Universal Borrowing

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What is Universal Borrowing?

Universal borrowing is a service offered by several Alabama academic libraries. Users from any participating library can borrow books from the other libraries, either on-site with a photo ID or by requesting the items through their library catalog.

What is ALLIES?

ALLIES stands for "Alabama Libraries Exchange Service," which is the group of libraries participating in universal borrowing. The current members of ALLIES are:

Auburn University

Auburn University at Montgomery

Jacksonville State University

University of Alabama

University of Alabama at Birmingham (Sterne Library)

What does this mean for me?

If you do not find the book you need in the University Libraries catalog, you can click on the "Other Libraries" button at the top of the screen and search the library catalogs of the other ALLIES members. If you find the book in another library's catalog, you can use the "Holds/Recalls/Requests" button to request that the book be sent here. When it arrives, it will be placed on hold for you at the Gorgas Library. This means you have access to all the books in the libraries at all five campuses.

If you visit one of the other schools, you can check out books from their library while you are there. Just take the book to their circulation desk and show them your UA photo ID.

Details, please.

Circulating books only. (Not journals, reference books, reserve materials, etc.)

Total number of books you may borrow through ALLIES is 100. (Not including books you check out in the usual manner here at the University of Alabama.)

You can keep the books for 28 days or until the end of the semester, whichever comes first.

You can renew the books one time. Use the electronic renewal feature of the library catalog. (Click on "Your Library Account" and follow the instructions on the screen.)

For more information consult a reference librarian at any of the library locations.

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