Circulation Policy

The Linn-Benton Community College Library (“the Library”) provides access to its collections, without any charge, to students, employees, and community members. Some items are only available to certain users, including:

• Interlibrary loans - reserved for LBCC students and employees
• Laptops and hotspots - reserved for LBCC students
• Course textbooks - reserved for LBCC students

See our Access Policy for more details about services to the public.

The due date for all library materials, with the exception of one day / two hour / reserve items is the end of the current term. No checkouts may be renewed.

Late Materials

Late Fines

• 2-hour reserves: $.50 an hour
• One-week reserves: $2.00 a day
• Materials obtained through interlibrary loan: $2.00 a day
• Laptops and hotspots: $2.00 a day

To avoid late charges, please make sure to return your materials.

Suspension of Borrowing Privileges

When a user's account accumulates $10.00 or more in fines, their checkout privileges will be "blocked" and remain suspended until the user does the following:

1. Check in all materials on which fines are accumulating. (e.g. If one has a reserve item out, privileges will not be unblocked until the item has been checked in).
2. Blocked users can appeal their bills by filling out an appeal form and submitting it to library circulation staff. A librarian will review the appeal and reply directly to the user. Contact us (see above) to initiate this process.

How can I avoid being fined/billed?

Here are a few tips to avoid accumulating fines and being billed for "LOST" books:

1. Pay attention to due dates (this will be printed on your receipt)
2. Read your LBCC email - you will receive the following email reminders before you are actually billed for "LOST" items:
   • 3 days before materials are due
   • The day after materials become overdue
   • 14 days after materials become overdue
   • 21 days after materials become overdue

Significant or repeated failure to return library items (including technology) may result in suspension of a library user's borrowing privileges.

"Lost" or Long Overdue Items

Billing for LOST or Long Overdue Materials

The library's checkout software automatically marks checkouts as "LOST" 21 days after their due date if they have not been checked in. At this point, you will receive an email notifying you of a pending bill; billing will be done by the LBCC billing office. You will be billed the cost of item plus processing fees for each lost item. Please make sure to return materials on time.

Term-Long Equipment Lending Policies

Linn-Benton Community College, as part of its commitment to student success, makes a variety of technology equipment available to its students through various offices and departments at the college. The LB Library provides computers and internet access available to students both on campus and through check-out of equipment for home use. As part of this commitment, we also have a responsibility to be good stewards of these resources, to make them available to as many students as possible in order to provide opportunity for the student population as a whole, and to keep them in good working order. The following policies apply to term-long checkouts of laptops and hotspots from the LB Library:

• Checkout of laptops and hotspots are restricted to currently-enrolled students at Linn-Benton.
• Checkout term length for laptops and hotspots runs from the first day of the term to the last day of the term. Items cannot be picked up before that day and must be returned by that day. No renewals are allowed. This enables us to update and maintain the machines over the breaks between terms. Items not returned may be subject to late fees or replacement costs.
• Laptop and hotspot checkouts are first come, first served and are done in person at the Albany Campus LB Library. No reservations or holds are allowed. This allows for the most equitable access to the equipment and ensures that it is in good working order when it leaves the library.
• If equipment is not returned by the end of the term, library checkout privileges may be suspended until the equipment is returned and/or any late fees and bills have been paid, which can include the cost of replacing the equipment. Students can appeal their bills by filling out an appeal form and submitting it to library circulation staff. Contact us (see above) to initiate this process.
• If equipment is damaged, lost or stolen, students may be held responsible for part or all of the costs and it may impact access to borrow equipment in the future. This is decided on a case-by-case basis in order to ensure the most equitable access to these resources for the student population as a whole, and can be appealed by filling out an appeal form and submitting it to library circulation staff. Contact us (see above) to initiate this process.

Children in the Library Policy

• Children are welcome to use the spaces and collections in the LBCC Library.
• Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible caregiver. However, patrons of any age who are unable or unwilling to care for themselves must have adequate supervision from a caregiver.
• Caregivers must be at least 13 years of age.
• Library staff do not serve in loco parentis. Parents and caregivers, not library staff, are responsible for the behavior and supervision of children in the library and the resources they access. LBCC Library provides unfiltered access to the internet.
• Children, like all patrons, are expected to abide by our Code of Conduct.

For information about LBCC policies in locations other than the Library, please refer to AR 1035-01.

Code of Conduct

LBCC Library users and staff have a shared responsibility for making the library a safe and pleasant place for studying, research, and collaboration. We have certain expectations for conduct within the library (listed below), which are designed to create a positive environment. Please consider the type of experiences you hope to have in our library and what steps you can take to ensure that other library users also enjoy such experiences.

