Circulation Policy
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Circulation Privileges and Loan Limits
The Research Library is primarily a noncirculating library. Materials must be used at designated reading spaces. Please refer to the Access Policy to learn about how to become a Reader in the Library.
Circulation privileges and loan limits are established according to patron status. When the limit is reached, the Library Catalog will block further loans until the borrower has returned materials.
Plaza Readers: Up to 50 items may be requested for use in the Plaza Reading Room. Materials may not be taken out of the library.
Stack Readers: Up to 100 items may be checked out and placed on designated reserve shelves on L2. Materials may not be taken out of the library.
Extended Readers: Up to 200 items may be checked out and placed on designated reserve shelves on L2 or in assigned carrels. Materials may not be taken out of the library.
Getty staff, In-Residence Getty Scholars and Fellows, Getty Interns: Up to 200 items may be checked out and kept in Getty Center offices and workstations. A limited number of books may be taken off campus (see Loan Periods).
Getty Docents and Getty Volunteers: Up to 100 items may be checked out and placed on designated reserve shelves on L2. Materials may not be taken out of the library.
Getty Departments Located outside the Research Institute: Up to 500 items may be checked out to the department.
Circulation privileges and loan limits are established according to patron status. When the limit is reached, the Library Catalog will block further loans until the borrower has returned materials.
Plaza Readers: Up to 50 items may be requested for use in the Plaza Reading Room. Materials may not be taken out of the library.
Stack Readers: Up to 100 items may be checked out and placed on designated reserve shelves on L2. Materials may not be taken out of the library.
Extended Readers: Up to 200 items may be checked out and placed on designated reserve shelves on L2 or in assigned carrels. Materials may not be taken out of the library.
Getty staff, In-Residence Getty Scholars and Fellows, Getty Interns: Up to 200 items may be checked out and kept in Getty Center offices and workstations. A limited number of books may be taken off campus (see Loan Periods).
Getty Docents and Getty Volunteers: Up to 100 items may be checked out and placed on designated reserve shelves on L2. Materials may not be taken out of the library.
Getty Departments Located outside the Research Institute: Up to 500 items may be checked out to the department.

Requesting Materials and Self-Checkout
Open Stack Books, Periodicals, and Auction Catalogs
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Requesting Items from Storage or the Library Annex
Items labeled 'Storage' or 'Library Annex' in the Library Catalog and other materials not found
in the open stacks must be requested online via the Library Catalog.
Storage and Library Annex Request and Pick-Up Schedule:
Requests entered: |
Are available: |
by 10:00 a.m. from 'Storage' | after 11:00 a.m. at your designated Getty Center hold location |
after 2:30 p.m. at the Villa | |
by 2:00 p.m. from 'Storage' | after 3:30 p.m. at your designated Getty Center hold location |
by 10:00 a.m. from the 'Library Annex' | after 2:30 p.m. at the Villa |
after 3:30 p.m. at your designated Getty Center hold location | |
by 10:00 a.m. from the Villa Library (Tuesday and Thursday only) |
after 3:30 p.m. at your designated Getty Center hold location |
Friday after 10:00 a.m. from the 'Library Annex' or 2:00 p.m. from 'Storage' | Monday after 11:00 a.m. at your designated Getty Center hold location Monday after 2:30 p.m. at the Villa |
Receiving Items Requested from Storage or the Library Annex:
Plaza Readers: Items will be delivered to the Plaza Reading Room one hour after each paging session. See schedule above.
Stack Readers, Extended Readers, Getty docents, and Getty volunteers: Items are held at the Circulation Desk for pick-up and then transferred to the L2 reserve shelves and carrels on Friday afternoon every week.
Getty Research Institute staff, scholars, and interns: Items are held at a designated location near the Circulation Desk.
Getty Museum staff: Items are available at designated drop-off points in the Museum, Monday–Friday, after 3:30 p.m.
Getty Conservation Institute/Foundation/Trust: Items are available at the GCI Information Center after 3:30 p.m.
Villa and South Building: Items will be delivered by a facilities courier once a day, arriving at 2:30 p.m.
For appointments and further access information, contact the GRI.
Stack Readers, Extended Readers, Getty docents, and Getty volunteers: Items are held at the Circulation Desk for pick-up and then transferred to the L2 reserve shelves and carrels on Friday afternoon every week.
Getty Research Institute staff, scholars, and interns: Items are held at a designated location near the Circulation Desk.
Getty Museum staff: Items are available at designated drop-off points in the Museum, Monday–Friday, after 3:30 p.m.
Getty Conservation Institute/Foundation/Trust: Items are available at the GCI Information Center after 3:30 p.m.
Villa and South Building: Items will be delivered by a facilities courier once a day, arriving at 2:30 p.m.
For appointments and further access information, contact the GRI.
Returning Items:
Return all items to the Circulation desk, the book drop on L3, or the labeled book truck in the Plaza Reading Room. Items that are not checked out may also be returned to labeled book trucks.

