlibrary loan renewals, contact ill@sbts.edu.

Notifications

• SBTS Email: Library notifications (due dates, overdue notices, etc.) are sent via email to your address on-file.
  • Student, employee, and alumni email addresses are inherited from the institutional record—which Library staff cannot alter.
• Current students and employees: To receive notifications to a different email account, forward your SBTS student email account to your primary account through Google account settings. Campus Technology can provide additional support for this.
• Alumni: Update your primary email address through the Office of Institutional Advancement here. 
• Email Verification: All library patrons should verify their email address through their library account profile page. 
  • If the email address is incorrect, please contact circulation@sbts.edu.

Loan Returns

• Location: During operating hours, items should be returned at the first floor circulation desk.
  • After Hours: Items may still be returned after hours in the book drop located at the library’s ADA side entrance.
• Mailing Returns: Items may be returned via mail services.
  • Patrons are responsible for:
    • Postage and safe return of all items.
    • Lost or damaged items.
  • Patrons may be subject to replacement and processing fees for lost/damaged items.
    • The library recommends that all patrons insure and track their packages.
  • Items are considered returned by the package’s postmark date.
  • Library Address: SBTS Library, ATTN: Distance Education, 2425 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40206-2997
• Contact: For questions regarding book loans:
  • Distance students should contact Emilee Shabel (ill@sbts.edu).
  • All other library patrons may contact circulation@sbts.edu.  

Lost Items

• Claimed Lost: If an item is claimed lost, the patron will be charged the replacement fee or $50 (whichever is greater), in addition to a processing fee of $20. 
• Accounting Blocks: Items not returned within 90 days after the due date will be considered lost, and the patron will be charged for each item.
  • Patrons with items over 90 days overdue will receive an Accounting block which may prevent them from:
    • Registering for classes
    • Using their library account
    • Requesting a transcript
    • Having their degree conferred at graduation
  • If items over 90 days are returned, the patron will no longer be responsible for lost or processing fees.
    • Patron may still be subject to overdue fees.
• Contact: For questions or concerns regarding lost items, contact circulation@sbts.edu.