Policies

The mission of the National University of Natural Medicine Library is to promote information literacy and support the research needs of NUNM students, faculty, and staff, and to serve as a resource for the wider community.

General use rules for the library

  • Food and drinks are allowed in the library. Please be considerate of how your food and drink may affect those around you.
  • The library stacks are designated for quiet study. Please keep conversation to a minimum in this area.
  • Materials in the Rare Book Room are locked in cases. Patrons may access the cases with permission from library staff.
  • If the security system is set off, the Library reserves the right to search the bags of any person in the vicinity of the security system.

Library circulation policy

  • NUNM students, faculty and staff may use their NUNM identification cards to borrow circulating materials from the NUNM Library and from the libraries of Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, University of Western States and Linfield College (Portland campus).
  • Loan periods: books, three weeks; media materials, two weeks; reserves, six hours during the day and overnight after 3 p.m. (due back at 10 a.m. next day library is open); reference materials, journals, vertical file materials and rare books do not circulate.
  • Renewals: Borrowers may renew their checked-out materials up to three times. The borrower may renew the materials in person, by phone, or on the Web. If there is a hold request for the item, it cannot be renewed.
  • Holds: Patrons may place a hold on a checked out item by selecting the request option in the catalog or by asking library staff for assistance. Patrons will receive an email when the item is available. Items will be held at the library front desk for a week.
  • Returning materials: It is the borrower’s responsibility to return the materials on time. Library materials can be returned to either the front desk of the library or the book-drop box located outside the library. The book-drop box is checked daily. Items from the box are considered returned the previous day at closing.
  • Fines: Please see this news post about our Fine-Free Pilot Test.
    Fines are assessed to encourage prompt return of library materials. Borrowers are responsible for all accumulated fines. The following charges will be applied to items returned late: books and audiovisual materials, $.25 per day; Reserves, $.75 per hour. Borrowers are capped at $5 maximum per item for overdue fines. Fines may be paid with cash or checks at the circulation desk.

    • Students are capped at $20 in fines before library account is blocked. Students may also have registration and transcript holds placed on their account for excessive library fines.
    • Alumni are capped at $10 in fines before library account is blocked. Alumni may also have registration and transcript holds placed on their account for excessive library fines.
  • Lost and damaged materials: A fee will be charged for lost or damaged items. The standard fee is $60, but this is subject to adjustment in the case of very expensive or hard-to-replace items.
  • Appeals: If a borrower feels that a fine has been levied in error, or has questions about why a fine has been levied, he or she should contact one of the library staff.
  • Confidentiality: The library makes efforts to maintain the confidentiality of patron records.