Guidelines & Policies

Circulation (Check Out)

Bailey Library's Circulation Policy provides information as to which materials can be checked out and for how long. All SRU Faculty, Staff, and students have borrowing privileges. Other community members and local teachers may apply for a Special Borrower's card in accordance with the Special Borrowers policy. Different materials have different loan lengths and rules. All items may be checked out at the 1st Floor Circulation Desk, located near the library's entrance. Laptops and equipment may be requested at the Circulation Desk.

General Collection, IMC, and Reading Room Check Out (Circulation) Policies

Students, faculty, and staff must use a current SRU photo ID to check out library materials. Community and other non-university patrons must use a special borrowers card (See Special Borrowers Policy) to check out library materials. Local public school teachers and local residents are eligible for free borrowing privileges. Special borrowers cards are available upon approval at the library's circulation desk. For purposes of this policy, library materials refer to items from the general collection, Instructional Materials, and titles from the Reading Room. The Laptop and Equipment Check Out (Circulation) Policies are different and are at the end of this policy.

Loan Periods - Students, Staff, and Special Borrowers

Four weeks for general collection titles
One week for non-print materials, textbooks, and award-winning, children's literature
Four weeks for popular titles housed in the reading room

Loan Periods - Faculty

Full semester for general collection titles
Three weeks for non-print materials, textbooks, and award-winning children's literature
Four weeks for popular titles housed in the reading room

Loan Periods - Student Teachers and Graduate Assistants

Extended loan periods upon request (three weeks for one-week items, six weeks for four-week items)
Students teachers should ask about these privileges at the circulation desk
Graduate assistants may apply for extended loan periods at the circulation desk

Renewals

Three renewals on most items are available (if the item is not requested by another patron during the item's loan period) by asking in person at the circulation desk, by telephone 724.738.2637, or online using the My Library Card feature in Bailey Library's Catalog and Discovery Search.

Item Limits

Students and Staff: 50 items
Faculty: 100 items
Special Borrowers: 10 items

Overdue Fines

Four-week items: $ .15/day
One-week items: $ .15/day
Audiovisual items: $.25/day
Audiovisual equipment: $3.00/day
Hourly reserves: $ 1.00/hour
Weekly reserves: $3.00/day
The maximum fine on most items is $15.00. Maximum fine for overdue audiovisual equipment is $25.00.

Replacement Costs

Prices billed for lost or damaged books will be established using either the current Books in Print or a standardized fee by subject (to be established by the library)
Prices billed for lost or damaged audiovisual items will be based on actual replacement costs
Patrons will also be billed a $25.00 processing fee per item
Patrons who fail to pay outstanding fines and/or fees will have circulation privileges blocked
Holds will be placed on student records and transcripts until outstanding bills are satisfied
Three renewals on most items are available (if item is not requested by another patron) by asking in person at the circulation desk, by telephone 724.738.2637 or online through the My Library Card feature available via SRU's Catalog and Discovery Search.

Laptop and Equipment Check Out (Circulation) Policies

Laptops, video cameras, and other equipment are available to be checked out from the library. Please note that laptops may only be checked out for a few hours and are limited to in-library use.

Semester Hours to Check Out Laptops and Equipment

Monday through Thursday 8:00am - 10:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
CLOSED: Saturdays, Sundays, Academic Breaks, and Summers

Digital still and video cameras, tripods, microphones, calculators, audio and other equipment circulate from the library's Circulation desk.. Items are usually three day loans with a $3/day fine for over dues. Extended loans may be made. Items can be renewed up to three times. An agreement form must be signed, and a valid SRU ID must be presented. Cameras and equipment circulate to current SRU students, faculty and staff only. The library assumes no responsibility for files left on equipment. Please erase files before returning. Patrons must supply their own batteries, DVD/CD, etc. and must charge camera batteries before use. Equipment not returned at the end of each semester may be reported to SRU police for collection.

Contact:
Kathy Manning
Library Staff
724.738.4458
kathleen.manning@sru.edu

Interlibrary Loan Guidelines

Borrowing through Interlibrary Loan provides a service to Slippery Rock University faculty, staff, and students for the purpose of expanding and broadening access to materials not available at the Library.

Interlibrary loan serves as an adjunct to, not a substitute for, the collection which meets most needs of the library's users.

Additional information about the Bailey Library Interlibrary Loan Guidelines can be found here.

Location

1st Floor - Room 104

PATRON ELIGIBILITY

Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students, Undergraduates, and Distance Education Students are eligible.

Community Users are not eligible

PATRON RESPONSIBILITY

Patrons should make interlibrary loan requests only after first identifying relevant sources available at Bailey Library.

Patrons should supply a complete citation for each request.

Notice – Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that use may be liable for copyright infringement.

