Nelson Poynter Memorial Library has developed a procedure to facilitate the use of its resources by non-USF researchers. By contract, many of our services are available only to USF faculty, staff, and students; however, the services listed below may be available to visiting scholars.
Visiting scholars should obtain a letter of introduction from the College Dean (or College accountable officer) who is sponsoring their visit. The letter should include the proposed term of the visit and a guarantee of financial responsibility for fines, lost book fees, or other library obligations of the visiting faculty member. A Courtesy USF ID is only available for visiting scholars who are provided with a USF NETID, U# and included in GEMS database. The visiting scholar should then present their dept letter and courtesy USF ID to the service desk for setup of library account.
Circulation privileges
Presentation of USF courtesy card entitles the visitor to check out twenty books at a time (no media). One renewal is permitted except for Recreational Reading and Juvenile books. Overdue books incur a fine of fifty cents per day per overdue item to a maximum of $10.00 per item borrowed. Borrowing privileges are blocked until all fines are paid. If a patron loses an item, it should be reported to the Circulation Desk as soon as possible. Patrons are liable for lost book replacement charges and maximum overdue fines after book is declared lost by Circulation system. Two overdue notices are sent to the patron. If the patron does not return the item on its due date, it progresses to a lost status. The patron is then billed a replacement cost for the book as well as any accrued fine. All bills turned over to Accounts Receivable must be paid at the Cashier’s Office. The library staff should be informed when visiting faculty member's appointment has ended so circulation desk staff can verify books have been returned and fines are cleared. If the visiting scholar does not clear all fines associated with their library account, the library will submit an invoice to the sponsoring department.
Library databases
Contractual obligations do not allow remote access to the library’s online resources by non-USF St. Petersburg campus researchers. However, many researchers may use the library’s online resources in the library. Please refer to the Public Use of Computing Resources Guide in the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library guidelines for additional information
Please note: Affiliate walk up station is now available, located in our new renovated space on the 1st floor!
Wireless access
Laptop access to the library network within the building may be arranged by following the steps outlined at the USF IT Guest Wireless Access Page .
Printing and copying
Color and black-and-white printing and copying is available at a per page cost. Bullbucks print service must be used through a USF Guest Printing Card, and funding of this card is through Credit at a $5 minimum. See the Student Technology Center for details and to get an USF Guest Printing Card.
Interlibrary Loan
The library can extend Interlibrary loan services to visiting faculty who present their USF courtesy card when loaning materials at the Service Desk. Please note this service is only available for (i.e., persons engaged as professors, research scholars or specialists in the USF J-1 program) on condition that the visiting scholar’s department faculty sponsors such use).