1. Renewing Library Materials
Instructions for Renewing Materials Online through Minerva, the
University at Albany Libraries’ Online Catalog
Circulation and Media Services Department
2. Renewing Library Materials
Renewals allow library patrons to extend the loan periods on materials
they have checked out from the library. Library materials can be
renewed using the renewal option available through Minerva, the
University Libraries’ online catalog, from any computer with an
internet connection. Renewing materials in a timely manner helps
library patrons avoid overdue fines!
This tutorial provides information about:
• loan periods and renewal limits;
• step-by-step instructions for renewing materials online;
• tips for troubleshooting renewal problems.
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
3. Loan Periods and Renewal Limits
Loan periods and renewal limits vary by patron type:
• Undergraduates receive 30-day loan periods for books with eleven renewals;
• Master’s students receive 90-day loan periods for books with seven renewals;
• Ph.D. students have fixed due dates of January 31, May 31, and September 30 with eight
renewals;
• Faculty and staff have a fixed due date of April 30 with three renewals;
• Courtesy borrowers receive 30-day loan periods with two renewals.
Media and equipment receive shorter loan periods.
The University Libraries send courtesy notices via email to remind patrons of approaching
due dates and inform patrons when materials are recalled—check your email regularly for
email messages from the Libraries.
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
4. Instructions for Renewing Materials Online
Point your web browser to the
Libraries’ home page
(http://library.albany.edu), and
select the link for My Minerva
(renew books, find due dates,
and more).
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
5. Instructions for Renewing Materials Online
Use the My Minerva Sign-in, located in the middle of the
page, to access your library account and renew materials.
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
6. Instructions for Renewing Materials Online
Students, faculty, and staff Select the Log On button after
sign in with your Net ID (first entering your sign-in information.
and last initials, followed by six
numbers), and your Unix
cluster password (this is the
password used for email and
Blackboard).
Courtesy Borrowers sign in
by entering the barcode printed
on your library card (begins
with 29089) in the Net ID box,
and your library PIN (contact
the circulation department at
442-3569 to obtain a PIN).
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
7. Instructions for Renewing Materials Online
To access a list of items currently
checked out and renew materials,
select Loans in the Activities
section of your account (click the
number to the right of Loans).
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
8. Instructions for Renewing Materials Online
From the loan screen, you can renew all of the items checked out to you
or renew individual items checked out to you.
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
9. Instructions for Renewing Materials Online
To renew all of the materials checked out to you, Select the Renew All option.
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
10. Instructions for Renewing Materials Online
To renew individual items,
select the item you want to
renew from the loan screen—
this will retrieve the loan
details for the item.
Select the “Renew” button from the loan
details screen to renew the item.
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
11. Instructions for Renewing Materials Online
After renewing library
materials, check over the due
dates in your loan list to
make sure your items were
renewed. Patrons are
responsible for ensuring
library materials have been
renewed.
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
12. Troubleshooting Online Renewal Problems
The following conditions will block renewals:
• Patron owes library fines in excess of $10 ($1 for courtesy borrowers)
• Borrowing privileges have expired
• Item has reached the number of renewals allowed (renewal limits vary—checkloan policy)
• Item was requested for hold/recall by another patron
• Item is on reserve
• Item is non-circulating and was loaned by special arrangement
• Item was borrowed through Interlibrary Loan—renew in ILLiad
Patrons are responsible for returning items to the Libraries before the due date when renewals
are blocked—overdue fines will be applied if non-renewable items are not returned by the
date they are due.
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
13. Troubleshooting Online Renewal Problems
Faculty, staff, and Ph.D. students have fixed due dates and cannot renew materials until the
first day of the month in which the materials are due.
If materials are not able to be renewed using the “Renew All” feature, materials may need
to be renewed individually.
If you cannot sign on to your Minerva account, you may need to reset your Unix cluster
password. See http://library.albany.edu/services/technology/netids for information on
resetting your Unix cluster password.
Contact the Circulation Department at 442-3569 for additional assistance.
Circulation and Media Services Department, University at Albany Libraries, SUNY
