Library Policy Manual

Library Policy Manual Mission Statement Circulation Policy Authorized Borrowers Loan Periods, Renewals, and Holds Loan Periods for Students Loan Periods for Faculty and Staff Students, Faculty and Staff Overdue Fines Overdue Fines: Reserve items  Patron Privacy Patron Conduct Conduct and Etiquette Collection Development Policy Purpose Intellectual Freedom Copyright Budget Responsibility for Collection Development Selection Guidelines Policies by Format of Material Laptop Computers Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Services LWTC Email Accounts Conference and Study Room Policy Library Study Room Facilities & Room Capacity Procedures for Reservations   Library Reserves

 

Mission Statement

The Library’s mission is to develop information literacy skills, deliver high quality information resources and customer service.

Library Goals

• Provide assistance in the search and retrieval of information from a variety of resources both print and electronic

• Provide information resource and information technology consulting service points for in person and off-campus service.

• Provide an expertise base which is broadened by collaborating with other college groups and facilities to identify resources and expertise which will compliment the activities of the library.

• Ensure high level of service on the part of all staff.

• Provide a variety of easily identified and conveniently located spaces and workstations that support different scholarly needs.

  • Provide “technology ready” group study spaces

  • Provide spaces for laptop users.

  • Provide “technology ready”, multimedia presentation practice space.

  • Provide printing, downloading, and file transfer capabilities.

• Provide the information resources, technologies, and expert staff to support the Lake Washington Technical College’s teaching and learning activities.

• Provide information resources to support curriculum and research in a multitude of formats.

• Provide print and electronic collections that serve the needs of on-site and off-campus users for immediate access.

 

Circulation Policy

 

• Anyone, regardless of LWTC affiliation, is welcome to use materials in the library.

 

 

Authorized Borrowers

 

Borrowing privileges are extended to students and employees of LWTC [including distance learners], members of Friends of the Library, members of Lake Washington College Foundation, and/or all Washington state community and technical college libraries. Some restrictions may apply to each category.

 

Definitions of authorized borrowers

 

• Currently registered student of LWTC as identified by a current student identification card or registration. Identification cards are not transferable.

• Current or retired employees of LWTC

• Current member of Friends of the Library Committee

• Current member of Lake Washington College Foundation

• All Washington state community and technical college libraries

 

Patrons who do not fall into any of the authorized borrower categories are encouraged to arrange interlibrary loan through their public library.

 

Loan Periods, Renewals, and Holds

 

Loan Periods for Students

Reference - Library use only

Reserve - Varies: Borrowing periods are arranged by the instructor

Books - Duration of the current quarter

Magazines, journals, and newspapers - Library use only

Videos and DVDs - Library use only

Laptop Computers - Two hour, library use only with current, valid LWTC I.D card.

DVD's- One week checkout--can be renewed two times

 

• Late fees are charged for overdue laptop computer and overdue DVD's
• Students with overdue items or late fees will have a HOLD placed on their transcript and will be blocked from conducting business at Registration, including receiving transcripts or financial aid until materials are returned or fees are paid.

 

Loan Periods for Faculty and Staff

Reference - Library use only

Reserve - Varies: Borrowing periods are arranged by the instructor.

Books - Duration of current quarter; 10 items per quarter, additional items available by arrangement.

Magazines, Journals, and Newspapers - By arrangement only

Videos and DVDs -Two Weeks

Laptop Computers - Two hour, library use only with current, valid Washington State photo I.D.

 

Borrowing privileges will be denied until late materials are returned.

 

Students, Faculty and Staff

Non-returned items:

• Letters outlining replacement costs and processing fees for non-returned items will be sent each quarter. 
• Each item may be renewed two times, provided that no one else has requested the item. Borrowers will be notified if someone requests an item that has already been checked out. 
• If a borrower needs more than two renewals, the item must be returned to LIBRARY circulation to check it out again. 
• Borrowers may place a hold on items. They will be notified when the items are available. 
• Borrowers are responsible for returning materials by the due date. Convenient book drop boxes are located in the library, outside the library entrance, and next to the main entrance to the East building. Reserve materials must be returned to the Circulation Desk.

 

Overdue Fines

 

• All books are due at the end of the quarter regardless of when the book was checked out. Books not returned by the end of the quarter are deemed lost and the patron is charged. Replacement charges for lost items include the replaced cost of the item and a $25.00 processing fee. 
• If borrowers believe they have been charged in error, the charges may be appealed by contacting the staff.

