Library Use Policies

Rules and guidelines

General Library Use

The library strives to maintain an environment which is quiet and conducive to study. Please be considerate of others while using the library.

Food and open drink containers, such as pop cans, are not allowed in the library. However, drinks in covered containers are permitted in certain areas. Upon approval of the Library Director, light refreshments may be served at scheduled events in the Gammon Room. These refreshments may not be taken into other areas of the library.

General Principles

Melick Library seeks to provide an atmosphere conducive to the best use of its resources. To this effect, it strives to balance the rights of users to access all types of information resources with the rights of users and staff to work in a public setting free from disruptive sounds and visuals.

Melick Library does not monitor and has no control over information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content or the consequences of using the information. Not all information on the Internet is accurate, complete, or current. Users are responsible for determining if the information they access is acceptable, reliable, and suitable for their needs.

Patrons are cautioned that the Internet is not a secure medium and all transactions, files, and communications may be subject to unauthorized access by third parties.

Cell Phone Use

In order to provide an environment conducive to study and research and as a courtesy to other patrons, all cell phones should either be turned off or set to a non-audible ring prior to entering the library.

Cell phone conversations that take place inside the library should last no more than 2 minutes and be conducted in a low voice. If you need to have an extended conversation, please go outside the library to do so.

Users who fail to adhere to this policy will be asked to leave the library.

Computer Study Center

The computers in the Computer Study Center require an authorized log-in and are therefore only available to faculty, students, and staff. The general public cannot use these computers. Log-ins are not provided by Melick Library.

This is a computer lab and is equipped for word processing, email, Internet access, etc. Computer use for educational purposes has priority over recreational activities.

Computer Access - Public

Melick Library reserves the right to place reasonable restrictions on the use of computers consistent with the missions of the Library and the College and in accordance with laws or regulations of the United States and the State of Illinois.

Reference Computers Responsible Use

All individuals should use the library computers responsibly in pursuit of academic functions. In doing so, they must not infringe on the rights or privacy of others or the integrity of the computer system, and they must abide by Computer Services' college-wide policy on use of computers and networks.

Acceptable Uses of Reference Computers:

Unacceptable Uses of Reference Computers:

• Repeated use for non-academic or non-research purposes.

• Downloading or installing software to hard drives, including instant messaging programs.

• Deleting or modifying software, and/or alteration of any files or modifying the configuration of any library computer.

• Violations of the Library computer security or network integrity, including using the network to make unauthorized entry into other computational, informational, or communication services or resources.

• Destruction, damage, or modification of computer hardware or equipment, or the removal of any part of the Library computer workstations.

• Game playing, emailing, and chatting.

• Viewing of pornographic or sexually explicit materials may be grounds for sexual harassment charges by other users. Pop up pornography must be immediately suppressed or reported to library staff.

• Any illegal activity.

• Children under 14 may not use computers unless they are accompanied by a supervising adult. Melick Library assumes no responsibility for the use of the Internet by minors.

  Consequences:

• Any individual found to be using the computers to the distraction of another user or limiting access to the computer for the research purposes of another user, will be required to cease the activity unless they can demonstrate that they are completing an academic assignment for a class.

• Repeated violations by students, staff or faculty may be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the college's Acceptable Use Agreement and referred to the appropriate campus disciplinary body.

• Non-affiliated users who violate this policy will have their computer use privileges revoked.
  

eBook Policies

Melick Library has 20 REB 1100 eBook Reading Devices acquired through an Educate and Automate grant from the Illinois State Library. The eBooks will be used for class projects or as circulating library materials. eBooks will be shelved behind the Circulation Desk. eBook content is not currently entered into the library's online catalog.

1. The library will circulate a power adapter and a carrying case with each eBook device.
2. To extend battery life, users should use the power adapter whenever possible.
3. Borrowers are responsible for any damage incurred to the eBook while they have it checked out.
4. eBooks will circulate for the same period as regular books (three weeks) unless they are checked out to a class for course readings -- see item 7 below.
5. Content will be pre-loaded by the librarians.
6. New borrowers are asked to review the User's Guide which is loaded into all eBooks.
7. eBooks will be checked out to students of a class for the duration of the reading assignment as determined by the instructor.
8. Each device will be pre-loaded with content selected by the class instructor.

Additional content may be added to the eBooks by appointment with a librarian. Some content is available without charge because a book or document is within the public domain (no longer protected under copyright laws). The purchase cost (book content price) for any copyrighted materials placed on the eBooks by personal request will be charged to the borrower. Content is not transferrable and will stay on the device once the eBook is returned to the library.

Scanner

The scanner in Melick Library is tied to the Ariel Interlibrary Loan program. Because the Ariel program runs 24 hours per day, the system is not available for general use. A scanner is provided in Vennum Binkley computer lab for student and faculty use.

For the scanning of non-circulating library materials (journals, reference books that do not leave the library), it is necessary to set up an appointment with the reference librarian who will supervise scanning on a selective basis.

Gifts - Books

When gifts of books are donated to Melick Library, these gift books will be evaluated according to the criteria established in the library's Books and Materials Selection Policy:

Only those books that meet the criteria of the Selection Policy will be added to the library's collection. Textbooks are not acceptable additions to the collection because they become dated very quickly. The library will acknowledge all substantive gifts. If a gift book does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the library collection, the Library Director (and, if appropriate, the Development Officer or other campus personnel) will decide whether to return the gift or make some other disposition of it.

Gifts - Periodicals

Gifts of periodicals will be retained as a permanent part of the library's collection when they are a major addition of a new title that meets the criteria of the Periodicals Selection Policy, or they fill a gap in the library's existing periodical collection. Gift issues of periodicals that are not added to the collection will be either returned to the donor or offered to interested individuals on campus or at other institutions.

Please note: Librarians do not assess the value of gifts for income tax purposes. The library reserves the right to sell any items that are donated but are not added to the library's holdings. Any profit from the sale of donated items will be applied to the library budget.