What is the Circulation Policy for the library?
Answer
Application Requirements:
· Virginia Western Community College students, faculty, and staff are automatically entered into the library system at the time of enrollment and/or employment. No additional application is required.
· Residents of the Virginia Western Community College service area who are not affiliated with the College may apply for a community patron card. Applications must be made in person at the Circulation Desk on the top floor of the Brown Library building. A valid photo ID bearing the applicant’s current mailing address must be presented at the time of application. If the photo ID does not have the applicant’s current mailing address, a piece of mail with the correct address, or a DMV-issued address card will be required as well. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age to be eligible for a community patron card.
Identification Requirements: All patrons are required to present a valid photo ID or community patron card at the time of checkout. Acceptable forms of ID include VWCC student ID, VWCC employee ID, driver’s license, military ID, community patron card, or other government ID.
Loan Limits:
· VWCC borrowers may have a total of 15 items on loan at any given time. A maximum of 4 DVDs may be on loan at any given time and count towards the overall 15-item limit.
· Community borrowers may have a total of 4 items on loan at any given time. A maximum of 4 DVDs may be on loan at any given time and count towards the overall 4-item limit.
Loan Periods: Borrowers should always consult the due date slip/email or a library staff member for accurate loan period information. Library materials have varying loan periods. In general, materials circulate as follows:
· Books, including Fiction, Graphic Novels, and New/Popular: 28 days
· DVDs: 7 days
· Great Courses kits: 28 days
· Reserve materials: 2 hours, in-library use only
o Some reserve materials have special loan periods, such as 2 days, 1 week, or 1 semester. These are determined by instructors and/or the library to ensure the most equitable access.
o Community patrons may only use reserve items in the library when not currently in use by a VWCC patron.
Recalls: The library reserves the right to recall materials at any time. If a recall is necessary, a library staff member will contact you via email or telephone to request the prompt return of the item(s) needed. A new due date will be issued that supersedes the original due date.
Lost or Damaged Materials: At any time during a loan period, a patron may declare an item as lost or damaged. Additionally, items will automatically be declared lost at the time of the third overdue notice. Library staff are responsible for determining replacement and repair costs when items are lost or damaged, and use reputable sources to determine current replacement costs, such as our vendors and large book retailers. Repair costs are determined by library staff based on the cost of materials used for the repair. Replacement costs will be assessed when staff determine an item is damaged beyond repair. Additional fees are added for specific materials, such as DVD case replacement fees, photo-binding fees, and a processing fee. Patron borrowing privileges will be suspended until lost/damaged fees are paid in full.
· Student Penalties: In addition to the above, a negative service indicator is placed on student accounts in SIS until fees are paid in full. Negative service indicators block students from registering, receiving transcripts, receiving financial aid distributions, etc.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL): Interlibrary Loan services are offered to current VWCC patrons only. Community patrons should consult their local public library for ILL services. ILL requests from VWCC students will be filled for VWCC coursework only. ILL requests from VWCC faculty and staff will be filled for VWCC coursework or professional development only. Additionally, requests for textbooks will not be filled.
Renewals: Renewals may be requested in person, via telephone, or via email. Items eligible for renewal may only be renewed once. Overdue items, items on request by another borrower, reserve materials, and DVDs are not eligible for renewal. Renewals for interlibrary loan materials are determined by the lending library.
Returns: Items must be returned to the Circulation Desk on the top floor of the Brown Library building or in one of our on-campus book return boxes. Borrowers are responsible for the safe and timely return of all items.
Cooperative Borrowing Program: VWCC participates in the VIVA (Virtual Library of Virginia) Cooperative Borrowing Program. Current VWCC students, faculty, and staff may visit any participating library and request to borrow materials. Information on participating institutions and their respective borrowing privileges is available at the VIVA Cooperative Borrowing website at https://vivalib.org/c.php?g=836990&p=5978057. Borrowers are responsible for adhering to the lending institution’s cooperative borrowing policies, as well as the return of any borrowed materials.
Borrower’s Responsibility Statement: Borrowers are responsible for all library materials checked out to them until the materials are returned to the library. Borrowers are responsible for returning or renewing items by the due date. All borrowers are responsible for having a current home/mailing address on file with the library/college. Overdue notices are a courtesy; failure to receive an overdue notice does not relieve the borrower of responsibility to return or renew borrowed materials by the due date.