 

Overdue Fines: Reserve items 

• All patrons with overdue fines on a reserve item will be charged. Arrangements to address reserve overdue fines may be made with the Associate Dean, Library and eLearning.
• All patrons with overdue reserve items will be fined $5.00 per day, with no exceptions. Reserve Collection late fees per item are as follows:
• Overnight to 3-day check-out: $9.99 per day
• 2-hour check-out: $3.00 for each hour, with a maximum of $9.99 per day. ($3.00 for the first hour, a total per item of $6.00 for the second hour, and a total of $9.99 for the day for anything after three hours)

 

Patron Privacy

 

Library patron records are confidential and all requests for records must be in writing and submitted to the Associate Dean, Library and eLearning for approval.

 

Patron Conduct

 

Conduct and Etiquette

 

Use of the Library is consistent with LWTC Employee Ethical Conduct policy* and Student Conduct Code*. Patrons are responsible for their behavior and expected to comply with campus rules and regulations, to use good judgment, common sense and be considerate of others. Any individual violating this code or college policies may be denied use of the Library or its services. Should discipline be necessary, individuals may expect a verbal warning, reprimand or revocation of services. Further actions involving students will follow the procedures noted in the Student Handbook.

 

• Disruptive behavior is not allowed, e.g., abusive language or aggressive action directed to library personnel or other library patrons.

• Noise should be kept to a reasonable level in all areas of the Library.

• “Leave No Trace” policy: do not leave behind wrappers, packaging, cups, lids, crumbs or any evidence of food or beverage

• Children (under the age of 16 and not enrolled in classes) may not be left unattended

• Alcohol, Illegal Drugs and Tobacco Products use is not allowed inside the Library

• Computers and Electronic Resources are intended for library-related activities:

  • Use is limited to legal activities

  • No viewing of pornography

  • Use of computers is limited to the applications listed on the menus available on the screen.

  • Computer users are not allowed to install programs or alter system configurations, defaults, system settings, system files, program files, data files, desktop configuration or colors.

 

Collection Development Policy

 

Purpose

 

The primary goal of the library collection is to support the educational efforts of students, faculty and staff at Lake Washington Technical College. The collection will emphasize library resources which directly relate to the classes being offered. The purpose of this policy is to guide the library’s collection building efforts and improve the library’s ability to assist the students, faculty and staff of Lake Washington Technical College.

 

Intellectual Freedom

 

Section II American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights states that “Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” Library will support this statement by making every effort to collect materials that cover opposing viewpoints on various topics.

 

If any Lake Washington Technical College student, faculty or staff member has a complaint regarding our library materials, they can request a meeting with the Assistant Dean of Learning Resources to discuss the issue(s).

 

Copyright

 

The Library supports copyright law stated in the Copyright Act of 1976 as amended. The library also recognizes and adheres to the rules of the “fair use” policy established in this copyright act.

 

Budget

 

The library receives funding from the college to purchase or provide access new print and electronic materials. No specific budget is allocated for individual disciplines, which will permit flexibility in the library’s growth

 

Responsibility for Collection Development

 

The Library encourages all users to contact the Assistant Dean, Learning Resources to request any items that they feel will add to the collection. The item will be acquired if three criteria are met:

 

• The necessary funding is available
• The item(s) meets the standards established by this collection development policy.
• The information contained within the item(s) is not already adequately covered by the existing collection.

 

Ultimate responsibility for collection development lies with the Associate Dean, Library and eLearning.

 

Selection Guidelines

 

Selection of library materials rests with the teaching faculty, library faculty, and Associate Dean, Library and eLearning.

Materials are selected according to the following criteria:

 

• Support of the LWTC educational curriculum

• Correlation/fit with the existing collection

• Appropriate level

• Accuracy and objectivity

• Reputation of author or publisher

• How current/permanent is material?

• Cost

• Demand

• Condition

 

Policies by Format of Material

 

Books

Hardcover books are preferred due to their durability. Works which are of lasting value will be purchased in hardcover when available. Paperback books will be purchased when hardcover books are not available, or when the hardcover item is not a prudent purchase. Paperbacks may also be purchased for rapidly changing topics. In general, single copies of books are purchased. If a topic is very popular, the library will consider purchasing multiple copies.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not normally purchased by the library. They will be purchased only when they provide a good, general introduction to a topic or when no other general books can be found. Textbooks for specific courses will not be purchased. Professors may place their own textbook copies on reserve for students’ use, if they wish.

Electronic Resources

Electronic Resources are defined as any material requiring a computer for access. The Library shall choose to acquire or access electronic resources based on the above selection guidelines.

