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Home > Services > Library Services > Borrowing > Visitor Borrowing Privileges

Visitor Borrowing Privileges


KSL welcomes individuals who have personal research needs and offers the on-shelf collections for browsing, reading, and photocopying. For visitors who wish to borrow books from the general circulating collections, KSL offers fee based annual accounts for individuals and for corporations.

Visitor borrowing privileges are available on an annual basis, after applying for and purchasing an annual borrower card. The card is valid for 1 year and is issued by the Administration Office of the Kelvin Smith Library, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 216.368.2991 for an application form.

Annual Fees for Individual & Corporate Borrowers


  • Individual Annual Fee: $150.00
  • Corporate Annual Fee, issued only to individual employees: $250.00/first card; $400.00/second card; $100.00 each additional card after first 2 cards. A photo ID must be presented with the Corporate card to borrow materials, and cards are not transferable.
    • Organization-to-organization borrowing through Interlibrary Loan Services may be possible. Local companies may arrange to send a courier to pick up requested items, via prior arrangements with Interlibrary Loan Staff at 216-368-3517 or 216-368-3463. Corporations may also apply for a convenient online Interlibrary Loan account in order to place borrowing requests via a web form, after sending an account inquiry to smithill@case.edu

Borrowing Privileges for Individual Visitor & Corporate Account


Borrowing privileges extend to circulating book collections at KSL and MSASS library. The borrower is responsible for all due dates, renewals, and fines. Courtesy advance email notices are sent for due dates, renewals, overdues, and bills. General borrowing privileges:

  • KSL & MSASS books: 21 days (up to 4 renewals of 21 days each)
  • Items may be recalled at any time for faculty Course Reserves. Recall fines are $1.00/day.
  • Overdue fees for most Case items are $.25/day; some items have higher overdue fees and shorter loan periods. Fines and Fees has more information, including reminder email notices, and delinquent account actions.
  • Library accounts are blocked when fines reach $15.00. Payment of fines will clear the account immediately.
  • Renew Case items online: "View Library Record" function on Case Catalog, or call the Main Service Desk at 216-368-3506.
  • Journals, reference items, and other special materials or formats do not circulate to visitors.
  • Videos & DVDs, other media, wireless laptop circulation, and Freedman Center materials are reserved for faculty, students, and staff with current, valid Case ID cards.
  • Interlibrary Loan ILLiad services are currently reserved for Case faculty, students, and staff. (Local public libraries or company libraries can provide Interlibrary Loan services.)

General Library Privileges


  • Computers in the library are for educational research purposes and library resources are not to be used for commercial endeavors. Electronic content licenses are for personal educational use only.
  • Remote access to electronic content is currently restricted to Case faculty, students, and staff. Visitors may use designated Guest computers at Case libraries to view electronic content.
  • Printing at KSL is $.05 per image on the public printers. Find and release your print jobs on the printer menu, and insert coins or bills ($1, $5) to pay for prints.
  • Photocopiers are available &  accept coin and $1 and $5 bills. Copies are $.10/page.
  • Please come prepared for your research copying and printing - the library does not give change for photocopying or printing. Equipment will give coin change for bills, when coins are present in the machines.

Access to Kelvin Smith Library information materials, computers, network and building resources is a privilege. Acceptable Use Policy guidelines for the use of shared resources in the library are also applicable to non-Case individual borrowers working in the library.

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.

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Services FAQ

Can I print at KSL? What does it cost & how do I pay?
KSL computers link to 2 high speed, high volume printers. All printing costs 5 cents a page, and you can pay with with your CaseOneCard, coin, $1 or $5 bills. Printers are on the main floor and second floor, across from the elevators.  For locations, check our Maps.
Can I photocopy at KSL? What does it cost & how do I pay?
KSL photocopiers are on the main floor, third floor, and Lower Level, so you can photocopy books and journals. Copies cost ten cents a page on digital copiers, and you can pay with your CaseOneCard, coin, $1 or $5 bills.  For locations, check our Maps.
How do I know what's new and what new books there are?
Read the KSL News Blog for events, services, tools & more, that help you do research. Find it on the library homepage. New Books can either be an RSS alert for your subject area or you can browse the New Books Display on the 1st floor of the Kelvin Smith Library.
Where do I get change? / Is there a Change machine?
Use your ID as your cash, not coins & bills. KSL does not give change & asks you to plan ahead for printing and copying. The copiers & printers take $1 & $5 bills and coins, and will give change for a copy/print when there is suffficient change in the machine. Plan ahead! Activate your CaseOneCard ID if you are a staff member, faculty, or grad student.
Where are the Bathrooms?
KSL bathrooms are on all floors, always behind the elevators.  Check our  for more information.
How do I get a library card?
Your Case ID is your library card if you are enrolled or employed at Case. The first time you use it, staff will swipe it on a library computer to activate your library account and then you can use your ID at any Case library or OhioLINK member library, if your account is in good standing.
Is there a book drop? Is there a drive-up book drop?
KSL has a book drop in the front of the building, under the covered portico, on the Thwing Center side of the Main Doors. Currently, there is no drive-up book drop. The KSL bookdrop is open when there are no Regular Business Hours–when KSL is open, bring your items to the inside book drops. Videos & DVDs must be returned to staff at the Main Service Desk so the are not damaged in bookdrops.
Can I fax something at KSL?
KSL does not have fax services but Thwing Center, next door, does in Printing Services. Stop in weekdays 8-5:30 p.m. for information about fees, etc.
Does KSL have a SelfCheckout Machine? When can I use it?
KSL’s 3M SelfCheckout machine is on the Main Service Desk and can be used whenever you are in KSL! (You must have used your Case ID card at least once before at a Case library for a regular checkout with staff, so your ID data is swiped into the system.) Use SelfCheckout during 24×7, or whenever you need to save time.
Can I checkout the CPL@Case-KSL books and magazines on the KSL SelfCheckout?
Use the CPL SelfCheckout machine nearby the CPL@Case-KSL collections, with your CPL library card. The KSL SelfCheckout machine reads only Case ID cards and Case barcodes.

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Kelvin Smith Library | 11055 Euclid Avenue | Cleveland, OH 44106-7151 | 216-368-3506

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