Library Materials and Circulation

Materials

Merrill Library holds a large variety of educational materials, including approximately 69,000 books, 12,000 bound journals, 500 current journal subscriptions, 1200 audiovisual materials and 5,000 microforms. The total collection numbers more than 90,000 items.

Items that may be checked out include:

  • Fiction and Nonfiction Books
  • Children’s Books
  • CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes
  • Government Documents
  • Reserve Items (items placed on limited checkout by faculty members)

Materials which must be used in the library include:

  • Reference Works
  • Magazines, Journals, and Newspapers
  • Indexes
  • Microfilm and Microfiche

THE URSUS LIBRARY CATALOG provides online access to information about materials held at Merrill Library and throughout the University of Maine System. Other libraries in the state of Maine can be searched through the MaineCat system, available within URSUS.

AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS held by Merrill Library include CDs, DVDs, video tapes, and other items. The URSUS library catalog lists them by author, title, and subject. These materials may be checked out at the Circulation Desk under the same rules that cover the general book collection.

RESERVE ITEMS may be checked out by current UMM students, faculty and staff only. The rules governing circulation vary depending on the professor that has placed the item on reserve. Please inquire at the Circulation Desk.

Please note that reserve items that are returned late accrue overdue fines of $.25 per hour per item for hourly reserves and $2.00 per day per item for daily reserves. To avoid incurring fines, patrons should return materials to the Circulation Desk by the time and date stamped on each item.

REFERENCE WORKS, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, yearbooks, handbooks, and atlases, are generally those that are meant to be consulted rather than read. They must be available at all times, so they may not be checked out.

MAGAZINES, JOURNALS and NEWSPAPERS must be used in the Library. A photocopier is available for your convenience.

MICROFILM and MICROFICHE of the back issues of many magazines, journals and newspapers are available and can be viewed on special microform readers.

Circulation

  • Use of library materials within the library is free to all.
  • A library card is required to check out materials.
  • The UMM student ID card, the Clipper Card, functions as a student library card.
  • Maine residents may obtain a courtesy card for $5.00 at the First Stop in Powers Hall. Please bring photo ID and proof of residency.
  • The circulation period for library materials is normally 4 weeks.
  • All materials should be returned to the library on or before the due date.
  • A book may be renewed provided it is not wanted by another person.
  • Anyone who has overdue materials may not check out other materials.
  • Anyone who has overdue materials after the end of the semester will be billed the standard University of Maine system-wide library fee of $45.00, plus a $5.00 fee for processing. These charges also apply to lost or damaged books.