Materials may be returned to a library service desk, a library book drop, or by mail. The following information applies to returning UT Libraries materials and Interlibrary Loan items borrowed through UT Libraries. It does not apply to Tarlton Law Library materials. The University of Texas Libraries and the Tarlton Law Library are separate entities, and Tarlton Law Library materials cannot be returned at UT Libraries.
Return to a library location:
- UT Libraries books originally checked out for 14 or more days may be returned to any UT Libraries check out desk or book drop.
- Limited loan items, Course Materials, equipment and maps need to be returned to the desk from which they were checked out.
- AV materials should only be returned to library checkout desks or in drops at PCL or the Doty Fine Arts Building specifically labeled for AV materials.
- All UT Libraries except the Architecture and Planning Library and the Life Science Library have after-hours book drops. Access to some after-hours book drops is restricted to current UT students, faculty and staff. Materials returned in after-hours book drops get checked in the next day that library’s check out desk is open. In order to avoid fines, materials need to be returned to a library check out desk before closing on the due date.
- Return receipts are available upon request.
Return to a library book drop:
Eligible materials may be returned at one of the UT Libraries external book drops. External book drops are freestanding or built into an exterior wall of some locations. Signs indicating that a book drop is closed may be posted during holiday periods. Restrictions on what materials are not eligible are posted on the book drops, but generally include:
- Course Materials
- Non-book items e.g., audio/video tapes and disks, microfiche, CD-Roms, maps, DVDs, equipment (AV materials may be returned in drops specifically labeled for them)
- Limited loan materials including journals
- Fragile materials
- Tarlton Law Library materials
There are three external book drops on the UT main campus and one on the Pickle Research Campus.
Main Campus:
| Building | Descriptive location of book drop |
|---|---|
| Perry-Castañeda Library (PCL) plaza | Next to the main library entrance facing the plaza at 21st Street and Speedway |
| Sid Richardson Hall (SRH) | In the exterior wall on the east side of the Benson Latin American Collection |
| E. William Doty Fine Arts Building (DFA) | Next to the west entrance to E. William Doty Fine Arts Building |
Pickle Research Campus:
| Building | Descriptive location of book drop |
|---|---|
| Building 176 | At the entrance of the driveway to the Library Storage Facility (LSF). From the Burnet Road entrance to the Pickle Research Campus: Go west on Read Granberry Trail. Turn left on Harry Ransom Trail. Turn left on Innovation Boulevard. Building 176 will be on the right hand side of the road. |
Book drops at the Perry-Castañeda Library are cleared at least once a day, 7 days a week.
Book drops at all other locations are cleared at least once a day, Monday through Friday. Materials returned after the book drop has been cleared for the day will not be checked in until the next time the book drop is emptied. Materials returned after the drop has been cleared on Friday will not be checked in until the following Monday.
Return by mail:
- UT Libraries materials may be returned by mail if a borrower is unable to visit a campus library or book drop. Items returned by mail are the borrower’s responsibility until they are received and checked in by Borrower Services.
- UT Libraries materials may NOT be returned via campus mail.
- If returning by mail, be aware that delivery to Borrower Services may take more time than expected. Mail comes to campus, then to the library, and then to Borrower Services. Use a form of mail that allows package tracking to verify delivery.
- Use one of the following addresses to return materials by mail:
US Mail:
Borrower Services Dept.
University of Texas Libraries
The University of Texas at Austin
101 E. 21st St. Stop S5460
Austin, TX 78712-1490
Expedited Mail Service (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.):
PCL Borrower Services
University of Texas Libraries
The University of Texas at Austin
101 E. 21st St., First Floor Dock
Austin, TX 78712
