The chart below shows the loan periods and limits for Galveston College students, faculty, staff, GISD educators, faculty/staff alumni, community, and Texshare patrons. 

Materials may be renewed online through My Account in the online library catalog, in person at the Circulation Desk, or by phone at 409.944.1240. Two renewals are permitted on most print books, and one renewal is permitted for media items. Each renewal period will be the same length of checkout as the original loan period. Materials placed on hold by another patron CAN NOT be renewed. Overdue fines must be paid in full before an item can be renewed.

The library encourages all patrons to return library materials on time as a courtesy to others. Overdue materials hinder other patrons' access to library resources.

Patrons are responsible for returning library materials by the due date. Overdue notices are emailed to patrons' Whitecaps email accounts as a courtesy reminder. Overdue notices are sent seven days after an item is due.

Please note: If library materials are not returned by the end of the semester in which they are checked out, a hold will be placed on the student’s record in Colleague. A library holds prevent students from receiving grades, transcripts, and future registration.

The library charges fines for overdue materials:

• .10¢ per day for books
• $1.00 per day for non-print/media materials
• $5.00 per hour for Laptops
• $5.00 per day for Course Reserves
• $10.00 per day for Chromebooks

Unpaid library fines will result in a loss of borrowing privileges and a hold on the patron's record in Colleague. Library fines can be paid at the Business Office.

The Business Office accepts credit card payments. If paying by credit card, please check your library account online via the library catalog, or call the Circulation Desk at 409.944.1240 to confirm the amount of your fine. Upon successfully paying a fine, a library holds will be removed from Colleague.

Items overdue for more than one year are considered to be lost. Patrons are responsible for paying the replacement cost of the item plus a $5 processing fee, even if the item is returned to the library.

The library charges patrons for lost and damaged materials. Lost materials must be paid for at the Circulation Desk or Business Office. Patrons will be charged the replacement cost of the item plus a $5 processing fee. Library staff will assess damaged materials to determine if they can be repaired.

Galveston College faculty place materials on course reserve for students to use on a semester basis. All reserve items must adhere to the U.S. Copyright Laws and Standards Practices.

Checkout periods are determined by faculty. Most reserve books can only be used in the Library.

Physical course reserves are located at the Circulation Desk. Course Reserves can be viewed via the library catalog. For additional information about Course Reserves or to make a request to have an item placed on reserve, please visit the Textbook & Course Reserve page.

Laptops are available for in-library use or 24-hour checkout at the Circulation Desk. The fine for a laptop is $5 per hour over the allotted time period. Students are responsible for any damage to the laptop that occurs during checkout time. Upon 24-hour checkout, students are required to complete and sign the library laptop checkout agreement form. 

Chromebooks are available for 24-hour checkout at the Circulation Desk. Chromebooks are available to GC Career Connect students in Continuing Education ONLY. Students must self-identify as GC Career connect students and have a valid Galveston College ID to check out Chromebooks.

Students must return items with all parts. The student is responsible for paying the replacement cost for the part (see table below).  ​​​