For an explanation of Special Borrower privileges, see Library Guideline 256.

For a list of Special Borrower types, see Special Borrower Types.

Note: Only staff should register special borrowers. Students should ask an available staff member for help.

Special Borrower Registration Procedures

Special borrowers are patrons who are not currently faculty, staff or students at UMBC.  The data entry aspect of registering a special borrower is no different from entering anyone else.  There are several categories of Special Borrowers.  Each one has specific requirements that must be met and fees to be paid in order to be granted library privileges.

Note: High School Students must fill out the High School Registration Form.

All other Special Borrowers must fill out the Special Borrower Registration Form.

Friends of the Library and Gallery

Friends have given the library either a donation or a gift in kind valued at $100 or more in the last 15 months.  The library sends them a letter thanking them for joining the Friends and acknowledging the gift.  The letter also offers Special Borrower privileges at no cost.

To register a Friend of the Library and Gallery:

1. Members of the Friends should bring their letter to the Circulation Desk.

2. Check to see if there is already a record in Aleph, searching by name. 

3. If no record exists, give the patron a Special Borrower’s Registration form and ask them to fill it out.

4. Ask for a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).

5. MAKE A COPY OF THE PICTURE ID in the space provided on the Special Borrower’s Registration Form

   1. Take the registration form, ID and template (located in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder) to the department copier.

   2. Place the ID in the template and place it on the bed of the copier as directed on the template.

   3. Place the registration form face up in the bypass tray on the right side of the copier.

   4. Press the Start button.

6. Take the registration form, template and ID back to the Circulation Desk. Give the ID back to the patron and put the template back in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder.

7. Get a red plastic ID card and register as a new borrower, using the information on the form.         

8. Choose BCFOTL as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node. 

9. The default expiration date is one year.  If the letter offers library privileges for a longer period, you must adjust the expiration date to match the letter.

10. Click the Get Defaults button and then the Update button.

11. Move the cursor to the expiration date and enter the correct date.

12. Click the Update button.

13. If an expired record exists with a different patron status, overwrite it using the barcode on the Special Borrower’s Card.  Verify the address.

Borrowing privileges may be renewed if the patron can present proof that they are still a member of the Friends of the Library, and shows a valid photo ID. There is no charge for a new card.

High School Students

Current high school students can get Special Borrower privileges for $2.00.  Most are registered when they come to the library as part of a prearranged school visit. 

The rest must meet these guidelines:

• Present a completely filled out High School Registration Form.  NOTE: If the student is under 18 years of age, the form must be signed by a parent or guardian.

• Present a valid high school ID card or a letter on school letterhead verifying their status as a current student.

• Pay a fee of $2.00 either by check or with money on a guest card.

To register a high school student:

Check to see if there is already a record in Aleph, searching by name.

1. If no record exists, register as a new borrower.

2. Get a paper library card and apply a barcode (starting with 21429) to the back.

3. Choose BCHSC as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node.

4. Fill in the paper library card using the information on the registration form, the Aleph Patron ID number (00000xxxxxxx) in the ID Number box and BCHSC as the Privilege.

5. Payment can be made using a check (write out a receipt, using BCHSC on the ‘For’ line) or a guest card (write BCHSC on the Diebold receipt).         

NOTE: If a student has UMBC library privileges that have expired, they can be renewed with proof that the student is still attending high school.  There is no charge if the student still has their library card.  If a new card has to be issued there is a $2.00 replacement charge.

UMBC Alumni

UMBC alumni can get library privileges at UMBC for free upon presentation of an alumni card from Alumni House (located at 5451 Wilkens Avenue).  These privileges are good for two years and can be renewed.

To register alumni:

1. Check to see if there is already a record in Aleph, searching by name.  If they have a recent red UMBC ID, you can use that to check.

2. If no record exists, give the patron a Special Borrower’s Registration form and ask them to fill it out.

3. Ask for a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).

4. MAKE A COPY OF THE PICTURE ID in the space provided on the Special Borrower’s Registration Form

   1. Take the registration form, ID and template (located in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder) to the department copier.

   2. Place the ID in the template and place it on the bed of the copier as directed on the template.

   3. Place the registration form face up in the bypass tray on the right side of the copier.

   4. Press the Start button.

5. Take the registration form, template and ID back to the Circulation Desk. Give the ID back to the patron and put the template back in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder.

