General Circulation Items

Unless a hold has been placed on an item, renewals may be requested either in person at the circulation desk, by telephone at 202-274-4300 or online using the myLeagle link from the Library home page.

Reserve Materials and Convenience Items

Reserve materials and convenience items cannot be renewed online using myLeagle.  These items must be renewed in person at the circulation desk, by calling 202-274-4300, or by emailing circ@wcl.american.edu.  During busy periods of the semester, reserve materials and convenience items may not be renewed, so that all students have an opportunity to use these items. 

Interlibrary Loan

To request renewals for interlibrary loan material, please contact Interlibrary Loan staff at ill@wcl.american.edu. More information about interlibrary loan is available in the ILL tab. 

Overdue Material

Overdue items cannot be renewed online using myLeagle.  To renew overdue items, please visit the circulation desk, call 202-274-4300, or send an email to circ@wcl.american.edu.

Are My Books Overdue?

The library notifies borrowers of overdue items within one day (1st notice) and 7 days (2nd notice) of the due date. Items are billed after being overdue for 14 days. Overdue notices and bills are sent via email.

Click on myLeagle to access your patron record, see what material you have checked out and when it is due, renew items, and see whether you owe any fines and what titles you have placed on hold. Enter your name and your seven digit AU ID number and then click on the "Display My Library Record" button.

Grace Period

There is a 7 day grace period when non-reserve late items may be returned without owing any fines. Books returned after the grace period has ended will be subject to fines accrued from the date the book was due.

Late Fees & Replacement Charges

Late fines are charged to encourage fair and efficient use of library materials and to provide the best service to all library patrons. Overdue fines are 25¢ per day or, for reserve material, $1.00 per hour. The default cost of a lost or damaged book is $100.00 with a processing fee of $20.00. Fines and replacement charges must be paid by check or money order by the end of each semester or a university-wide stop will be placed on your account.

The Book I Need Is Checked Out to Another Patron

Except for reserve material, a hold may be placed on any item that is checked out to another patron by completing a Hold Request Form at the circulation desk or under the Forms tab above. Although placing a hold doesn't normally shorten the original loan period for the current borrower, that person will be prevented from renewing the item. Once the book is returned, the requestor is notified by phone or email that the item is being held for them at the circulation desk. Material on hold that is not picked up will be re-shelved.

Help! I Can't Find a Book

If the catalog indicates that an item is "available," but it cannot be found on the shelf, visit the circulation desk for help.  A staff member will be happy to help you look.  If the book still isn't found, you may complete a Missing Book Form at the circulation desk or under the Forms tab above. Library staff will search for the book for approximately four weeks. If the book is found, a circulation staff member will notify you.

WCL faculty members and current students with rush requests may obtain the material faster through interlibrary loan.

Return Materials to the Circulation Desk

Patrons may return borrowed items to the circulation desk during the hours that the desk is open. If the desk is closed, please use one of the book drops.

A book drop — 24/7 card-accessible by current WCL students, faculty, and staff — is now located in the Yuma Lobby. Please see this map for directions.

Please do not place loaner laptops or trash in the book drop.

If you need to make special arrangements to return material, please contact circ@wcl.american.edu

Mailing in Materials

Materials may also be returned to us by mail. Please post at:  

Pence Law Library - Circulation

Washington College of Law

4300 Nebraska Avenue NW 

Washington, D.C. 20016 

When the circulation desk is closed, patrons may leave books, book stands, headphones, and laptop chargers in either of two book drops on campus. One is located at the entrance to the library, and the other is located in the lobby of the Yuma building, near the entrance opposite the Capital Atrium.

Please do not place loaner laptops or trash in the book drop.