• We welcome students, staff, faculty, and community members to use library resources and enjoy the library space. We expect all library users to adhere to LBCC Administrative Rules.
• We appreciate your assistance in making the LBCC Library a welcoming place for all. Please be courteous toward fellow library users and staff.
• Many library users appreciate the library’s quiet spaces for study. We ask that the further you get in the library, the quieter you be. There should be minimal talking in marked quiet areas. For more information please see the Quiet Policy.
• Cell phones are allowed in the library. We ask that all sounds and ringers are silenced and that appropriate quiet policy rules are followed.
• Please provide photo identification each time you wish to check out library materials to maintain the security of your library records.
• If the security gate alarm goes off as you are leaving the library, please return to the circulation desk. One of your items may not have been checked out properly, and we appreciate your cooperation in keeping our circulation records accurate.
• We provide scanners and photocopiers for your convenience. We ask that you limit your use of the book scanner to 10 minutes, and that you make yourself familiar with applicable Copyright guidelines.
• When using library computers be mindful of others who are waiting. In certain circumstances, LBCC Library staff might ask you to move to another computer.
• You and your children are welcome in the library. Please supervise your children at all times.
• The library is often a busy place, and library staff cannot be responsible for your personal property. Please do not leave items unattended. Lockers are available both in the Library and the Learning Center.
• If a library staff member approaches you with a concern about your conduct, please be willing to work with the staff member to resolve the issue.
• Library users who violate the code of conduct may be subject to disciplinary action.

Thank you for abiding by the Code of Conduct. If you have any questions, or concerns please feel free to visit us, contact us (see above), or fill out a suggestion form (found at the Circulation Desk).

Programs Policy

Standards for programs at the LBCC Library

The moderator or organizer of the program must meet with at least one of the librarians to discuss how they plan to meet these standards prior to the event.

1. The program must be relevant to the library’s mission and goals.
2. The moderator or organizer of the event must clearly identify the program's focus and perspectives at the beginning of the program.
3. The moderator or organizer of the event must clearly state the program’s ground rules at the beginning of any program that invites discussion.
   • The choice of ground rules is left to the moderator/organizer, but the rules must be created with the intent of reducing and constructively addressing personal attacks against individuals and groups.
   • We have provided example sets of ground rules below.

Materials Selection Policy

The library collection is not only a set of books, media, and online materials, but is a reflection of both the ever-changing instruction offered at LBCC and interests of library users. As a result, the resources must be continually evaluated, new resources selected and added, and resources that are outdated, damaged, or no longer relevant to the curriculum removed from the collection. These guidelines and criteria themselves must be continually evaluated and revised to reflect the changing needs of the students and faculty of LBCC.

The library supports the American Library Association's Bill of Rights and the concept of intellectual freedom. The library respects and complies with applicable U. S. copyright laws, and is committed to providing resources, services and an environment that support the mission, goals and curriculum of the college.

Responsibility for Selection

The librarians are responsible for purchase decisions based on the library mission and goals and on the following guidelines and criteria. Faculty and staff of the college recommend to librarians curriculum-related resources that will support their programs or will be needed for course assignments and research. These curricular requests have priority consideration. Student requests for resources are welcomed and solicited. In those subject areas not represented by curriculum, but necessary to maintain a balanced and complete collection or access, the librarians shall be responsible for selecting resources. The Dean of Academic Development and Library Services has the final responsibility for maintaining and developing the library collection.

General Evaluation Criteria Relating to All Types of Resources

Each resource is considered in terms of its own merit and usefulness to the persons using the library from any location. For all resources added or accessed, the following general criteria are considered:

• quality of content
• appeal to the interests and needs of the campus community
• permanent value as source materials
• relation to specific courses of instruction
• contemporary significance (relevance to today)
• accuracy
• currency
• objectivity
• skill, competence, and purpose of the author
• relations to other materials and existing areas of coverage in order to maintain a balanced collection

A resource need not meet all these criteria to be acceptable, but all are considered.

Print, Non-Print Media and Online Resources

Print Resources

Print resources are defined as books, periodicals, maps, pamphlets, government documents, newspapers, and microfilm copies of materials. Reviews in professionally recognized book review periodicals such as Choice and Library Journal, as well as reviews in reputable online sources, are used for selection of many of the print resources. Selection of resources in areas relating to the professional technical classes is often made from advertisements and reviews in trade and professional journals. Often only a direct mail advertisement announces the publication of a title and reviews are rarely available. When adding books, the librarian and/or faculty members exercise a great deal of judgment and evaluate the existing library resources.