6. Get a red plastic ID card and register as a new borrower, using the information on the form.         

7. Choose BCALM as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node.

NOTE: If an expired record exists with a different patron status, overwrite it using the barcode on the red and white Special Borrower’s Card.  Verify the address.            

Borrowing privileges may be renewed at no charge if the patron still has their card and shows a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport). If a new card has to be issued there is a $15.00 replacement charge.          

NOTE: OLD UMBC STUDENT ID CARDS ARE NOT VALID AFTER GRADUATION.

USMAI Alumni

Alumni of University System of Maryland Affiliated Institutions (USMAI) may borrow material from UMBC if they have valid borrowing privileges from their home library.  We cannot renew expired privileges.  The patron can contact their home library to renew their library privileges or register as a UMBC Special Borrower at a cost of $50.00/year

Parents of Current UMBC Students

Parents of current UMBC students can get library privileges at UMBC for a one-time fee of $15.00.  These privileges are good for one year and can be renewed after presenting proof that their son/daughter is still enrolled.

To register a parent:

1. Ask for proof that the patron is the parent of a current UMBC student (ex. Copy of a bill or course registration letter where the mailing address of the student matches the mailing address on patron’s license).

2. Check to see if there is already a record in Aleph, searching by name.         

3. If no record exists, have the patron fill out a Special Borrower’s Registration form.

4. Ask for a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).

5. MAKE A COPY OF THE PICTURE ID in the space provided on the Special Borrower’s Registration Form

   1. Take the registration form, ID and template (located in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder) to the department copier.

   2. Place the ID in the template and place it on the bed of the copier as directed on the template.

   3. Place the registration form face up in the bypass tray on the right side of the copier.

   4. Press the Start button.

6. Take the registration form, template and ID back to the Circulation Desk. Give the ID back to the patron and put the template back in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder.

7. Get a red plastic ID card and register as a new borrower, using the information on the form.         

8. Choose BCSPC1 as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node.

9. Payment can be made using a check (write out a receipt, using BCSPC1 on the ‘For’ line).  A guest card or the library card being issued can also be used (write BCSPC1 on the Diebold receipt).

If an expired record exists with a different patron status, overwrite it using the barcode on the red and white Special Borrower’s Card.  Choose BCSPC1 as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node. Verify the address.

Borrowing privileges may be renewed at no charge if the patron still has their card, has proof that their son/daughter is still enrolled at UMBC and shows a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport). If a new card has to be issued there is a $15.00 replacement charge.          

NOTE: Upon graduation of their son/daughter, the patron must get a regular Special Borrower Card at a cost of $50.00/year if they wish to renew their borrowing privileges.

Spouses of UMBC Faculty and Staff

Spouses of UMBC faculty and staff can get library privileges at UMBC for a one-time fee of $15.00.  These privileges are good for one year and can be renewed after presenting proof that their spouse is still employed at UMBC.

To register a spouse:

1. Ask for proof of the spouse’s affiliation with UMBC (ex. Spouse with their current UMBC ID card).  

2. Check to see if there is already a record in Aleph, searching by name.

3. If no record exists, give the patron a Special Borrower’s Registration form and ask them to fill it out.

4. Ask for a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).

5. MAKE A COPY OF THE PICTURE ID in the space provided on the Special Borrower’s Registration Form

   1. Take the registration form, ID and template (located in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder) to the department copier.

   2. Place the ID in the template and place it on the bed of the copier as directed on the template.

   3. Place the registration form face up in the bypass tray on the right side of the copier.

   4. Press the Start button.

6. Take the registration form, template and ID back to the Circulation Desk. Give the ID back to the patron and put the template back in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder.

7. Get a red plastic ID card and register as a new borrower, using the information on the form.         

8. Choose BCSPC1 as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node.

9. Payment can be made using a check (write out a receipt, using BCSPC1 on the ‘For’ line).  A guest card or the library card being issued can also be used (write BCSPC1 on the Diebold receipt).

10. If an expired record exists with a different patron status, overwrite it using the barcode on the red and white Special Borrower’s Card.  Choose BCSPC1 as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node. Verify the address.

Borrowing privileges may be renewed at no charge if the patron still has their card, has proof that their spouse is still affiliated with UMBC and shows a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).  If a new card has to be issued there is a $15.00 replacement charge.

