What is Summit?

Summit is a shared web-based library catalog of 35 member colleges and universities in Washington and Oregon. Through Summit you have access to more than 27 million books, DVDs, videotapes, sound recordings, government documents and more.

With a single search you can view items from all institutions in the Orbis Cascade Alliance. Eligible patrons may select and borrow materials directly through the Summit catalog and have materials delivered to the Seattle University campus for pick-up.

Who is eligible to use Summit?

Anyone may search the web-based catalog, but only current Seattle University students, faculty and staff may request items. You must have a current library account at Seattle University for your request to be accepted.

Where do I find the Summit catalog?

Complete a search in the Library catalog and select the “Repeat this Search in Summit” button from the results display. A link to Summit is also available on the Lemieux Library web site: http://www.seattleu.edu/lemlib and the SU Law Library catalog: http://www.law.seattleu.edu/library/research/catalog.

Ask a reference librarian for assistance in getting started or with help refining your search: Lemieux Library (206) 296-6230, libref@seattleu.edu; SU Law Library (206) 398-4225, lawreference@seattleu.edu

How do I find my university ID #?

To borrow materials through Summit and retrieve them, all Seattle University students, faculty and staff will need their seven digit university ID number preceded by two zeros (e.g. 001234567). For faculty and staff, the seven digit university ID number is available on your check stub. If cannot find your check stub, you may come to the library with photo ID to ask for your ID number. Students will see this number when accessing SU Online. Students may also contact the Office of the Registrar: (206) 296-2000, Choose "Option 3" or registrar@seattleu.edu. If you have questions about retrieving your university ID #, please contact either the Lemieux Library at (206) 296-6233 (libcirc@seattleu.edu) or the SU Law Library at (206) 398-4221.

How soon will I receive a Summit item?

Items arrive at the Library and are available for check-out within 2-3 business days.

How do I know when a Summit item has arrived?

You will receive an e-mail delivered to your Seattle University account when the item arrives. The status of Summit requests is also listed in Your Library Account, which you can view through the Library catalog.

Where do I pick up Summit items?

On the Seattle University campus, Lemieux Library patrons can pick up Summit items at the Lemieux Circulation desk; Law patrons can pick-up Summit items at the Law Library Circulation desk.

The Alliance also offers a "Pick Up Anywhere" service that allows you to designate any Orbis Cascade Alliance member institution as your pick-up location when you make a Summit request. Be sure you have your Seattle University ID card AND your University ID number with you when you go to pick up an item.

What is the Summit loan period?

Books check out for 21 days. Some items, such as CDs, check out for 3 days.

May I renew a Summit item?

You may renew most Summit items once unless another patron has requested the item or the owning institution needs it returned.

How do I renew a Summit item?

In the Library catalog, log into Your Library Account and click on "Items Currently Checked Out." Then select the items you wish to renew and click Submit.

Is there a limit on the number of items I may borrow from Summit?

You are limited to 200 active requests at one time—the total of items currently checked out or requested.

Where do I return Summit items?

You may return Summit items to the Lemieux Library Circulation desk, Law Library Circulation desk, or to any Orbis Cascade Alliance member library, no matter where you had it delivered for pick up.

May I borrow journal articles through Summit?

No, member institutions do not lend journals or journal articles. Borrow journal articles through our Interlibrary Loan service.

May I check out materials in-person from a Member Institution of Orbis Cascade Alliance?

Yes, the Orbis Cascade Alliance offers a Visiting Patron service. You will need your Seattle University ID card AND your seven-digit University ID number (for faculty, this number is located on your check stub), preceded by two zeros. The lending institution cannot help you if you do not have your card or do not know your University ID number. In addition, any blocks (overdue or unreturned items, unpaid fines) at your home library may prevent a successful Summit transaction. Some materials may not circulate via Summit but are available for checkout if you visit a Member Institution in person.

Is there a charge for borrowing an item through Summit?

There is no charge to Seattle University patrons for borrowing items, if they are returned on time and in good condition. Lemieux Library and the Law Library pay all costs of membership in the Alliance, all costs of the courier service, and absorb all processing costs by using existing library staff.

Am I charged a fine if I return a Summit item late?

Yes. This ground-breaking program constitutes a new model of resource-sharing service to the campus community. Shared access must be matched by shared responsibility and accountability, by the highest order of academic collegiality and integrity. Each borrower must honor the due date for items owned and lent by another Summit library. In the event that an SU borrower of any category – student, faculty, or staff – fails to return a Summit item on time (with a 3-day grace period), he/she will be assessed the standard Alliance fine of $0.50/item/day for the first 10 days, then $1.00/item/day for subsequent days. In the event that a borrower allows total fines to reach $10, he/she will be blocked from further use of the Summit system until the account has been resolved.

What am I charged if I lose an item?

Summit charges are significantly higher than those assessed by Lemieux Library and SU Law Library and are, under consortial policy, not negotiable. Replacement costs and fees total a minimum of $90.

Where do I get assistance with Summit Borrowing Requests?

Contact the staff at the Circulation Desk: Lemieux Library (206) 296-6233, libcirc@seattleu.edu; SU Law Library (206) 398-4221.

Member Institutions of the Orbis Cascade Alliance:

Central Oregon Community College
Central Washington University
Chemeketa Community College
Clark College
Eastern Oregon University
Eastern Washington University
George Fox University
Lane Community College
Lewis & Clark College
Linfield College
Marylhurst University
Mt. Hood Community College
Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon State University
Pacific University
Portland Community College
Portland State University
Reed College
Saint Martin's University
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle University
Southern Oregon University
The Evergreen State College
University of Oregon
University of Portland
University of Puget Sound
University of Washington
Walla Walla University
Warner Pacific College
Washington State University
Western Oregon University
Western Washington University
Whitman College
Willamette University