Loan Periods
All items may be renewed and are subject to recall. For most books, periodicals, and auction catalogs, loan periods vary according to user privileges.
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In addition, the following materials are subject to the loan periods and restrictions listed below.
Reference Books: Do not circulate except by permission of the reference staff, who will determine the loan terms.
Current Periodicals and Newspapers: Available in the periodicals reading room, but do not circulate beyond the reading room except for the purpose of photocopying.
Newly received books: Displayed weekly on L2 in the Recent Acquisitions area and may be checked out.
Scholars' Books on Reserve: 2 weeks.
Art in Fiction and Los Angeles collections: 1 month.
Audiovisual Materials: 1 month.
Microforms: Do not circulate beyond the multimedia area except by permission of the reference staff, who will determine the loan terms.
Special Collections materials: Must be consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room. Please refer to our Access Policy to learn about using Special Collections.
Photo Study Materials in Open Stacks: Must be consulted on the L3 level and do not circulate beyond the immediate reading areas.
Storage and Library Annex Materials: Circulate according to material type as listed above.
Reading Room Use Only: Selected materials from closed stacks may be restricted to the Plaza Reading Room because of their physical condition.
GCI Project Shelves and Museum Education Resource Center Materials: 2 weeks.
Reference Books: Do not circulate except by permission of the reference staff, who will determine the loan terms.
Current Periodicals and Newspapers: Available in the periodicals reading room, but do not circulate beyond the reading room except for the purpose of photocopying.
Newly received books: Displayed weekly on L2 in the Recent Acquisitions area and may be checked out.
Scholars' Books on Reserve: 2 weeks.
Art in Fiction and Los Angeles collections: 1 month.
Audiovisual Materials: 1 month.
Microforms: Do not circulate beyond the multimedia area except by permission of the reference staff, who will determine the loan terms.
Special Collections materials: Must be consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room. Please refer to our Access Policy to learn about using Special Collections.
Photo Study Materials in Open Stacks: Must be consulted on the L3 level and do not circulate beyond the immediate reading areas.
Storage and Library Annex Materials: Circulate according to material type as listed above.
Reading Room Use Only: Selected materials from closed stacks may be restricted to the Plaza Reading Room because of their physical condition.
GCI Project Shelves and Museum Education Resource Center Materials: 2 weeks.

Recalled Materials
Items checked out are subject to recall for use by another patron. Borrowers are required to comply with the rules governing recalled materials.
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Lost Materials
A recalled item is declared lost by circulation staff 3 weeks after it becomes overdue. The borrower will be assessed a $50.00 fine, a $10.00 processing fee, and the replacement cost of the book. Borrowing privileges will be restored upon receipt of payment or return of the book.
Should the lost book be returned within 6 months of the date that it was declared lost, the $50.00 fine and the replacement price will be refunded. The $10.00 processing fee is nonrefundable. Fines will be collected by the circulation staff.
If the lost item is checked out to a Getty department instead of to an individual, the department head will be held responsible for these materials and fines for lost items will be assessed against the department's budget.
Only the head of Circulation has the authority to clear patrons' accounts and to waive fines that are applied in error or where there are mitigating circumstances.
For appointments and reference inquiries, contact the GRI.
Should the lost book be returned within 6 months of the date that it was declared lost, the $50.00 fine and the replacement price will be refunded. The $10.00 processing fee is nonrefundable. Fines will be collected by the circulation staff.
If the lost item is checked out to a Getty department instead of to an individual, the department head will be held responsible for these materials and fines for lost items will be assessed against the department's budget.
Only the head of Circulation has the authority to clear patrons' accounts and to waive fines that are applied in error or where there are mitigating circumstances.
For appointments and reference inquiries, contact the GRI.