Videotapes/DVDs

Videotapes and DVDs will be purchased upon the request of a faculty member as long as the video meets the guidelines stabled in this policy. Videos can often be costly, so the library reserves the right to forgo the purchase of a requested video or video set if the item(s) is judged to be too costly.

Audio CDs

Gifts of audio CDs will be given special consideration when donated from a state agency and will be incorporated into the existing collection as they support and supplement the college curriculum.

Government Publications

The Library is not a depository for federal or state government documents. Government publications are selected according to our regular collection development guidelines and are shelved in the library collection. 

Foreign Language Materials

Items written in languages other than English will be acquired when they support the Foreign Language/ESL curriculum requirements.

Popular Fiction

Popular fiction will not normally be purchased for the regular book collection, unless the book is considered of significant literary value or is studied in one of the literature or reading courses.

 

Collection Maintenance (“Weeding”)

Periodically, reference librarians and the Associate Dean, Library and eLearning will evaluate the collection to identify materials for withdrawal. The same guidelines apply to the existing collection as to new purchases, and materials that no longer meet the collection policy will be removed from the shelf. For example, materials that are outdated, damaged, seldom circulated, or contain inaccurate information will be removed. Faculty members will be consulted when materials in their disciplines are being considered for withdrawal.

Policy Review 

This collection development policy will be periodically reviewed by the Associate Dean, Library and eLearning and changes made when appropriate.

 

Laptop Computers

 

Students

Laptop reserve checkout is available with a current LWTC student identification only, no other form of identification will be accepted. The checkout period is for two hour increments.

 

Faculty and Staff

Laptop use off campus is permissible with written authorization from a supervisor and Associate Dean of Library and eLearning. Laptops may be kept for one week on an emergency basis that is approved by the Associate Dean, Library and eLearning.

 

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Services

 

Interlibrary loan services are available from the LWTC library. WorldCat is online catalog service providing book information to other libraries and is available via the library website. This service is for faculty, staff and students who may need books or articles that are not available within the LWTC library.

 

There is a minimum delay time of 7-10 days school days to get an item via interlibrary loan. Delivery time for interlibrary loan items are unique to each item and will be advised on an individual basis. There are limits to the number of items that can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan.

 

Cost, if any, associated with interlibrary loan is determined case by case.

 

Requests for interlibrary loan should be placed with a reference librarian.

 

LWTC Email Accounts

 

All college email accounts are handled by the Learning Commons. Forms to request a college email account are available in the library.

 

Conference and Study Room Policy

 

Library Study Room Facilities & Room Capacity

 

• T215H Study/Conference Room: reservations of ten people or more, capacity of 45 people

• T311C Study/Conference Room: reservations up to six people, capacity of 6 people

• ASC Study Room: Capacity of 6 people

 

Rooms are available for group study and projects for all current LWTC students and usage is not to exceed capacity. These rooms are also available to all staff, faculty and administration at LWTC. Rooms are not to be used in place of regular classroom meetings or for paid events. For paid events or community use, please contact LWTC Conference Services. All activities in these rooms must in accordance with laws and copyright policies.

 

Procedures for Reservations  

• The reservation schedules are posted outside of each study room and available for viewing on electronic calendars located at:
• Reservations made be made in person, via phone or electronically submitted. 
• Check the calendar for availability.
• Fill out the Study Room Request form. All requested information must be filled out. Form is located in print in the library and online at: 
• Submit your completed form to the staff. The staff will schedule and confirm your booking.
• Verify your reservation by checking the electronic calendar, send corrections to the staff. 
• All conference and study rooms must be reserved by the staff for group use. 
• When a conference or study room is not reserved, drop-in use is permitted for groups on a first-come, first-served basis. For drop-in use sign-in on the reservation schedule posted outside of each room. 
• Cancellations are preferred but not required. 
• Groups 15 minutes late, or later, will be asked to surrender the room to drop-in groups present and waiting for the facility.
• Conference and study rooms are for groups, not one person, with exception of the 2^nd floor small study room for silent study. This room is available on a drop-in basis only and accommodates up to 2 people only. This room may have to be shared with another person. 
• Conference and study rooms will be scheduled two weeks out. Each new week starts on Monday. 
• Drop-in blocks may be up to two hours per group and may be renewed if next block is open. 
• Reserved blocks may be up to four hours per group and may be renewed if the next block is open. 
• The library staff reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule groups only if absolutely necessary and at the discretion of the Associate Dean of Library and eLearning. As much advance notice will be given to groups in these circumstances.

 

Library Reserves

 

Items may be placed on reserve in the library by faculty and staff. A Reserve Request Form is available from the library. Duration for reserve item varies.