Cadets, faculty, and staff may borrow items from McDermott Library in person by using library barcode, which is available for pickup at the Circulation Desk. For a list of approved user groups, see the Approved User Policy page.
The borrowing policy is determined by the type of material and by the patron’s user group. Reference materials do not circulate and materials placed on Course Reserves have varying loan lengths based on instructor request and course requirements. Marker Kits are also available for 4-hour, in-house-only loans.
| Patron Type | Item Checkout Limit | Books and DvDs | Bound Periodical Loan Length | Prospector Item Loan Length | Interlibrary Loan Checkout Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadets and Staff | 50 items | 2-week loans, up to 3 renewals | Overnight | 6 weeks, no renewals | Determined by originating institution |
| Faculty and Emeritus/VIP | 100 items | 1 year (365 days), no renewals | Overnight | 6 weeks, no renewals | Determined by originating institution |
McDermott Library borrowers can place a hold to have circulating items from the library pulled from the shelf and held for them to pick up at the Information Services Desk. You will receive an email notification when the item is available for pickup.
If an item is currently checked out, the item will be placed on hold at the Information Services Desk once it is returned. If there are other holds already placed on the item, you will be added to the queue in the order the holds were placed. You will receive an email notification when the item is available for pickup.
To Place a Hold, you need your username and password. If you don't have this information, please visit the Information Services Desk or contact the library through email/chat for assistance. If you know your username, but not your password, follow these directions to change your password.
If the username and password are known, on the library homepage in Quick Links, open "My Library Account".
Cadets, faculty, and staff are able to view the items currently checked out to them and renew them. Most items renew for an additional 2 weeks and can be renewed online or in person.
To Renew Items, you'll need your username and password. If you don't have this information, please visit the Information Services Desk or contact the library through email/chat for assistance. If you know your username, but not your password, follow these directions to change your password.
If the username and password are known, on the library homepage in Quick Links, open "My Library Account"
*NOTE: After 3 renewals an item needs to be returned to the library service desk in order to renew again.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN:
Requests for articles and books from other libraries will be available depending on staff availability.
An Interlibrary Loan request allows you to obtain library materials from other libraries worldwide which are not available at McDermott Library. Use our online request form to let us know what you need and we will find a library that can provide it.
PDF scans of journal articles, book chapters, and news publications can be requested in accordance with copyright law. Books, government documents, theses, music, and some videos may be borrowed, depending on availability. Requests for rare publications, if available, may be designated "In Library Use Only" and can be viewed at the Information Services Desk. You can search for materials that it is possible to request in the database WorldCat. Click on Requesting Items for access instructions.
Search through listings of books and articles held in libraries all over the world. If they are not available in the McDermott Library, an interlibrary loan request can be submitted for those materials. Please expect up to a 2-week wait. The links below feature more powerful and customizable search options available through the McDermott Library for searching the WorldCat database.
You must have a library account to submit an ILL request. Requests may be submitted using our online request form. Please ensure you are on Missionnet or use VPN if accessing the form remotely. Articles will arrive in 2-3 business days while books and other items may take 7-10 business days. Books and films may be obtained faster through Prospector.
The loan period is determined by the library we borrow from, but is typically a month. Please be aware of the due dates. Contact our ILL Office via email or phone well in advance of the due date to see if a loaned book can be extended. Not all lending libraries allow renewals.
You will receive an email notification when a requested item arrives for you at McDermott Library. Please come to the Information Services Desk to complete your checkout. Items should be returned back to McDermott Library by their due date so they can be shipped back to the lending library.
Prospector is a shared catalog of academic, public, and special libraries in Colorado and Wyoming providing access to over 30 million books and other materials, subject to availability.
Why would I use Prospector?
Borrowing through Prospector is generally the quickest way to obtain print materials not available at McDermott Library. Books borrowed through Prospector can arrive within 3 to 5 days, and Prospector provides expanded access to request electronic chapters of eBooks and streaming films. Items in Prospector may be borrowed for 6 weeks only so if you need it for longer please use the Interlibrary Loan form and specify your requirements.
Users can search the Prospector Union Catalog just as you would our catalog. Click on Requesting Items for access instructions.
You will receive an email notification when a requested item arrives for you at McDermott Library. Please come to the Service Desk to complete your checkout. Items in Prospector may be borrowed for 6 weeks only and need to be returned back to McDermott Library by their due date. Presently, the McDermott Library is not allowed to extend the due date on items borrowed from Prospector.
You can view requests and check-outs in your Prospector Account online by logging in with your name and McDermott Library Account Username.
McDermott Library collections are developed through librarian selection, donations, and recommendations. USAFA faculty, staff, and cadets are welcome to suggest new additions to the collection through our Collection Recommendation form.
Recommendations are reviewed by the Library Collection Committee on a number of criteria, including but not limited to:
A librarian will follow-up with requestors within two weeks on access, alternatives, and other issues which may arise.