This institution reserves the right to refuse a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

Interlibrary Loan Restrictions

Interlibrary loan allows libraries to obtain copyrighted material from other libraries if the material is intended for private study and research. Materials obtained through interlibrary loan may not be shared with others. The Library will not place copyrighted materials borrowed through interlibrary loan on course reserve.

Library Computer Classroom Reservation Guidelines

The library has a computer classroom reservation guidelines outlining the guidelines and rules for requesting use of Bailey Library's classroom.

LIBRARY COMPUTER CLASSROOM RESERVATION GUIDELINES

The library computer classroom (Bailey Library Room 219) is used for the following prioritized functions:

Priority 1 - Library Instruction in conjunction with SRU faculty and classes

Priority 2 - Student computer use

Priority 3 - Other non- library instructional use

During the months of September, October and then January until after Spring Break, the room is exclusively reserved for library instruction classes taught by the library faculty, and for student computer usage.

At the other times of the year, the room may be scheduled in advance for infrequent instructional use by faculty, staff, and administration of the University by calling the library secretary, at ext. 2631, or the Manager of Library Operations, Jennifer Bartek at ext. 2339. Please note though, consecutive dates or time periods, especially for more than a couple of weeks, will not be scheduled. You may also email library-office@sru.edu. Request are granted based on the availability of the room.

The library does not have staff available to load software in the classroom for demonstrations and ask that the computer equipment in 219 not be altered in any way.

Library Customer Service Policy

Bailey Library at Slippery Rock University is committed to providing courteous, accurate, and efficient service to all customers, whether virtually or in person. As part of this commitment: Library staff will treat all patrons politely and with respect. The library will offer the same quality of service to all regardless of age, creed, disability, ethnic heritage, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. All staff, full-time and student, are familiar with library policies relevant to their work and are able to inform patrons about them or refer them to appropriate library personnel. Library staff will respect patrons' privacy in accordance with state, local, and national laws.

Bailey Library supports the ALA Code of Ethics

Library administration believes that student staff are not only serving the public but are also earning valuable work experience while employed at Bailey. In light of the university's commitment to a holistic learning environment, all student staff will participate in customer service training.

Library First Floor Display Case Guidelines

Bailey Library Display Case Guidelines

Bailey Library has display cases located on the first floor that are available for use by SRU faculty and students. All display case use requests must be approved in advance through the procedures described in these guidelines.

Qualifications for Use:

Bailey Library personnel have the right to review all materials before they are exhibited. The Library will not accept displays which are judged illegal, offensive or inappropriate for an academic library setting. Displays that promote discrimination against persons or groups will be refused. Displays may not be for the solicitation of business or for profit. Exhibits must be displayed in a professional manner. In case of conflicting scheduling dates, these priorities will prevail: 1. Library use, 2. SRU faculty academic class use, 3. SRU student organizations, 4. SRU organizations – or SRU sponsored groups.

Granting of permission to display materials does not imply Library endorsement of content; nor will the Library accept responsibility for the accuracy of statements made in displays. The Library endeavors to present a broad array of opinions and a variety of viewpoints.

Liability: The Library assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, damage or destruction of items exhibited in a display.

Setting up the Display:

Exhibitors will be responsible for setting up and taking down displays. Exhibitors are also responsible for any needed supplies. Care must be taken to ensure displays do not damage the display cases. Displays must be contained within the display case. Exhibitors will provide a printed statement giving the title/name of the display and the name(s) of the individual or organization sponsoring the exhibit. The library may also produce publicity materials or post information on its social media outlets regarding the display.

Taking Down the Display

The display must be taken down within three days of the end date for the reserved display period and items must be removed from the library. If items have not been removed at the end of the display period and every attempt has been made to contact the group, library staff has the right to empty the case. Please note the library will not store display items indefinitely.

Reserving the Display Case:

Requests for use of the display cases shall be submitted using the online form (link) and will be reviewed by Bailey Library personnel for approval/disapproval. Groups or individuals may request usage up to a one-month (30 day) display period. Depending on demand, the Library cannot guarantee that all requests, or requested time lengths, will be fulfilled. Conflicting time requests will be accommodated based on the above established priorities. All forms must be completed and signed before entering the approval process.

Updated on: January 31, 2020

Library Food and Drink Guidelines

Bailey Library's Food and Drink guidelines exists to protect the library's resources, support recycling, and maintain a pest-free, uncluttered environment.

General Guidelines

Keep a lid on it!
We do allow some types of foods and drinks in certain areas of the library. For most areas, please eat non-messy or non-aromatic foods, and keep a lid on all drinks!

Keep it clean!
Please clean up messes, and throw away non-recyclable items in trash cans. Place recyclables in marked bins.

Keep it safe!
Food and drink can pose a potential risk to library collections, equipment and furnishings. For the safety and preservation of these items/areas, we do not allow food or drinks at computer work stations, and in the Special Collections and University Archive rooms on the 3rd floor.

