Library Services

Web site: http://library.duke.edu/

NOTE:  The library uses email to communicate with users. To expedite library services, please verify at a circulation desk that we have your current email address.

Important DIrectories

Library Card Info

Duke faculty, students, and staff must use their DukeCard with a machine-readable number as their library card. As a Duke student you also have borrowing privileges at the Triangle Research Library Network (TRLN) libraries – the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; North Carolina State University, and North Carolina Central University.  Use your DukeCard as your borrowing card at these institutions. 

Duke alumni and retirees; family of Duke staff, faculty, and students; and others with a Duke affiliation may qualify for free library privileges.

Loan Period Info

With some exceptions materials checked out by graduate students any time during the academic year are due on May 15; however, loans are only guaranteed for two weeks if someone else requests the same book. There is no two-week guaranteed loan period for books recalled for use by Reserves; they are to be returned immediately. Books may be renewed if they have not been recalled or have no other outstanding requests for another patron. Loans from all Duke libraries can be renewed through the My Library Card link on the library’s online catalog.

Fine Info

If books are not returned within 28 days after the due date, you will be billed a minimum of $125 (a $100 replacement fee and a non-refundable $25 processing fee). If the actual replacement cost exceeds $100, the fine will be the replacement cost plus the processing fee.

  • Recalled books not returned by their new due date are fined at the rate of $3.00 per day per book.
  • Charges for repair or replacement of damaged books will be assessed to the borrower.
  • Report lost books immediately to the circulation desk.
  • Library charges may be paid at any circulation desk; unpaid bills will be sent to the Bursar’s Office.

Recall, Hold, and Item Search Info

If a book you need is checked out, simply click on the Request link next to the entry in the catalog and a hold will be automatically created for you.. If the book has been checked out for at least two weeks, the book will automatically be recalled. You will be notified by e-mail when the book is available, and it will be held for you at the circulation desk for one week.

If you receive a recall notice, you should return the requested material by the new due date to avoid paying the $3.00 per day fine and as a courtesy to your fellow library users.

Ask at the circulation desk about books you cannot find in the stacks or in the preshelving area. The staff there can tell you if the book is on reserve, checked out, missing, being repaired, etc. If the circulation staff have no information indicating an alternate location for the item, you may submit a search request. Staff members will make three thorough searches for the book. If the book is not found on the first search, the Document Delivery department will request it from another library for you.

Duke University Libraries Laptop Loan Program

Duke University students and staff now have the opportunity to borrow laptop computers from the circulation desk at Perkins and Lilly libraries. Laptops are available for three-hour loan periods during the day and for overnight loan after 11:00 p.m. These Dell laptop computers are available to perform the following functions:

  • Word Processing
  • Spreadsheets
  • Wireless Web Access
  • E-mail
  • Access to your ACPUB account
  • Use of a dedicated print station
  • iTunes

The libraries are extensively wired for high-speed Internet access and these laptop units come preconfigured with wireless network compatibility. Printers are provided exclusively for laptop users in Perkins and Lilly. Ask at a circulation desk if you have questions about this or any other library service.

Lockers and Carrels

Lockers are available at Perkins to any registered student or faculty member on a first-come, first-served basis. Open carrels are assigned first to all other full-time graduate students in the humanities and social sciences, then to graduate students in other schools (e.g., Divinity and Law), and finally to undergraduates writing honors papers. Closed carrels are assigned to full-time doctoral candidates in the humanities and social sciences who have passed their prelims. A limited number of carrels is available to faculty members. Inquiries should be directed to the circulation desk. Many unassigned carrels are located on all floors of the library. These may be used by any student. However, any books left in these carrels will be collected and reshelved. Both locker and carrel assignments are made at the circulation offices, room 115D. A $5.00 refundable deposit is required for each key.

Last updated: 08/04/2005