These pages explain circulation services and policies at the Stanford University Libraries, including borrowing periods, renewals, and return policies. While policies vary by library and user privilege level (faculty, staff, undergraduate, alumni, etc.), books typically have longer lending periods than other materials, such as DVDs and media. Still have questions after reading these pages? Contact greencirc@stanford.edu.
Renew
Renewal limits
Library items may be renewed multiple times, but once the limit is reached, the item must be returned before it can be checked out again. Items that are on reserve or whose loan period is three days or less cannot be renewed. Renewal limits on media materials vary by library.
| Loan period | Renewals |
| 4-14 days | 1 |
| 28 or 90 days | 2 |
| Quarter | 3 |
| Semester | 1 |
| Year | 2 |
Renewal methods
Books may be renewed any of four ways: online, in person, via email, or by phone.
Online: Within 14 days of an item's due date, you can renew it online.
- To do this, log into My Account. You'll see your list of checked out items. Select the ones you want to renew, then click Renew Items. When the page refreshes, you'll see a column with the new due dates.
- Only faculty may renew media items online and only once; after that, the item must be brought into the library for renewal.
In person: You can always renew items in person, but in-person renewals are required under the following circumstances:
- To renew items from the Media & Microtext Center
- If you've already renewed an item twice using My Account (if so, be sure to bring the item with you)
- For institutional borrowers (bring one coupon for each book you wish to renew)
- If you're a faculty member renewing a media item for a second time
Email: Policies on email renewal vary by library, so be sure the individual library accepts email requests. In general, you may renew by email in two ways:
- Reply to the reminder email you receive that tells you an item is coming due. Request that the item be renewed.
- Email the library where you borrowed the item, requesting it be renewed. Include your Stanford ID number or library barcode number and the barcode number for the items you wish to renew.
Phone: Many libraries accept renewal requests over the phone; you'll need to consult an individual library for its particular policy, though.
Blocked from renewing?
If your record is blocked for any reason, you can’t renew books online or via email. Please check My Account to see why you are blocked. You must clear your account (often by returning overdue items or paying fines) before you can renew or borrow more items. See Suspended privileges for more information.
Recalled items
If someone has recalled an item you have checked out, you cannot renew the item. Instead, return the item by the recall due date to make the material available to others in the Stanford community (and to avoid fines).
