Interlibrary Loan / Universal Borrowing within the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) - FAQs

Q1: What is Universal Borrowing (UB)?
Q2: Who is eligible to use Universal Borrowing (UB)?
Q3: What types of materials are available for Universal Borrowing?
Q4: How long can I check out a book?
Q5: Will I be charged fines for overdue items?
Q6: What if I lose an item?
Q7: When will I expect to receive books I have requested?
Q8: How can I check the status of my request?
Q9: How will I know when my books arrive?
Q10: Can I place a hold on a book that is checked out at another campus library?

Q1: What is Universal Borrowing (UB)?

A1: Universal Borrowing is a service that allows Ventura County Community College District students, faculty and staff to borrow books directly from any campus library. Requests are made through the library catalog. In addition, MC students, faculty and staff will be able to request books and have them delivered to their campus library through the library catalog.

Q2: Who is eligible for Universal Borrowing (UB)?

A2: All currently enrolled Ventura County Community College District students, faculty and staff may use the service.

Q3: What types of material are available?

A3: Regular and oversized books that normally circulate on a campus are eligible for universal borrowing. CDs, DVDs, periodicals, textbooks on Reserve, journal articles, reference and special collection materials are not available through this service.

Q4: How long can I check out a book?

A4: For books, there is a 21-day loan period for students and a 48-day loan period for faculty and staff. Audio-visual materials (CDs, DVDs, and videos) are not eligible for universal borrowing. Students may renew their materials once. There is a limit of 5 items charged out at any one time.

Q5: Will I be charged fines for overdue Items?

A5: Libraries will charge fines for overdue items, and will charge a lost/processing fee in addition to those fines for lost items and non-returned materials.

Q6: What if I lose an item?

A6: Fines and overdue notices for lost and non-returned items will be sent to you from the lending library and will be based on the lending library's policies.

Q7: When will I expect to receive books I have requested?

A7: If on the shelf at the lending library, most materials will be received within 3 to 7 days of the request date.

Q8: How can I check the status of my request?

A8: You can check the status of your request (s) as well as your circulation account on your circulation record in the library catalog. Click on the My Account button at the top of the main search screen. You may also cancel requests and renew your items via My Account.

Q9: How will I know when my books arrive?

A9: You will be notified by email when books are available.

Q10: Can I place a hold on a book that is checked out at another campus library?

A10: You may place a hold on a book from your campus but it is not possible to place holds or recalls on materials from another VCCCD campus library.

For additional information, contact the Moorpark College Library Reference Desk by phone: 805-378-1472 or by email at: mcreference@vcccd.edu.