Circulation Department


Circulation Department is responsible for the borrowing of materials, management of collection and other related services to users.


The following are the major functions of the Circulation Department. Circulation Desk Activities Check-out and check-in of materials, renewals, hold & recalls, book reserves, notifying and searching items, user assistance, registration of non-KFUPM members, issuing library clearance to departing users.

Shelving and Stacks Maintenance

The department is also responsible for the shelving materials and maintaining the collection in perfect order and shape.

Search, Notify and Recall

​Patrons are asked to fill out a Search Slip if an item is not located on the shelf. The staff searches the material in all possible locations and the requester is notified immediately about the availability of the item if found.

If a Hold is placed for an item, the system generates a recall notice which is mailed to the borrower. Upon return of the Hold item, the system automatically generates the notification notice which is also mailed to the requester.

Processing of Overdue/Fine Notices

Overdue/Fine/Recall notices are generated online and sent via e-mail to the borrowers. Record of all notices is properly maintained.

Special Projects

At the year-end and during summer, some of the following special projects are undertaken.

  • Shelf reading of the entire collection
  • A physical inventory of the selected collection
  • Shifting of materials from filled stacks to create space for incoming materials.
  • As periodicals for the new calendar year are received, back issues are removed and shifted to the relevant locations.
  • Identifying and withdrawing books from stacks for weeding.