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Borrowing, Renewing, and Returning

How to Borrow Library Materials

All libraries are open for circulation!

Students can find and check out library materials from all locations. Please see library hours for open hours. 

Request Materials for Pickup

Students may request many library materials (including laptops, Chromebooks, WiFi hotspots, books, and Associated Students (AS) Bookloan books) and pick them up at the Circulation Desk for the library where the request was placed. Please note that course reserves are not requestable. Use the following instructions to request an item:

  1. Use OneSearch to find the item you would like to check out
  2. In the "Get it" section of the item page, click on the sign-in link and sign in with your RAM ID and password.
  3. Once you're signed in, click on the Request button next to the item you are requesting.
  4. Wait for a confirmation email in your CCSF email account saying that your materials are ready to pick up. It can take about a week.
  5. Pick up your item at the library circulation desk in the library that it was requested.
  6. Chat with a librarian if you need help!

Note: Click on the linked heading text to expand or collapse accordion panels.

Returning Materials

Returning Books and Calculators

  • Circulating materials may be returned at any CCSF library.
  • Reserve materials must be returned to the same library they were checked out from.
  • Laptops, Chromebooks, Wifi Hotspots, and Physics kits can be returned to the owning CCSF Library during regular open hours. Do not place these items in the book drops. If the library is closed and the bookstore is open, please return them to the CCSF Bookstore during open hours.
  • To return a book, use a CCSF library book drop or give items directly to the circulation staff. When the library is closed, put the material in a CCSF book drop. See the list of book drop locations below.

Do not return textbooks that you got at the bookstore to the Library. The bookstore may charge you if the books are returned incorrectly. See the Bookstore's Textbook Rental FAQ for more information about returning textbook rentals.

Drop boxes (for returns) by location

Library

Outdoor Drop Box

Indoor Drop Box
Rosenberg (Ocean Campus) Outside of Rosenberg Building on 3rd floor entrance At the circulation desk counter
Alice Statler (Ocean Campus) None Visit the circulation desk
Chinatown/North Beach Center Library

Outside of the building, to the left of the main entrance

 Second floor near library entrance on the elevator side
Downtown Center Library None First floor between elevators, not accessible when building is closed.
Evans Center Library None Visit the circulation desk
Mission Center Library Located to the left of the main entrance on 1125 Valencia St. Visit the circulation desk
John Adams Center Library None To the right of the library's entrance (outside of the library)

Loan Periods

Course Reserves Collection Loan Periods

The course reserve collections contain educational materials for specific courses. Only currently registered CCSF students may borrow course reserve materials. Course reserve materials are kept behind the circulation desk.

Course reserve materials are loaned for exactly one week. There are exceptions, however, depending on item availability. Please double-check your due dates during check-out and on your online library account.

Course reserve materials cannot be renewed. Please return course reserve materials on time to avoid library account blocks.

Circulating and Browsing Collection Loan Periods

Patron Type Circulation Collection Loan Period Number of Renewals Maximum Number of Items
Student 3 weeks Can be renewed once 50
Faculty 1 semester None, only on a semester basis 50
Community Patron 3 weeks Can be renewed once 2

Request an item checked out to another borrower

Request an item checked out to another borrower

A patron may request that an item to be held for them when returned by another borrower. Look up the item in OneSearch, sign in, and find the request button. Requesting an item will prevent the current borrower from renewing it.

Library Cards

A RAM ID and password are required to make a request for library materials.

You need to have a current CCSF photo ID card or an official photo ID such as a driver's license or passport to borrow materials. Visit Library Cards for information on how to get a CCSF ID card or a community card.

Newly registered noncredit students without a CCSF ID card may be able to get a temporary library card with proof of registration. Please contact the specific center library for more information.

Renewing Materials

 

Circulating collection books can be renewed once during the three-week loan period for an additional three weeks.

Course reserve items cannot be renewed and must be returned on time.

Technology items check out for the whole semester, cannot be renewed after May 21, 2025, and must be returned on time.

On the Web

  1. Visit the library account login page.
  2. Select RAM ID Login if you are a CCSF student or employee. Click on Community Card Login if you are a Community Card holder.
  3. Sign in with your login information.
  4. After successfully signing in, you can see a dashboard with an overview of your account.
  5. Click Renew All to renew all loans. Individual items may be renewed by clicking on Renew for each item.

By Telephone

  • Call a Circulation Desk at a CCSF Library. Please note that the library has limited staffing but voicemails are checked regularly.

 

Fines

Borrowers are responsible for returning library items on time. Overdue and lost items on a library account will result in blocks from circulation and possible item replacement costs. See fines for more information.

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Library & Learning Resources, City College of San Francisco
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