Library Use and Access Services Policy Contents Patrons Managing your account Borrowing resources Loan policies Renewing loans Overdue material Damaged material Bills, fines and fees Borrowing material from other libraries Additional services Research help Course reserves Placing holds Academic assistance Technology help Services for distance students Study spaces General policies Code of conduct Food and beverages Cellphones Children 1st floor Group study rooms 2nd floor Computer & Internet Use
Patrons Access to Minneapolis Community & Technical College (MCTC) Library resources, services and study spaces is provided to current patrons. Patrons include enrolled MCTC students, MCTC faculty/staff, community members and individuals from the C onsortium of MnPALS Libraries. Limited access is also provided to individuals who live or work in one of the Minneapolis C entral neighborhoods: Downtown East, Downtown West, Elliot Park, Loring Park, North Loop & Stevens Square/Loring Heights. To create a community member account, individuals will need to provide a State ID and a document verifying residence/work in the above neighborhoods.
Managing your account
Patrons may monitor their library activities through My Library Account. Access to the account is available using a StarID and password. From My Library Account patrons can: ● ●
View current loans and due dates Renew loaned items
● ●
Request interlibrary loans Request holds for items currently not available
Borrowing resources
Patrons must present either a valid MCTC or MnPALS Institution ID card to borrow material.
Loan policies STUDENTS Loan Period
Resource
Number of Renewals
General Collection - Books
28 days
2
General Collection - Media
7 days
2
Periodical Collection
In library use only
NA
Reference Collection
In library use only
NA
Restricted Collection
In library use only (2 hours)
1
Course Reserves
2 hours, 1, 2, 7 & 14 days
1
Laptops & Headphones
In library use only (4 hours)
1
Select Technology
150 days
0
It is each individual’s responsibility to be aware of due dates/times, and to return or renew materials before they become overdue. Loss of or damage to materials may result in fees. Failure to return items may result in a replacement charge.
Renewing loans ● ● ●
Patrons can renew loaned items through My Library Account Most items cannot be renewed more than twice Items which are overdue, may not be renewed
Overdue material Letters notifying patrons of overdue loans are sent at the following intervals: Type of loan
1st notice
2nd notice
3rd notice
General books & media
After 7 days
After 14 days
After 28 days
Course reserves
After 1 day
After 8 days
After 15 days
Laptops & headphones
After 1 day
After 8 days
After 15 days
Interlibrary loans
After 7 days
After 14 days
After 28 days
●
If a patron has overdue items, they will blocked from checking out additional material.
●
MCTC instructors own the items in the Library course reserve collection. If a patron has an overdue course reserve item, the instructor who owns the item will immediately be contacted and sent the name of the patron.
Damaged material
Patrons are responsible for any damage to Library material. ● A replacement charge will be added to a patron’s account for damaged items. ● MCTC instructors own the items in the Library course reserve collection. If a patron damages a course reserve item, the instructor who owns the item will immediately be contacted and sent the name of the patron.
Bills, fines & fees ●
●
● ●
Patrons will be billed for the following: ○ Items which are more than 90 days past their due date ○ Items which are lost ○ Items which are damaged Once an item has been billed: ○ Returns or replacements will not be accepted ○ A registration and transcript hold may be placed on the patron’s record ○ Charges will be forwarded to the State’s Revenue Recapture service Each billed item will equal $25 Bills may only paid through MCTC Business Services
Borrowing material from other libraries
Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a service that provides access to resources from other libraries that is unavailable or not owned by MCTC Library. Books, articles and media may be borrowed through ILL. Reference books, rare books, dissertations, and items from special collections are usually not loaned. Before submitting a request, patrons are encouraged to consult with a reference librarian.
Restrictions The Library will not process requests for textbooks or items in our reserve collection, material that is already owned by the MCTC Library (except for items that are currently unavailable to loan), and requests for whole journals. There are limited lending options for material requested outside of Minnesota. The MCTC Library reserves the right to limit requests to course related research and material which supports the curriculum.
Copy Requests
Patrons can submit photocopy requests for journal articles and excerpts from books. Patrons have the option to have them sent electronically through their e-mail, or to have a physical copy sent to the Library for pick-up.
