Regenstein Lost and Found Information

If you find a lost item in a library, please bring it as soon as you can to the circulation desk.

If you lose an item in the library, check with the circulation department at circservices@lib.uchicago.edu or call 773-702-8701. Exceptions apply to the following materials:

Books: All books, including non-library books, are forwarded to the Stacks Department. Call 773-702-8452 or email stacks@lib.uchicago.edu to reclaim lost books. Books from other libraries will be forwarded to their respective libraries via Interlibrary Loan.
ID Cards: University of Chicago ID cards may be kept at the circulation desk for a few hours. Every morning they are forwarded to the ID and Privileges Office in the glass room by the Regenstein Library entrance gate. Once received by the ID and Privileges Office, cards will be temporarily deactivated for your protection. You can contact the ID & Privileges Office at ipo@uchicago.edu or 773-702-8782.
Copy Cards: Lost copy cards may be kept for a few hours at the circulation desk, after which they are turned in to the Copico service desk. You are strongly encouraged to write your name on them; the library receives many blank cards and without a name it may not be possible to return the same card you lost.

Tips for recovering lost items:

Claim your item as soon as possible. This will minimize the chance that someone else will claim it, or that the library will lose it. The lost & found section is kept under reasonable security but the library cannot be held responsible for the items held.
If your item is not in lost & found, check back every so often. Speak with a circulation supervisor if you have any questions. Feel free to call the library at 773-702-8701 or email circservices@lib.uchicago.edu.
Make sure that the library has your e-mail address. We may try to contact you. Notification will not be made by mail or telephone.
Record your name and e-mail on all important papers, books, laptops, cell phones, iPods, etc. This will make it much easier to notify you and return the item.
PLEASE DO NOT leave any of your possessions unattended in the library. This goes for papers, clothing, and glasses as well as computers, appliances, books, and more obvious targets of theft. The service desks at the library receive frequent reports of stolen items in all categories.

The library will keep lost items until the end of the quarter. Keep in mind that not all lost items get turned in. Items lost outside the library rarely make their way to the library's lost & found. Library employees cannot conduct searches for lost items, except in extreme circumstances as time permits.

Items left on study tables or carrels:

Study tables and carrels are intended for short-term use and should not be used to store library material or personal items. Any items left unattended will be removed by library staff. Library material will be checked in and reshelved. All personal items will be turned in to Lost and Found and dealt with according to the procedures outlined above.

If you find you need to store either checked-out library material or personal items, you may rent a locker through the Library's Privileges Office. Faculty and other qualifying users may also choose to rent a faculty study.