The Mastodon card is the official school ID for Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) and the Indiana University Fort Wayne (IUFW) students, faculty, and staff. It also serves as a library borrower's card. The card may be picked up at the Walb Union Campus Credentials and Transportation office, telephone 260-481-6611.
Indiana residents who are not part of the PFW or IUFW community are eligible to borrow items with a guest borrower's card. For more information, see the Visitor Information section below.
Only currently enrolled Purdue University Fort Wayne and Indiana University Fort Wayne students, staff, and faculty may check out equipment. There is no charge for the use of library equipment; however, fees may apply if equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Only headphones/headsets and turntables may be renewed.
Only easels and carts, and study rooms may be reserved.
The library has Windows and Mac laptops available for checkout at no charge, pending eligibility. Fees may apply if the equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged.
*Laptops may be limited to student use only and loan periods are subject to change at the library’s discretion
Laptops and all accessories should be returned to the Service Desk by handing them to a Service Desk employee. Equipment should never be left on a counter, at a table, or placed in a book drop as the patron is responsible for any damage or theft that occurs while still in their name. Returns must be made before the library closes. Patrons should be aware that library doors are locked 15 minutes prior to closing time and should plan accordingly.
Patrons who return laptops late twice in the same academic year will be blocked from borrowing a laptop for the remainder of the academic year.
Borrower will be billed the replacement cost if equipment is not returned. Total accrued fees of $100 or more will result in a block from borrowing library materials. Total accrued fees of $500 or more will result in a university-level hold.
Equipment is to be used according to the Purdue Fort Wayne Ethical Guidelines for Information Technology Users. Misuse or deliberate destruction of equipment should be reported to the Service Desk.
Patrons are responsible for the items they borrow, including their condition and timely return, and will be charged the replacement cost for unreturned library items. Patrons receive multiple notices regarding the due date of their items at their PFW email address, or for guest borrowers, the email address on file in their library account. Patrons will receive notice when an item is considered lost, at which time they will be charged for its replacement.
In addition to unreturned items, damaged items may incur a replacement or repair cost depending on the type and amount of damage.
Patrons may be blocked from borrowing library materials for unreturned items.
If a patron believes the library has made an error or has a special situation that they believe warrants elimination or reduction of fees owed, they may file an appeal.
Campus patrons have unlimited renewals for general collection materials unless the item is overdue or requested by another user. Visitor and Indiana resident cardholders may only renew general collection items 4 times. Some items are not renewable. Items can only be renewed online by using My Account or in person at the Service Desk.
Obtain your library guest card at the Campus Credentials and Transportation desk in the Walb Student Union. If the Credentials desk is closed, the Service Desk on the first floor of the library can issue a temporary card. Cards are valid for one year and may be renewed upon request by borrowers in good standing.
Patrons are responsible for:
Faculty, staff, and students from other Purdue campuses have the same borrowing privileges as PFW patrons with the exception of laptops.
Other guests are eligible to check out most books in the general circulating collection, and they are limited to having ten active loans.
Information on renewal of materials and returning items is available above.
By filling out the Request for Proxy Services form, a patron authorizes another patron to check out items on their account and accepts responsibility for those items. Proxies are used mainly for the convenience of faculty members so that graduate students or other assistants can pick up items from the library using their own Purdue Fort Wayne ID to charge it to the faculty member's account. Confirmation of the faculty member's approval will be required. Other requests for proxy access must be approved by the Library Management Team on an individual basis.
The library does not reveal the titles or nature of the materials checked out by any library patron. The library does not knowingly issue materials to anyone but the card owner. See the library's Privacy Policy for further information.