Policies

 

Visiting the Library

Please see our Visit Us page for the most current information about visiting the library.

Borrowing from Flaxman Library 

Items may be checked out by members of the S/AIC community, SAIC alumni and I-Share Library members. Please note: Reserve, special collections items, and journals/magazines do not circulate outside of the library.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Limit 50 Items (5 Videos)

  • Books: 16 weeks, 64 week maximum renewal period
  • Audio: 2 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • Video: 7 days, no renewals
  • Board games, video games + consoles: 2 weeks, no renewals
  • Zines (Main Stacks): 2 weeks, no renewals
  • I-Share Books: 4 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • I-Share Audio/Video: 2 weeks, no renewals

GRADUATE STUDENTS
Limit 100 Items (5 Videos)

  • Books: 16 weeks, 64 weeks maximum renewal period
  • Audio: 2 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • Video: 7 days, no renewals
  • Board games, video games + consoles: 2 weeks, no renewals
  • Zines (Main Stacks): 2 weeks, no renewals
  • I-Share Books: 4 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • I-Share Audio/Video: 2 weeks, no renewals

FACULTY
Limit 100 Items

  • Books: 16 weeks, 64 week maximum renewal period
  • Audio: 2 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • Video: 7 days, no renewals
  • Board games, video games + consoles: 2 weeks, no renewals
  • Zines (Main Stacks): 2 weeks, no renewals
  • I-Share Books: 4 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • I-Share Audio/Video: 2 weeks, no renewals

SAIC/AIC STAFF
Limit 50 Items (5 Videos)

  • Books: 16 weeks, 64 week maximum renewal period
  • Audio: 2 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • Video: 7 days, no renewals
  • Board games, video games + consoles: 2 weeks, no renewals
  • Zines (Main Stacks): 2 weeks, no renewals
  • I-Share Books: 4 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • I-Share Audio/Video: 2 weeks, no renewals
  • AIC staff contact Ryerson & Burnham Libraries for requests out side of I-Share (ILL)

ALUMNI
Limit 50 Items

  • Books: 16 weeks, 64 week maximum renewal period
  • Audio: 2 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • Video: In-library use only
  • Zines (Main Stacks): 2 weeks, no renewals

Please note: alumni do not have access from home to library databases after they graduate, as the database licenses we sign state we can only provide off-campus access to currently enrolled students, faculty and staff.

ADULT CONTINUING STUDIES (ACE)
Limit 50 Items - books and audio are due back at the end of currently enrolled course

  • Books: 16 weeks, no renewals
  • Audio: 2 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • Video: In-library use only
  • Zines (Main Stacks): 2 weeks, no renewals

CARLI I-SHARE MEMBERS
Limit 50 Items

  • Books: 4 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • Audio: 2 weeks, 16 week maximum renewal period
  • Video: In-library use only
  • Want to visit the library? Please see our Visit Us page for details.

Fines

SAIC and I-Share borrowers can track due dates and fines in their library account. Your prompt response to library notices will help to limit fees. Questions or account updates can be sent to flaxcirc@saic.edu or provided by call at 312-899-5097.

Overdue fines:

  • Currently no daily overdue fines are charged. If you don’t return your checked out items after 35 days, they will automatically be declared lost and a flat fee applied for replacement costs.

Lost / Unreturned / Damaged Item Fines:

  • Long-overdue items deemed lost will incur a flat replacement fine of $100
  • If you return the item in good condition, all fines are waived
  • Damaged items are charged the replacement cost of the item based on availability of very good condition items
  • We do not accept replacement copies purchased by you in lieu of fee payment
  • All items remain the property of SAIC and must be returned to the library whenever possible

Payment Options:

  • ARTICard (in person only)
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express). To provide credit card information by phone, please call 312.899.5097
  • Check, payable to SAIC Flaxman Library can be mailed to SAIC Flaxman Library Circulation, 37 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603

Blocked from Borrowing

From Flaxman Library

  • $5 fine minimum owed to Flaxman
  • 1 item or more tagged "lost" at Flaxman
  • 3 or more items tagged "lost" in I-Share
  • Transcript/diploma hold for students

From I-Share

  • 25 I-Share items overdue
  • 1 item recalled and overdue
  • 3 "lost" items (overdue 28 days)
  • 10 claims returned on I-Share items
  • 10 I-Share items self-shelved (returned to the shelf without discharge)
  • $200 total owed in I-Share fines or fees
  • contact the I-Share library directly to pay those fines

Borrowing from Other Libraries (aka Interlibrary Loan)

Interlibrary loan (ILL) services are available to SAIC students enrolled in degree programs, SAIC faculty, and SAIC staff. Remember to always check the Library Search and I-Share before placing an ILL request. 

Request an item from I-Share

Request an item not located in the Library Search or I-Share

Using Study Rooms

NOTE: ALL STUDY ROOMS UNAVAILABLE DURING LIBRARY RENOVATION MAY 1 UNTIL FALL SEMESTER 2023

NOTE: These rooms cannot be reserved for attending recurring Zoom meetings or class sessions or as spaces for eating (no food is allowed in these spaces). If you have any questions about a use not addressed below, please email us at flaxman@saic.edu.

Video Playback Stations: 603 Sharp

  • Walk in use only (no reservations)
  • Only for viewing/listening on the equipment provided
  • Limit use to approximately 2 hours (or the length of the movie, album, etc.)

Library Classrooms: 602 Sharp  (2–11 people) and 613 Sharp (12 or more)

For students, faculty & staff: these rooms are available on a walk-in, first come first serve basis. Exception: students can book a room for their thesis presentation to their thesis committees (approx 60-90 minutes).

For faculty: room reservations are only accepted via email to flaxman@saic.edu (in order of priority) for the following:

  • Library instruction sessions
  • Viewing items from the Flaxman Library collections (approx 2 hrs; see 603 policy)
  • Student advising by faculty but not on a recurring basis (30–60 minute sessions)

Walk-in use is okay at other times, but you must give up the room if/when it is reserved or needed for video viewing. Keep noise at acceptable levels that do not disturb others using the library.

Cell Phones, Food & Drink

  • Cell phones are allowed in the library. Please be considerate of others, don't use your phone in the designated quiet areas (east end of the library)
  • Food is not allowed in any area of the library
  • Beverages in covered cups are only allowed in the main collections (6th floor)
  • No food or beverages are allowed in Special Collections / Joan Flasch Artists' Book Collection

SAIC Circulating Resource Usage Policy

 

Donations

Thank you for your interest in donating to Flaxman Library. Financial contributions to the School can be made through the Office of Institutional Advancement.
The Flaxman Library cannot accept donations of books or other materials from the public due to space limitations. Please do not come to the library with books to donate.

  • If you believe you have materials of particular value to the School, please send a list of items to flaxman@saic.edu

  • If you are affiliated with the SAIC (in particular, faculty) and have materials to donate, please send a list of items to flaxman@saic.edu

Those within the SAIC community who wish to donate books or other materials are encouraged to take them to: 

SAIC book-X-change: 112 S. Michigan Avenue 14th Floor lounge  
SAIC Surplus (swap/donate supplies & materials):
37 S. Wabash Ave Woodshop Room 312 
280 S. Columbus Dr Room 123   

  • Below is a list of charitable organizations that accept donations. 

Better World Books
BookMooch
Books for Africa
Books for Soldiers
The Brown Elephant
Goodwill
Habitat for Humanity Restores
LGBT Books to Prisoners
Myopic Books
Open Books
Prison Book Program
Reader to Reader, Inc.
SCARCE
Turning the Page
WikiBooks Book Donations