Cardinal Stritch University Library is open to members of the University community and the general public. Items will not be checked out without a valid card.

• You are responsible for the items checked out on your card until the items are returned.
• Cards may only be used by the person to whom they are issued.
• If your ID cards is lost or stolen, you should report it immediately at the circulation desk.
• Periodicals, reference books, some audiovisual items, and reserve items from other SWITCH libraries DO NOT circulate outside the libraries.

Students, faculty, and staff

Students, faculty, and staff of the University may check out items from the CSU library, any library in the SWITCH consortium, or other libraries through ILLiad Interlibrary loan using their Cardinal Stritch University ID as a library card. This card also provides remote access to the library's subscription resources.

• Expiration dates on ID cards are updated every semester (except for students in nontraditional programs, e.g. Doctoral or accelerated programs).
• Students not enrolled in classes but working on final projects may need to extend their expiry date through an extension form.

Alumni

Alumni have limited library borrowing privileges with their alumni association membership card. These are obtained at the alumni office. Read more about alumni privileges.

Public

The public may purchase a SWITCH library card with limited borrowing privileges at the library . New card requests can take a few days to be processed, so plan ahead.

Library cards may be purchased for the annual fee of $40. Cards are valid for one year from the date of issue and may be renewed. There is no automatic continuation of these privileges. Patrons must re-register and pay the annual fee for each continuing year that they wish these services. Read more about public privileges.

Items found in TOPCAT that are not owned by CSU may be requested by CSU patrons and sent to CSU (or other SWITCH location) for pickup.

• The item should arrive at CSU within 48 hours, often the next day.
• There is no charge for books and other items

Exceptions

• Audio/visual items
• Items that are on reserve

Getting items

Requested item sent to CSU (Stritch Lib Hold Shelf)

Pick up at the circulation desk at the front entrance of the library.

Recall items from other patrons

You have found the item you need in TOPCAT but another patron has the item checked out. You can have the item recalled by requesting it through TOPCAT.

Items may be renewed in person, by phone, by voice mail, or online. When renewing by phone (414.410.4263), please provide your name, the barcode number (14 digits beginning with 450) from your University ID card, and the titles to be renewed.

• Most items in the regular collection can be renewed twice.
• Items from the 'Leased Books Collection' can only be renewed once.
• You cannot renew an item which has been recalled.
• Blocks on your account, such as too much money owed or an expired patron record expired, may prevent you from renewing.

• While the library is open, items may be returned to the book drop at the circulation desk.
• After hours, items may be returned in the book drop outside the library in Kliebhan Hall or in the outside book drop at the northeast corner of the library facing Roger Bacon Hall.
• Items from any SWITCH library can be returned to any SWITCH library regardless of where you checked it out.