The Colby College Libraries offer a wide array of services and materials for those affiliated with the College, as well as for community members. The information below details borrowing and renewing materials. Colby students, faculty and staff may also request materials from other libraries via our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service.
Colby-Affiliates
What do I need to check materials out of the library?
Your Colby Card
What can I check out?
- Books, Scores, Government Documents
- Seniors: 5 months, 1 renewal
- all others: 28 days, 4 renewals
- Periodicals, DVDs, Sound Recordings – 7 days, no renewal
- Audiobooks – 28 days, 1 renewal
How do I renew it?
If your item can be renewed, either bring it to the library service desk for renewal or log in your library account and renew it online. Please note you will need to enter the number on the back of your Colby Card, only the numbers ignoring the A & B. A2503100*******B.
How do I request non-Colby items?
Use our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Service
What do I need to check materials out of the library?
- Faculty/Staff – Your Colby Card
- Spouse/Partner – your Colby Card or Blue Paper Colby Library Card
What can I check out?
- Books, Scores, Government Documents – 1 year, 2 renewals
- Periodicals, DVDs, – 7 days, no renewals
- Sound Recordings – 120 days, 1 renewal
- Audiobooks – 28 days, 1 renewal
How do I renew it?
If your item can be renewed, you can either bring it to the library service desk for renewal or access your library account from the Colby Library homepage and renew it online. Please note you will need to enter the number of the back of your Colby Card, only the numbers between the A & B. Example: A2503100*******B.
How do I request non-Colby items?
Use our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Service
What do I need to check materials out of the library?
A library research assistant card, to find out how to get a research assistant card email [email protected].
What can a research assistant check out?
Books and other materials that you are borrowing on behalf of a faculty member, as part of their research project.
How do I renew it?
How long does an research assistant card last? It will expire on the last day of classes in May, or on August 15 for summer assistants.
How do I request non-Colby items?
Use our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Service
What do I need to check materials out of the library?
A courtesy card for alumni, which you can obtain with two forms of identification, one including a current mailing address, and an application available at our service desk.
What can I check out?
You can borrow six items at a time.
- Books, Government Documents – 28 days, 1 renewal
- Periodicals – 7 days
- Reference, DVDs, audio, and maps – in library use only
How do I renew it?
If your item can be renewed, bring it to the library service desk for renewal.
Can I request non-Colby items?
No, our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Service is limited to current students, faculty and staff. Contact your local library to see if they offer interlibrary loan.
What are “Qualified Colby Special Programs”?
Lancaster Course, Museum Docents, and the Atlantic Music Festival
What do I need to check materials out of the library?
A courtesy card, which you can obtain with two forms of identification, one including a current mailing address, and an application available at our service desk.
What can I check out?
You can borrow six items at a time.
- Books, Government Documents – 28 days, 1 renewal
- Periodicals – 7 days
- Reference, video/DVDs, audio, maps, and sound recordings – in library use only
How do I renew it?
If your item can be renewed, bring it to the library service desk for renewal.
Can I request non-Colby items?
No, our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Service is limited to current students, faculty and staff. Contact your local library to see if they offer interlibrary loan.
Non-Colby Borrowers
What do I need to check materials out of the library?
Year-round adult residents of Maine can obtain a courtesy card with two forms of identification, one including a current mailing address; and an application available at our service desk. Annual fee of $20.00.
What can I check out?
You can borrow one item at a time.
- Books, Government Documents – 28 days, 1 renewal
- Periodicals – 7 days
- Reference, video/DVDs, audio, maps, and sound recordings – in library use only
How do I renew it?
If your item can be renewed, bring it to the library service desk for renewal.
What do I need to check materials out of the library?
Waterville Public Library cardholders or others with Maine InfoNet-affiliated library cards may use their cards to borrow materials from the Colby Libraries. Students, faculty, and staff from Bates, and Bowdoin may also use their campus library card to borrow materials from Colby.
What can I check out?
Bates and Bowdoin users should have comparable access to Colby faculty, staff, and students.
Maine InfoNet card holders can borrow books for 28 days, with one 14 day renewal.
How do I renew it?
One renewal is allowed for books and government documents. If your item can be renewed, bring it to the library service desk for renewal.