Copyright The Library fully complies with the copyright law and guidelines related to ILL processes.
Delivery Time
The average delivery time for an ILL is four days. It may take up to three weeks depending upon location and availability of the requested items.
Notifications Patrons will be contacted at the e-mail listed in their patron record. After patrons have received notification that their requested material has arrived, the item(s) will be held up to one week from the date the material was received. Patrons can check the status of their ILL requests by accessing the M y Library Account. The ILL tab will display currently requested and loaned ILL material.
Pickup Location
Patrons can pick up their ILL materials at the circulation desk in the library.
Renewals Renewals are granted at the discretion of the supplier. Patrons should submit their renewal requests at least one week prior to the due date of the item. Patrons must submit renewal requests through My Library Account. The Library will not contact patrons about the status of renewal requests. After submitting renewal request(s), patrons are responsible for checking the status of their request(s).
Overdue and Lost ILL Items
Replacement charges for lost material are determined by the supplier. Patrons are responsible for any charges levied against the Library by the supplier of the ILL.
Additional services Research help
Please see the Library Reference Policies
Course reserves
The Library Course Reserves Collection directly supports current class instruction, which includes materials assigned or recommended by faculty. Reserves are comprised of textbooks, study guides, supplemental readings, DVDs and other media. Since course reserves are provided by the faculty of their own volition, not all course materials will be present in the reserves collection. If you would like to see a particular material added to our collection, please contact your instructor. Course reserves are located at the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the Library.
Borrowing course reserves
A campus ID is required to check out course reserve materials. Since reserves are in high demand, they have the following limitations:
● ●
Most course reserves have a loan period of 2 hours and must stay in the library. A few materials may be borrowed for 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days or 14 days. These special cases will be clearly indicated on the course reserve label.
Donating Old Textbooks
Patrons may donate their purchased course materials to the library for use in our Course Reserves Collection. Please confirm with the instructor that the material will be used for the next semester before donating. Pick up and complete a Donation Form at the Circulation Desk. The Library may only accept three copies of any one title.
Holds ● ●
Holds can only be placed on currently checked out items Patrons are contacted when items on hold are available to be picked up
Study spaces General policies Code of conduct
While using library facilities, patrons are subject to MCTC’s C ode of Conduct. Violations of this code will be forwarded to appropriate departments. The Library is a shared resource, we encourage patrons to have consideration for others.
Food and beverages ● ●
Food cannot be consumed in the library and should be stored out of sight. Beverages must be in covered containers.
Library 1st floor ● ● ●
The 1st floor of the library is designated for low-volume conversation. Headphones should be worn when watching or listening to media. If conversation or noise is loud enough to interrupt other patrons from their work, patrons will be asked to reduce noise or (if necessary) leave the library.
Library 2nd floor ● ● ●
The entire 2nd floor is designated for silent study. Patrons wishing to study in groups are encouraged use 1st floor study areas. Patrons who do not honor this policy will be asked to move to the 1st floor or (if necessary) leave the library.
Group Study Rooms
The library has 4 rooms designated for group study. ● A MCTC ID is required to check out or reserve a group study room. ● Group study rooms are available to patrons in groups of 3 or more. ● The patron who checks out the room is responsible for any damage during its use. ● Access to the room will be granted when at 3 members are present. ● Groups are required to have 3 people in the room at all times. ● Rooms can be reserved for up to 3 hours. ● Noise levels should not be disruptive to neighboring study rooms. ● Eating is not permitted in the group study rooms.
Cellphones ● ● ● ● ● ●
Use of cellphones inside the library is permitted only on the 1st floor. Phones may not be used in the computer lab (L1300) Volume of phone conversations must not be disruptive to others. Ringers should be silenced/set to vibrate while in the library. Use of cellphones inside bathrooms within the library is prohibited (due to privacy issues raised by the presence of cameras on many cell phones.) Patrons are requested to take loud, on-going conversations into the lobby.
Children ● ● ● ●
Patrons visiting the Library with children are encouraged to keep their visits brief. Patrons may not grant children access to Library computers. Patrons with disruptive children may be asked to leave. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.