NOTE: If their spouse is no longer affiliated with UMBC, the patron must get a regular Special Borrower Card at a cost of $50.00/year if they wish to renew their borrowing privileges.

Non-USMAI Faculty

Faculty of institutions outside of the University System of Maryland (USM) that do not have reciprocal agreements with UMBC can get library privileges at UMBC for a one-time fee of $50.00. They must present both a valid ID from their home institution and an OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program (RFBP) card that they can obtain at their home library.  These privileges are good for one year and can be renewed upon presentation of the same IDs originally presented.

To register Non-USMAI faculty:

1. Ask for a valid ID from their institution and an OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program (RFBP) card.

2. Check to see if there is already a record in Aleph, searching by name.

3. If no record exists, give the patron a Special Borrower’s Registration form and ask them to fill it out.

4. Ask for a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).

5. MAKE A COPY OF THE PICTURE ID in the space provided on the Special Borrower’s Registration Form

   1. Take the registration form, ID and template (located in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder) to the department copier.

   2. Place the ID in the template and place it on the bed of the copier as directed on the template.

   3. Place the registration form face up in the bypass tray on the right side of the copier.

   4. Press the Start button.

6. Take the registration form, template and ID back to the Circulation Desk. Give the ID back to the patron and put the template back in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder.

7. Get a red plastic ID card and register as a new borrower, using the information on the form.         

8. Choose BCSPC1 as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node.

9. Payment can be made using a check (write out a receipt, using BCSPC1 on the ‘For’ line).  A guest card or the library card being issued can also be used (write BCSPC1 on the Diebold receipt).

10. If an expired record exists with a different patron status, overwrite it using the barcode on the red and white Special Borrower’s Card.  Choose BCSPC1 as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node. Verify the address.

Borrowing privileges may be renewed upon presentation of the same IDs originally presented. If a new card has to be issued there is a $50.00 replacement charge. 

Special Borrowers

Special Borrowers are patrons who have no affiliation with any USM institution or with any institution having reciprocal borrowing privileges with UMBC.  They can get borrowing privileges for one year at a cost of $50.00.  These privileges can be renewed at a cost of $50.00 for another year.

To register a Special Borrower:

1. Check to see if there is already a record in Aleph, searching by name.

2. If no record exists, give the patron a Special Borrower’s Registration form and ask them to fill it out.

3. Ask for a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).

4. Verify address with a secondary form of address verification (dated within the last 60 days) such as:

   1. Utility Bill (Telephone, Gas, Electric, Water or Cable)

   2. Credit Card Statement

   3. Bank Statement

5. NOTE - The Special Borrower’s Address must be in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania or Washington, D.C.).

6. Note the type of secondary form of address verification on the registration form and return it to the patron.

7. MAKE A COPY OF THE PICTURE ID in the space provided on the Special Borrower’s Registration Form

   1. Take the registration form, ID and template (located in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder) to the department copier.

   2. Place the ID in the template and place it on the bed of the copier as directed on the template.

   3. Place the registration form face up in the bypass tray on the right side of the copier.

   4. Press the Start button.

8. Take the registration form, template and ID back to the Circulation Desk. Give the ID back to the patron and put the template back in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder.

9. Get a red plastic ID card and register as a new borrower, using the information on the form.

10. Choose BCSPC1 as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node.

11. Payment can be made using a check (write out a receipt, using BCSPC1 on the ‘For’ line).  A guest card or the library card being issued can also be used (write BCSPC1 on the Diebold receipt).

12. Do not give the patron the card at the time of application.  Inform the patron that he/she may check out three items at this time and that their card will be mailed to them.

13. Place a Global block (02 - Verify personal information) on the patron’s account after they have checked out the three books or if they do not check out any books upon application.

14. Place a Global note on the account which reads “NEW SPBor - requires verification BC/your initials”.

15. Paper clip the completed Special Borrowers application and the assigned red and white card together and place them in the box labeled “Special Borrowers” on the Billing Manager’s desk.

16. The Billing Manager or designee will ensure that the information on the form is correct and complete, and will send a welcome email to the new patron from the circlib@lists.umbc.edu email address.

17. The Billing Manager or designee will mail the library card and welcome letter to the new Special Borrower at the address on the application as soon as possible.

