WRLC: Washington Research Library Consortium  

The member libraries of the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) share their collections to increase student and faculty access to university libraries' research resources in the DC area.  Collectively, WRLC member libraries hold more than 5 million volumes as well as serials, e-journals, e-books, and microforms, plus special and digitized collections.  ALADIN is the shared catalog of the WRLC.

WRLC Member Libraries:

• American University
• Catholic University
• Gallaudet University
• Georgetown University
• George Mason University
• George Washington University
• Marymount University
• University of the District of Columbia

Direct Borrowing

Current Mason faculty, staff and students are eligible to directly check out circulating materials from any WRLC Library, with some restrictions.  Use the ALADIN catalog to locate an item you need to borrow, go to that specific library with your valid Mason ID card, and borrow the item immediately.  Borrowed items can be returned at any WRLC Library.

Book/Article Delivery: Consortium Loan Service (CLS)

Through the Consortium Loan Service (CLS), eligible borrowers may make an online request for books and copies of journal articles from WRLC libraries. CLS requests are made online through the ALADIN catalog.   Available requested items are generally delivered within 2-3 business days to the Mason Library of your choice.

Step by step instructions on how to use the Consortium Loan Service (CLS).

WRLC Loan Periods:

• Undergraduates:  4 weeks
• Graduate Students:  6 weeks
• Faculty/Staff:  3 fixed due dates per year (January 31, May 31, September 30)

WRLC Fines: All borrowers, including faculty and staff, are financially responsible for WRLC materials checked out on their Mason ID.  Overdue fines and replacement charges for lost books apply to all WRLC borrowers, including faculty and staff.

Fines:  Academic records will be placed on hold for WRLC borrowers who have accrued fines of $25.00 OR who have more than 5 overdue books.

• Daily fine:  $0.25 per day per book
• Maximum fine:  $10.00 per book

Lost Books: Books that are 40 days overdue are automatically declared lost, and charges are automatically added to the patron's library account. If a book that was declared lost is later returned, the item replacement and  processing fees are removed from the account, but overdue fines will still be charged. Lost book fines and fees are:

• Item replacement fee:  $57.00
• Processing fee:  $30.00
• Maximum overdue fine:  $10.00

Recalled Books: WRLC libraries may recall any item that is checked out to a patron. Patrons must return the item to a WRLC library by the adjusted due date to avoid a fine. Recalled items are subject to individual library recall policies.

• Recall fine:  $5.00 per day per book
• Maximum fine:  $25.00 per book

Many WRLC library materials circulate through direct borrowing or the Consortium Loan Service (CLS).  Items located in WRLC storage may be requested through CLS.  Government documents as well as theses and dissertations may be loaned based on the individual library's borrowing policies. 

>Items not loaned from any WRLC member library include:

• Articles of more than 50 pages
• Reserve materials
• Media items (videos, CDs, DVDs, etc)
• Reference materials
• Computer software
• Microforms
• Law Library materials
• Medical Library materials
• Materials "in process" or "on order"
• Gallaudet University: Model School & Leisure Collections
• Special Collections and/or Archival materials