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Handbook for Patrons

Coverage of our policies, procedures, and general information about the Hugh & Hazel Darling Library

ACL Reciprocal Borrowing Program

ACL Reciprocal Borrowing Program

Hope participates in the Association of Christian Librarians Reciprocal Borrowing Program. 

This is a voluntary program whereby participating ACL institutions extend in-person borrowing privileges to authorized patrons from other ACL institutions. Patrons, including faculty, students, and staff, have reciprocal access to the physical collections of participating Christian institutions.

This access is especially valuable for online students who may not live near their home institution.

Participating Institutions

You can find a current list of participating institutions on the ACL website.

Who is eligible?

Hope students, staff, and faculty are eligible to use this service.

How does it work?

  • Find a participating ACL member library near you.
  • Show proof of current enrollment at Hope International University. (The lending library will contact the HIU library to verify that you are in good standing with us.)
  • Register to check books out from that library based on their local lending policies.​
  • Return books to the lending library on time. (Pay any overdue fines or fees to them.)

GLOSSARY OF TERMS:

  • Home Library = The library of the institution you attend. (Darling Library of Hope International University)
  • Reciprocal Borrowing Program = An agreement between participating institutions to lend books to each other's eligible patrons.
  • Lending Library = The library that owns and lends out books.
  • Participating Libraries = Libraries that have agreed to participate in a particular agreement.
  • Patrons = Registered members, authorized users, or regular "customers" of a library.