18. If an expired record exists with a different patron status, overwrite it using the barcode on the red and white Special Borrower’s Card.  Choose BCSPC1 as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node. Verify the address.

Borrowing privileges may be renewed upon presentation of the red and white Special Borrower’s Card and a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport) and payment of the $50.00 fee. If a new card has to be issued before the expiration date there is a $15.00 replacement charge. 

Baltimore Area Library Consortium (BALC) Patrons

The Baltimore Area Library Consortium consists of several USMAI institutions (including UMBC)  and several non-USMAI institutions.  Faculty, staff and students from the BALC institutions can get borrowing privileges at each other’s schools for three months at no charge upon presentation of a current ID from their home school.

The non-USMAI institutions in BALC are:

• Baltimore Hebrew University

• Goucher College

• Loyola University/ Notre Dame

• Maryland Institute College of Art

• Stevenson University

To register a BALC patron:

1. Ask to see their school ID.

2. Check to see if there is already a record in Aleph, searching by name.

3. If no record exists, give the patron a Special Borrower’s Registration form and ask them to fill it out.

4. Ask for a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).

5. MAKE A COPY OF THE PICTURE ID in the space provided on the Special Borrower’s Registration Form.

   1. Take the registration form, ID and template (located in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder) to the department copier.

   2. Place the ID in the template and place it on the bed of the copier as directed on the template.

   3. Place the registration form face up in the bypass tray on the right side of the copier.

   4. Press the Start button.

6. Take the registration form, template and ID back to the Circulation Desk. Give the ID back to the patron and put the template back in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder.

7. Get a paper library card, apply a barcode (starting with 21429) to the back and register as a new borrower, using the information on the form.     

8. Go to the BA line in the Local Patron Information node and choose BALC student as the Patron Status.

9. Go to the Global Patron Information node and click on the Global Blocks and Notes tab.  Place a note on one of the Global Note lines indicating the patron’s home institution affiliation (ex. BALC patron - Goucher [your initials]/BC [date].

10. Fill in the paper library card using the information you input in Aleph, the Aleph Patron ID number (00000xxxxxxx) in the ID Number box and write BALC as the Privilege.       

11. If an expired record exists and the student doesn’t have their UMBC card, take one of the paper library cards and apply a barcode (starting with 21429).  Overwrite the record using the barcode on the paper library card.  Verify the address.

Borrowing privileges may be renewed at no charge upon presentation of current ID from the patron’s home institution and a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).

Reciprocal Borrowers      

UMBC has reciprocal borrowing arrangements with several non-USM institutions.  They are:

• Carroll Community College

• Chesapeake Biological Laboratories (CBL)

• Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) - all campuses

• McDaniel College

• Tai Sophia Institute

• University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute. 

Faculty, staff and students from these institutions can get borrowing privileges at each others school for one year at no charge upon presentation of a current ID from their home school. 

To register a Reciprocal Borrower:

1. Ask to see their school ID.

2. Check to see if there is already a record in Aleph, searching by name.

3. If no record exists, give the patron a Special Borrower’s Registration form and ask them to fill it out.

4. Ask for a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).

5. MAKE A COPY OF THE PICTURE ID in the space provided on the Special Borrower’s Registration Form.

   1. Take the registration form, ID and template (located in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder) to the department copier.

   2. Place the ID in the template and place it on the bed of the copier as directed on the template.

   3. Place the registration form face up in the bypass tray on the right side of the copier.

   4. Press the Start button.

6. Take the registration form, template and ID back to the Circulation Desk. Give the ID back to the patron and put the template back in the Special Borrower’s Registration Form folder.

7. Get a paper library card, apply a barcode (starting with 21429) to the back and register as a new borrower, using the information on the form.     

8. Choose BCRCP as Patron Status on the BC line in the Local Patron Information node.

9. Fill in the paper library card using the information you input in Aleph, the Aleph Patron ID number (000000xxxxxx) in the ID number box and write BCRCP as privilege.

10. If an expired  record exists and the student doesn’t have their UMBC card, take one of the paper library cards and apply a barcode (starting with 21429).  Overwrite the record using the barcode on the paper library card.  Verify the address.

Borrowing privileges may be renewed at no charge upon presentation of current ID from the patron’s home institution and a valid, non-expired, government-issued picture Identification (ex. Driver’s license, Maryland ID card, passport).