Borrowing Information

HSLS Borrowing Privileges

Most resources of the Health Sciences Library System are available for loan to:

  • University of Pittsburgh students, staff, and faculty
  • UPMC residents and fellows
  • CMU students, staff and faculty

In order to borrow materials

  • Pitt patrons must present their valid University ID
  • UPMC residents and fellow must present their valid library card (library cards are available at the Falk Library Main Desk)
  • CMU Affiliates must present valid CMU ID

Loan periods

Item Source
Books 3 weeks (may be renewed)
DVDs 1 week (1 renewal)
Reserve Materials 2 hours (or as specified by the instructor)
Technology Equipment 4 hours (may be renewed)

Certain materials may have different loan periods. Please check at the Main Desk.  Items can be found by searching PittCat or with assistance from staff the Main Desk.

Renew Materials

Renew online using PittCat

  1. Connect to PittCat
  2. Click on Sign In
  3. Pitt student/staff/faculty select: “Your Pitt Account”. Special Borrower card holders select: “Your Special Borrower Account
  4. Enter your University Computing Account (email) username and password. HSLS Special Borrowers Card holders, sign in using your preferred social media profile.
  5. Click on your profile menu and view “My loans.
  6. Renew all or renew selected items.
  7. Verify renewal dates
  8. You may also request to have books renewed by presenting your Pitt ID or HSLS Special Borrowers Card at Falk Library of the Health Sciences.
  9. If you are blocked from renewing materials, want to verify your renewals, or have questions about online renewals please email hslscirc@pitt.edu.

Technology Equipment Borrowing Limits

  • Technology Equipment borrowing is available to Pitt users only with valid Pitt ID.
  • Borrowed equipment may be used outside Falk Library.
  • Borrowing period for equipment is 4 hours.
  • Renew equipment through your Pitt account in PittCat. Most equipment can be renewed for an additional 4 hours.
  • Special restrictions apply to light therapy boxes, which can be borrowed for 1.5 hours only and cannot be renewed.
  • All equipment must be returned before the library closes.

Overdue books

Books that are overdue more than 28 days will be assessed a $45 processing fee when the book is returned. The fee can be paid by cash, check, or Panther Funds.

Request an in use item

  • Complete the Item in Use Request Form to request an item that is checked out.
  • Email notification sent when the item is available
  • Request in use materials at Falk Library Main Desk or by phone (412-648-8866). 

Falk Library does not support item recalls. To recall an item from a University Library System (ULS) collection, see University Library System: Recall (for things that are CHECKED OUT).

Hold Items for Pickup

You may request to have materials from HSLS collections held for you to pick up at the Falk Library Main Desk by completing the Item on Shelf Request Form. You may also request this service by calling the Main Desk at Falk Library, 412-648-8866, during regular library hours.

Borrow a Book that is in PITTCat but not in HSLS (Pitt only)

  • Check PITTCat to determine if your book is located at a Pitt Library other than Falk Library.
  • Use HSLS Document Delivery service
  • Email notification and delivered to Falk Library

Obtain an item that PITTCat says is in “Closed Stacks” or “Rare Books”?

Pittcat Access for Online Students

Students who are not on campus, but are online, will need to apply for a University of Pittsburgh ID. To do this, go to pc.pitt.edu/panther-card, click on “Photo Upload,” and follow the instructions. You will receive access within 24 hours.

If you have any questions call (412) 648-8866 or email the library at hslscirc@pitt.edu.

Suspension of Library Privileges

HSLS reserves the right to refuse services to any patrons with a certain amount of outstanding fines, fees, or materials at any University of Pittsburgh library, or to any patron whose privileges have been suspended for cause by library or University administration.