Policy
Community members and alumni can request a community borrower card to check out library materials.
Eligibility
Residents of North Carolina or part-time residents who own property are eligible for a library card. You must be 18 years or older and live in the following counties:
- Ashe
- Avery
- Burke
- Caldwell
- Catawba
- Watauga
- Wilkes
Appalachian State University alumni, regardless of place of residence are also eligible.
The following are not eligible:
- Minors
- Elementary and high school students
- Dependents of Appalachian State University employees
- Appalachian State University students while enrolled
Proof of eligibility
Residents or part-time residents of North Carolina must do one of the following:
- Present a valid North Carolina driver’s license (or valid North Carolina state-issued picture ID).
- Present a valid driver’s license (or valid state-issued picture ID) and a tax bill for property in one of the counties listed above.
Alumni must present a valid driver’s license (or valid state-issued picture ID) and verify alumni status in the ASU Alumni Directory, or the alumni mobile application, App State Connect.
In addition, you must have a valid email address to receive notifications from the library.
Application
Stop by the Library Service Desk on the main floor of Belk Library and speak with a staff member. We approve cards during regular operating hours.
Cost
The cost of the card is $10 annually.
Privileges
The card provides borrowing privileges for:
- Browsing Collection
- Main Stacks
- Movies Collection
- Instructional Materials Center (IMC)
- Appalachian Collection Stacks
- Music Library Stacks
- Government Documents
It does not include the following services:
- ABC Express
- Booking a group study room or viewing room
- Interlibrary Loan
- Music Library sound recordings
- State-adopted textbooks from the IMC
- Remote access to databases
- E-book downloads and checkouts
- Course reserves
Loan periods
| Main stacks, IMC, Special Collections | 30 days |
|---|---|
| Government documents | 30 days |
| Multimedia | 14 days |
| Periodicals | 14 days |
| Browsing collection | 30 days |
| Audio books | 30 days |
Maximum checkouts allowed
| Total | 20 |
|---|---|
| Bound periodicals | 5 |
| Multimedia | 5 |
| IMC Materials | 15 |
Policies
- ID required for all transactions: You must present your Community Borrowers Card at the Library Service Desk for all transactions.
- Responsibility: The person to whom the card is issued is responsible for its use or misuse. You are also responsible for a lost or stolen card until it is reported to a staff member at the Library Service Desk.
- Lost or stolen card: If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately. You may get a replacement card in person at the Library Service Desk.
Fines and notices
As a courtesy, three overdue notices are sent via email. A block is placed on any cardholder owing $25 or more.
There are no over due fines on most books and A/V materials, however items not returned 30 days after the specified due date will be automatically billed $60. If the item is returned, the $60 will be waived, but overdue fines may apply for some items.
Cardholders are responsible for paying overdue fines and replacement costs for lost or damaged materials. Unpaid fines are transferred to the University Cashier's Office for collection.