Please look for the colored symbols in the library areas to help determine what is allowed.

A Green Thumbs Up Symbol Indicates that:

Food and drinks are allowed - This would include bake sale foods, messier meals (sandwiches, pizza, etc.) and "open" drinks.

LOCATIONS: First floor lobby area and by T & B Café, and 1st floor vending area.

A Yellow "OK" Symbol Indicates that:

Food in this area is limited to covered drinks, and non-messy foods or snacks.

LOCATIONS: Anywhere except where food and drinks are prohibited. This would include all newly remodeled areas of the library, on 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors.

A Red Thumbs Down Symbol Indicates That:

Food and drinks are not permitted in this area. Please move to an area of the library that allows food or drinks.

LOCATIONS: Special Collections, University Archives, while working at computer work stations or around other technological equipment.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping Bailey Library a clean, pest-free place for all to enjoy.

Library Lobby Usage Requests

SRU recognized groups, clubs, organizations, etc. can use the space in front of the library building and inside the library in the main lobby area for events. These events must be scheduled with the library office first by completing this form. In order to accommodate as many groups as possible please keep in mind the following: Time periods should be no more than 2-3 hours long. We will not schedule 2 bake sales at the same time. We discourage scheduling of several consecutive days since this will not allow other groups to have the same opportunity also. If you would like to schedule, please contact the main library office at: library-office@sru.edu or stop by at the main office on the 2nd floor or at the front circulation desk to pick up/deliver this form and put in your request.

Library Patron Expectation Policy

Bailey Library faculty and staff welcome you and invite you to take advantage of the many services and resources that are available in the library.

Our interest is to assure an environment that is welcoming to all patrons at all times and that helps library patrons accomplish what they came here to do. To achieve that, the library has 300 desktop and laptop computers for you to use, many different types of study areas for individuals and groups, comfortable seating, all kinds of electronic and print content such as books, magazines and DVDs, a quiet-study floor, a café, and staff who are dedicated to your success and comfort.

At the same time, we hope to make clear our expectations for everyone who visits our building. Please keep the following points in mind while you are at Bailey Library:

The entire third floor is the quiet floor: noise of any kind on the third floor is not allowed
Normal conversation is welcomed in the rest of the building
Use headphones if you are listening to music
Remember that some people might be offended or alarmed by images that you display on PCs: be discreet
Respect library property, and be careful with food and beverages
Behavior that might be acceptable outside the building or in your residence might be disruptive or offensive to other library patrons: think about the welfare of other patrons at all times
Obey all state and federal laws, and observe the SRU Student Code of Conduct
Minors under the age of 16 are welcome, but must be supervised by an adult

Staff will enforce this patron expectation policy. Patrons who choose to disregard it may be asked to leave the building.

Bailey Library faculty and staff subscribe to the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics

A printable version of this policy is available.

Library Study Table Guidelines

These guidelines have been developed to ensure a welcoming environment for individual and group student study and research in the library. Student organizations and groups that use the library for study tables are welcome to do so under the following conditions:

Attendance must be monitored by the group itself. The library does not provide this service.
Groups must follow all library protocol including those concerning quiet areas and cell phones. The third floor is a quiet area and is not appropriate for group study.
Be courteous and civil. Noise, excessive amounts of food, and other disturbances show a lack of consideration for other individuals using the library.
Groups may not restrict access to any area of the library and should leave the area as it was found, restoring furniture arrangements and cleaning up any extraneous materials.
Library staff members will remind groups about these guidelines.
If problems persist, the group's officers and/or advisers will be contacted to discuss the problem.
If the situation is not remedied, the group will be asked to find another location for study tables.

Unaccompanied Children

These guidelines have been developed to minimize the potential for disruptive behavior in Slippery Rock University's Bailey Library and to protect underage children from potential dangers while in the Library.

Bailey Library welcomes children accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver, but parents or adult caregivers should be aware that the library's collection of materials and unfiltered Internet access are designed to meet the research and curricular needs of its primary users: the students, faculty and staff of Slippery Rock University. In a university library, unsupervised children may have access to books, Internet sites, and other resources that parents may deem to be inappropriate. Furthermore, Slippery Rock University's Library is open to the public, a situation that can present risks to children.

Children age 12 and under must be accompanied by someone age 18 or older.

Unaccompanied children may be asked to leave or library staff may contact the Slippery Rock University police to report their non-supervised status.

Exceptions may be made for children participating in school or university sponsored programs and activities.

An eligible child may obtain a Bailey Library card to check out books, provided a parent or guardian completes the application available at the Circulation Desk.

Children under age 18 who wish to receive authorization for internet access must have the permission of the adult who accompanies them and follow procedures for gaining internet access at the Reference Desk.

Please note that the library is not responsible for monitoring what internet sites children under 18 may be viewing; this is the responsibility of the accompanying adult.

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