Proxy Accounts for Faculty

What is a proxy card?

A proxy card is issued to a secretary, research assistant, student assistant or other person designated by MU faculty and staff to check out library materials for them. All proxy persons must be currently affiliated with MU. All materials checked out on a proxy card are the responsibility of the faculty or staff member.

How can one be obtained?

• Permission cards are available at the Circulation Desk in Ellis Library and may be available at the Circulation Desks at the branch libraries.
• Each card must be filled out and signed by the MU faculty or staff member for whom the proxy person is working.
• The application card must be returned to the Ellis Library Circulation Desk.
• The faculty member will be notified via email once the card is ready for pickup.
• If the faculty member's record is blocked because of overdue recalled items or for other reasons, a proxy card cannot be issued until the block has been removed.
• The proxy borrower will need to show his/her own MU ID card to obtain the proxy card and each time the proxy card is used. Proxy cards are not transferable.

How long is the proxy card valid?

• The MU faculty member designates the expiration date; however, proxy cards will not be issued for less than one month or more than one year.
• The expiration date is written on the proxy card.
• Both the proxy cardholder and the faculty member should be aware of the expiration date and make appropriate arrangements for a new card when that date is reached.
• Only one proxy borrower can be added to each permission card.

How many proxy cards may one faculty member have?

• There is no limit on the number of proxies that each faculty may have, but a low number is encouraged.
• A proxy card cannot be deactivated as long as any library materials are checked out on that card.
• Faculty should notify the Ellis Library Circulation Department if a proxy borrower leaves before the card assigned to that person expires.
• Faculty may ask that proxy privileges be stopped for any proxy at any time by contacting the Ellis Library Circulation Desk by letter or in person.
• Telephone requests will generally not be honored since it is impossible to identify the caller.
  

How do I renew books checked out with a proxy card? (Your pawprint will not work for proxies)
Bring them to the circulation desk or renew them online. To renew a book online, following these instructions:

1. Select the option: MY LIBRARY ACCOUNT
2. Enter your name.
3. Enter your EMPL ID preceded by a zero and followed by the letter c (for Columbia). 
4. If you have more than one proxy borrower, you will need to check with Ellis Circulation in person about which proxy borrower number is on each account. You will then add to your EMPL ID following the letter c the letter p followed by the number of the proxy (e.g. p1, p2, p3, etc.)
5. Connect to the Library Catalog now to renew a book.
6. Books and government documents may be renewed up to two times. Inquire at the Ellis Circulation Desk if further renewals are needed.