Requirement for Checking Out Books
- GW Law & Medical: Your GWorld card is your library card and is required to check out books.
- WRLC: You will need an ID card from your home university, validated for the current semester.
Types of Material That Can be Borrowed
- General GW circulating collection items
- Materials at the WRLC Storage facility
Book Limit
Determined by your home university's library.
Loan Period
- Undergraduate/Graduate/Non-degree Students: 42 days.
- Faculty: Up to 4 months, using 3 fixed due dates per year (January 31, May 31, and September 30).
- Staff: 42 days.
Recalls
If a book you have checked out is needed for Reserves, it may be recalled. All books are subject to recall at any time. You will be notified by e-mail and will have a new due date assigned to the item. The book needs to be returned on or before the new due date to prevent recall fines of $5 per day from being assessed.
Renewing Books
GW and WRLC books may be renewed at any time, and they will be assigned a new due date 42 days from the day you renew. Each book is limited to 3 renewals. All books may be renewed a variety of ways, including online, email, and phone. Review renewal policies, options, and limits for details.
If you reach the renewal limit of 3, you must bring the books in person to the Check Out Desk to return or renew; if you still need the books, we will start over the process for you, allowing up to 3 more automatic renewals.
Overdue Fines and Other Fees
We do not charge daily fines for general collection books that are overdue less than 40 days. After 40 days, overdue items are considered lost and you will be charged $120 for each book. See details about lost books.
NOTE: Use My Library Account to manage and review your due dates, overdue notices, and available requests. Failure to receive notices does not excuse you from paying fines. WRLC partners: Please use your home institution's "My Library Account".
Other Library Privileges
GW Law, GW Medical and WRLC students, faculty, and staff are eligible for the following library services:
- Consortium Loan Service borrowing
- Direct borrowing at WRLC libraries
- GW Libraries Computers: Now Require a Login
- GW media resources (open media items).
GW Law, GW Medical, and WRLC students, faculty, and staff are not eligible for remote access to databases or Interlibrary Loan through the GW Libraries. GW Law students and faculty may access these services through the Jacob Burns Law Library. GW Medical students and faculty may access these services through the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library. WRLC students, faculty, and staff should access services through their home university's library.
WRLC Member and Affiliate Libraries
Members
- American University Library
- University Libraries, Catholic University of America
- Gallaudet University Library
- University Libraries, George Mason University
- Lauinger and Blommer Libraries, Georgetown University
- The George Washington University Libraries
- Howard University Libraries
- Marymount University
- University of the District of Columbia
