Borrowing & Access Services

The Information Desk is staffed from 6:00 am until Midnight 7 days a week (with the exception of Holidays observed). Staff can assist you in finding materials in the collection; checking out library materials, and group study rooms; obtaining a library card; and much more. Contact us!

Everyone is welcome to use the on-site resources of the Arizona Health Sciences Library, however only the following users are eligible to borrow materials:

• University of Arizona & AHSC faculty, staff and students
• Arizona Cancer Center and UMC employees
• Health-care practitioners in Arizona*
• All residents of Arizona*
• All businesses and organizations in Arizona*

*Must purchase AHSL Community Card or AHSL Corporate Card

Remote access to the library's digital collection is available to UA faculty, staff and students with a current UA CatCard. Clinical faculty and Visiting Scholars should contact the CatCard Office or their College/Department to find out how to obtain their free CatCard.

To determine eligibility for other AHSL services, see

Borrowing Privileges

To borrow books and other library materials, all UA faculty, staff and students must fill out an application at the Information Desk (or use the online form) and provide identification, current home and business addresses, phone numbers, and email address. Where appropriate, UA CatCards are used as library cards; other eligible users will receive AHSL cards.

AHSL Community Cards are also available for all current residents and health professionals of Arizona. The annual fee is $60.00. AHSL Corporate Cards are available for corporations and business in Arizona for $500 per year.

The following library materials can be loaned to users with a current AHS Library card:

• Books (28 days; two renewals)
• Pre-1997 journals (1 week)
• Audiovisual materials (1 week; three 1 week renewals)

Available to AHSC students only:

Materials are checked out at the Information Desk near the entrance of the library. Users must have their CatCard or AHSL card in their possession and their records must be clear of any outstanding charges. It is the responsibility of the user to take care that library items are not damaged or lost and are returned by the due date.

To renew books and audiovisual materials via the web, go to the Your Account and enter your last name and 16-digit Catcard number. Follow the directions on the screens. You may also renew materials at the Information Desk or by calling 520/626-1218 or sending a message to refdesk@ahsl.arizona.edu. Be sure to have the items you wish to renew on hand. After 3 renewals, materials must be returned to the Library before being checked out again.

To renew an Interlibrary Loan book, send an email to ahsill@ahsl.arizona.edu or call 520-626-6840 BEFORE the book is overdue. ILL staff will contact the lending library and ask for an extension on the loan. Staff will contact you to let you know.

When an item is not returned or renewed by the due date, it is considered overdue. The first overdue notice will be sent either by email, UA mail or the US mail three days after the item is due. Two additional notices will be sent over the next two weeks. After the second notice, users' borrowing privileges are blocked and they may no longer check out materials. When materials in the general collection are 45 days overdue or when reference or audiovisual items are 15 days overdue, a bill will be sent to the user for the dollar amount for the replacement of the item. At this time, accounts in the UA Student Information System will be encumbered.

When an overdue item is returned, the user's account is cleared and borrowing privileges are reinstated.

If you cannot locate a circulating item, please check the Library Catalog to see if the item is checked-out. If the item is checked-out, you may recall the item. Note: there are exceptions to items that can be recalled.

You must have a valid library card and be in good standing in order to recall items. Recalls can be placed on an item using the online catalog. If you find that an item is checked-out, from its online record simply click on the "Recall this item if checked-out" link found at the bottom and top of the page.
If you have an item which has been recalled, you will receive an e-mail or letter indicating that the item has been recalled and needs to be returned.
Recalled items are due within 10 days of the date the recall is placed.
If you have recalled an item, an e-mail or letter will be sent notifying you when it is available.
Materials requested to be placed on Course Reserves are subject to immediate recall.
Items will be held for seven days after being returned. If an item has additional holds, it can only be checked-out for seven days.
Failure to return recalled materials by the new due date indicated on the recall notice will result in a suspension of borrowing privileges

When a user places a hold on an item that is already checked out, a recall notice is sent to the user who has the item only after the item has been out for one loan period. The user is asked to return the item immediately. At ths time there is no fine for non-compliance.

When an item in the catalog gives its current location as "IN-PROCESS," this means that the book or audiovisual is being prepared and has not yet been placed on the library shelves. If you wish to be notified when the item is ready, ask the Information Services Desk to place a hold for you.

To view your library record via the web, go to the Your Account and enter your last name and 16-digit Catcard number. Follow the directions on the screens. You will be able to see your currently checked out books and audiovisual materials, unpaid bills, holds, and library messages. Contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.

At this time AHSL does not charge fines for overdue materials with the understanding that users accept the responsibility to return their materials on time so others will not be inconvenienced. However, if an item is not returned for over 45 days, the overdue books are considered lost and a billing statement or invoice is generated for the replacement cost of the books. If the books are returned, the invoice is credited, but there is a $25 processing charge for each overdue book.

Borrowed material that has been lost should be reported immediately to the Information Desk. The cost to replace the material will be determined and a billing statement will be sent to the user. Accounts in the UA Student Information System will be encumbered and borrowing privileges will be suspended until payment is made. When the bill is paid, the user's account is cleared and borrowing privileges are reinstated.

Material, which is returned and determined to be damaged, will be forwarded to Collection Services where a decision will be made about whether to repair or replace the item. If it is to be repaired, an estimate of the cost will be prepared and a billing statement will be sent to the user. If it is to be replaced, the cost of the replacement will be determined and a billing statement will be sent to the user.

For questions about billing statements or lost/damaged books, contact Javad Basij, Information Desk Supervisor, at 520-626-4398.