Borrowing Books
You are welcome to borrow books from the UC Library if you have a current TCard or U of T library card.
Returning UC Library Books
When the UC Library is open: Please feel free either to:
- (a) hand your books in person to a staff member at one of the UC Library service desks (main level or mezzanine), or
- (b) drop them into the wooden book-return box in the hallway, just outside the library's main entrance.
Any time: You're welcome to return UC Library books to another U of T library. Robarts Library even has an outdoor book-return slot that's accessible 24 hours a day (near the Robarts entrance at 130 St. George St.).
When the UC Library is closed, but the UC building is open: If you're in the UC building, you're welcome to drop your books into the book-return box, even during our summer closure. This wooden box is located just outside the main UC Library doors (on the 2nd floor of UC, on the south side of the building, above the grand lobby).
Borrowing Books from the UC Library
You can browse our shelves in person, or you can request books online ("place a hold') via LibrarySearch, then come to the UC Library's main service desk to pick up your books.
Or you can opt to pick up your UC Library requests at Robarts Library, UTM Library, or UTSC Library, as long as you're not in a rush (it takes up to a week -- or sometimes longer -- for your books to arrive at those other libraries).
More information: How do I place a hold in LibrarySearch?
Special collections: Please note that books in the Avie Bennett Collection cannot be borrowed but can be used within the UC Library. The Al Purdy Collection of Canadian Literature is also non-circulating and may be consulted by appointment only.
How to renew your loans
- ONLINE: onesearch.library.utoronto.ca
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How long is my loan period from the UC Library?
Most Books:
- undergraduate students: 14 days
- graduate students: 90 days
- staff: 90 days
- faculty: 90 days
- other borrowers: please see Loan services (U of T Libraries).
Bestsellers:
- all borrowers: 14 days (with a maximum of 1 renewal)
Course Reserves:
- all borrowers: 3 hours or 2 days or 5 days (depending on the book)
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What is the maximum potential time I can keep a book, if my loan is eligible for renewals?
Most books:
- undergraduate students: 84 days
- graduate students: 360 days
- staff: 360 days
- faculty: 360 days
- other borrowers: please see Loan services (U of T Libraries).
About renewals:
- Please see Renewals .
- You can't renew if another borrower has requested the book (i.e., placed a hold on it).
- You can't renew Course Reserves - they're "first come, first served."
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Where do I return my UC Library books?
- You can return your UC Library books directly to the UC Library, or you can return them to another U of T library such as Robarts Library, UTM Library, or UTSC Library (except for Course Reserves)
- There is a book return box just outside the UC Library doors (2nd floor of University College), above the College's main entrance (on the south side of the building). You can return your loans (except for Course Reserves) to this box whenever the UC building is open. We will check them in the next day and backdate the return date to the previous day.
- Please return Course Reserves directly to our service desk.
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How can I place a hold?
- Please see this U of T Libraries web page: Holds.
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What are the fines for overdue loans?
- Please see this U of T Libraries web page: Fines.