Borrowing Materials from Decker Library: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to Decker Library's borrowing services. Whether you're a student, faculty member, or part of our extended community, here's everything you need to know about borrowing materials.

General Borrowing Information

  • Who Can Borrow: Present your MICARD, Current Baltimore Academic Libraries Consortium (BALC) card, Alumni card, or Johns Hopkins University ID card.
  • What You Can Borrow: Explore our Film & Video Collection, including movies and television on DVD or Blu-Ray.

Returning Items

  • After Hours: If the library is closed, use the drop box located at the main entrance of the library (first floor, Bunting Center) to return items.

Recall Process 

  • What Is a Recall?: A recall occurs when an item you have checked out is requested by another patron.
  • New Due Date: Recalled items are given a new due date, seven calendar days from when requested. You'll receive an email with the new due date.
  • Alternative Option: If you need material that's checked out but don't want to recall it, you can request it through interlibrary loan.

Need Assistance?

Questions about borrowing? Contact Access Services at 410-225-2272 or circ@mica.edu.

Borrowing Policies

  • Books: 50 for 6 weeks
  • Film & Video: 5  for 2 weeks

Items can be renewed 3 times. If more renewals are needed, items will need to be brought into the library to renew.

  • Books: 50 for 1 semester
  • Film & Video: 5  for 2 weeks

If a book is needed longer than the length of a semester, please contact Access Services at circ@mica.edu or stop by the library. 

If you need more time with film and video, items will need to be brought into the library to renew.

  • Books: 50 for 1 semester
  • Film & Video: 5  for 2 weeks

If a book is needed longer than the length of a semester, please contact Access Services at circ@mica.edu or stop by the library. 

If you need more time with film and video, items will need to be brought into the library to renew.

  • Books: 50 for 6 weks
  • Film & Video: 5  for 2 weeks

Items can be renewed 3 times. If more renewals are needed, items will need to be brought into the library to renew.

Alums are invited to continue enjoying Decker Library's resources. By purchasing an alum library card for $25 per year at the library service desk, alums can borrow up to 15 items, including a maximum of 5 from the Film & Video Collection.

Borrowing Details for Alums:

  • Books: Borrow up to 15 books for 6 weeks, with the option for 3 renewals.
  • Film and Video Collection: Borrow up to 5 items for 2 weeks, with the option for 3 renewals. If additional renewals are needed, items must be brought into the library.

On-Site Access for Alumni:

  • Alums can access Decker Library databases, eBooks, image assets, and streaming video on-site. However, due to contract restrictions, off-site viewing is not available.
  • Please note that alums are not eligible for interlibrary loans, BALC, or JHU borrowing privileges.

 

  • Books: 50 books total for 3 weeks
  • Film and Video: 5 items total for 1 week

Items can be renewed 3 times. If more renewals are needed, items will need to be brought into the library to renew.

  • Books: 20 for 35 days
  • Film & Video: Not available for Pre-College Students (sorry!)

Books cannot be renewed.

The Baltimore Academic Library Consortium (BALC) allows reciprocal borrowing privileges among member libraries. If you're a MICA student, you can access and borrow materials from other BALC libraries, and students from those institutions can do the same at Decker Library.

How It Works:

  • MICA Students Visiting BALC Libraries: Present your MICA ID to enter and borrow from any BALC library. Since each library has its own borrowing policies, please contact the specific library you plan to visit to learn about their rules.
  • BALC Students Visiting Decker Library: Students from other BALC institutions may borrow up to 5 books from Decker Library.

BALC Member Libraries:

  • Goucher College
  • Loyola/Notre Dame Library
  • McDaniel College
  • Morgan State University
  • Towson University
  • University of Baltimore
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  • Stevenson University

This collaboration among BALC libraries expands access to resources and supports academic pursuits across institutions. Feel free to explore the rich collections offered by these libraries.

Entry Requirements:

  • Picture ID
  • Proof of Covid vaccinations
  • Masks (optional, but encouraged)

Borrowing Privileges:

  • MICA community members are eligible for a community card to check out books.
  • A sticker on the back of the card enables login to public computers in the building.
  • If you have a pre-existing card, you can update your stickers at the public services desk or apply for new ones.
  • Hopkins also offers an online application for Borrowing Privileges, allowing them to prepare your card in advance.

Access to Databases and Computers:

  • Many databases are accessible on-site, though access is tightening due to IT security restrictions. Some databases may require a JHU University ID login (see FAQ for details).
  • Public computers have a two-hour time-out (resettable on the desktop).
  • You can print or save PDFs to a thumb drive. Note that printing may require purchasing a copy card.

Need Help?

  • If you encounter any issues, please ask for assistance at the Service Desk.

Unlock the World of Baltimore's Public Library!

Whether you're a student, faculty, or staff member at MICA, we invite you to explore the rich resources of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore City. And guess what? You don't even need to be a Baltimore City resident to apply!

Choose between a physical card or an eCard and dive into a world of books, digital media, community programs, and more. It's a treasure trove of knowledge and creativity waiting for you to discover.

Need help applying for a Pratt Library card? We're here for you! Just drop us an email at circ@mica.edu, and we'll guide you through the process.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with Baltimore's vibrant literary and cultural scene. Apply for your Enoch Pratt Free Library card today!