Borrowing Privileges

Case Students, Staff & External Post-Docs 

Your Case ID card is your library card at the libraries of Case, and beyond! Just present your current Case ID card to visit and check out materials.

With your Case ID card and your library account in good standing, you may visit and directly borrow general circulating materials (some exceptions may apply) from:

• Any of the Case libraries
• OhioLINK member libraries (remember to take your Case ID with you)
• Case-affiliated libraries: the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA)*
• The Cleveland Institute of Music has limited borrowing privileges for Case individuals.
  Check with the Case Kulas Music Library or the CIM library for details on borrowing privileges.

*Our affiliate Libraries (CIA) share their collections on the Case Catalog and thus OhioLINK considers their items as part of the Case collection (OhioLINK requests are not possible.)  NOTE: You can visit CIA library to borrow directly.

Hours vary widely amongst the libraries of Case - call 216-368-6500 for KSL hours, and always call to verify hours when visiting other libraries. Case libraries, like many other campus buildings, also use card readers in the evening - swipe your ID in the readers at the main door or garage entrance at KSL.

Expand your options

Borrow online, choosing materials from the 45-million item OhioLINK Central Catalog, & specify delivery to the library of your choice. Use OhioLINK when Case materials are checked out or not owned by Case or affiliate library CIA. Delivery is generally 4-5 weekdays days from this award-winning state academic consortium that now includes two public libraries. SearchOhio public libraries partner with OhioLINK to expand your options for even more materials. Order SearchOhio items from the OhioLINK Central Catalog.

Loan Periods & Renewals & Notices

• Regularly circulating materials from Case libraries: 21 days, up to 4 renewals of 21 days each
• Videos & DVDs: 7 days, no renewal. Read more about videos & DVDs, where they are, and how to use the QuickList!
• KSL Wireless iBook laptops at the KSL Freedman Center: 3 hours, no renewal
• OhioLINK loans: 21 days plus up to 6 renewals of 21 days. (Renewals allowed barring holds or recalls)
• OhioLINK media: 7 days, no renewal, unless otherwise noted on the item
• SearchOhio books, audiobooks, and music: 21 days plus up to 3 renewals.  (Renewals allowed barring holds or recalls)
• SearchOhio DVDs: 7 days plus up to 3 renewals.  (Renewals allowed barring holds or recalls)
• Courtesy Notices are sent via email several days before items are due, to help you manage checked out materials. All system notices are sent to your Case email account. If you use a different email account, please forward your Case account to it so you are always informed. The Libraries are not responsible for courtesy notices that are not received.

Recalls: KSL materials are subject to immediate recall for Course Reserves, and OhioLINK items may be recalled by the owning institution. Courtesy email notices are sent to your Case email account when items are recalled for Reserve. KSL occasionally needs to recall a KSL item for Case researchers if no OhioLINK copies are available. This will only occur if the item has been out for at least 21 days to another Case individual. Recall fines can be significant--please return promptly, if your item is recalled. We'll help you find another copy.

KSL also partners with the Cleveland Public Library for CPL@Case-KSL, a browsing collection of best-sellers, audiobooks, and magazines & more that circulates with a CPL library card. Read more about privileges, policies & services for this collection!

Fines & Fees

Plan ahead, and renew online to avoid fines. At Case, all borrowers are fully responsible for returning or self-renewing materials on time, and for the payment of late fines & replacement fees. Fines and fees are different for Case and OhioLINK materials, and can block your account from further local & OhioLINK borrowing & ILLiad services.

At this time all library Fines & Fees can be paid using Case Cash, Cash or Personal Check.

Courtesy email notices are sent to your Case-assigned email address--you'll get advance courtesy notices before items are due, and overdue notices as soon as one-day overdue. Renew often, and check your account online to avoid fines. With so many options to manage your library materials, you can enjoy materials and always be fine-free! Delinquent accounts are now sent to a collection agency...we'd rather have you use the materials and return on time!

Renew Your Books Online @ Your Library Account

Renew books without coming into the Library! Select View Your Library Record from the Case Catalog, on any campus computer or home computer with internet access. Use your account to renew books, avoid late fines and fees, and track OhioLINK or SearchOhio requested items.

OhioLINK Authentication for Remote Access

VPN from the Case Software Library gives you 100% access to both Case & OhioLINK resources. If you are off campus, or away from VPN access, you can still access many resources through the OhioLINK homepage by authenticating with your Library Account Number and PIN.

General questions may be directed to the Kelvin Smith Library Main Service Desk 216-368-3506 or the Contact Us link on the library website.