Non-print media and online resources

Non-print media resources are defined as DVDs, videos, CDs, slides, computer software, CD-ROMs, or combinations of any of these. Non-print media resources, purchased by Media Services, are usually added as direct support to class or course instruction on the recommendation of the faculty.

Online resources are defined as items or sites requiring computerized access, resources such as eBooks, periodical databases, and websites. Internet resources may be selected for inclusion in the Library Information Lab or the Library sites to provide organized access to a selection of academically relevant sources.

These resources, selected mainly by the librarians, the Manager of Media Services, the library computer lab specialist, and interested faculty are included based on criteria comparable to those used when considering the addition of resources to the traditional collection. The primary criteria for the selection of these resources is the extent to which it is relevant to the curriculum, improves the overall library collection and/or enhances the library's access to information. Guidelines for selecting information sources address general considerations, product considerations, vendor considerations, and technical considerations. Specific quality indicators are sought, such as: reliable, accurate, peer-reviewed, reputable authorship, consistently available, well-organized, regularly- maintained (i.e. current), and freely accessible to the LBCC community. Also, responsibility for the resources is identified in the resources and the integrity of any original source is reasonably preserved. Some of the resources (e.g. databases) may be restricted to members of the LBCC community because of agreements with database vendors.

Collection Development and Maintenance

Responsibility for selecting resources for withdrawal lies with the librarians, and the faculty in the relevant subject discipline. Librarians strongly encourage the faculty to review their subject areas to identify items which should be removed from the collection. In those subject areas not represented by curriculum, the librarians shall be responsible for selecting resources for removal from the collection.

Stolen, Missing, Long Overdue Resources and Replacements

Because they are sometimes returned, acquiring replacements for these resources does not always occur immediately. If the lost material is in high demand, replacement copies are acquired as soon as the loss is discovered, even though it may mean that two copies may eventually be available. In general, the evaluation criteria listed above as well as usage statistics are considered on a title-by-title basis.

Worn or Damaged Resources

Replacement of materials too worn or damaged to be repaired is made only after the title is again evaluated as to its usefulness to the collection, and usage statistics are considered. Replacements do not automatically occur, especially if newer editions are available - or more current, superior resources - are in print.

Challenges to Library Resources

Whenever any person using the library objects to the presence or absence of any library resource, the complaint is given a fair hearing. Resources subject to complaint are not removed from use pending final action. All complaints are referred immediately to the Library Department Chair who will discuss the matter with the complainant.

The following outlines the process that is followed when the LBCC Library receives formal request for removal or addition of library resources:

1. The complainant is asked to fill out the Request for Reconsideration and Removal of Library Resources form  so that formal consideration of the complaint may be made.
2. The Library Department Chair and librarians examine the resource in question. The librarians read reviews, and use data, professional judgment and standards, and the Library's Collection Development policy to evaluate the resource.
3. The Library Department Chair decides whether or not to add, withdraw, or restrict the resource in question and writes to the complainant and the Library and Learning Center Director giving the reasons for the decision.

 

General Categories of Materials

Quiet Policy

Does the Library have a quiet policy? Why is it sometimes noisy?

Historically, reading and research have been viewed as solitary activities. Libraries restricted noise to protect the concentration of those using the library for these purposes. This is still true, and we affirm the principle that libraries need quiet, comfortable places for reading, writing, and contemplation.

The modern academic library has more roles, however.  Classes are taught, meetings are held, and students consult with reference librarians and computer specialists.  Students and faculty meet and socialize.  Students work in groups on academic and co-curricular projects.  These activities, while not necessarily noisy, are not completely quiet.

To accommodate the need for both individual and collaborative study, three zones have been designated within the LBCC library. Different parts of the library are assigned to one of these zones. These designations will help library users with their  expectations about noise levels in different parts of the library, so that their experience can be useful and pleasant.

(Adapted from Kenyon College Library’s Library Quiet Policy)

Library Quiet Zones

The library provides an environment that is comfortable, inviting and conducive to study. To accommodate the needs for individual and collaborative study, research and public service activities, the Library has established the following guidelines for all users.

There are three main areas with corresponding noise levels:

What Should I Do If the Library Is Too loud?

If people around you are disturbing or distracting you, you may ask them to be quieter. If you are not comfortable doing this - or if individuals do not comply - these problems need to be brought to the attention of library staff who will follow-up to address them. Also, if the general noise level in the library is unacceptable, please direct your complaint to library staff. There are ear plugs available for your use as well. Please feel free to ask for them or pick them up at the Circulation Counter.

If you are dissatisfied with the noise level where you are seated, staff may suggest an appropriate area of the library.

Copyright

Patrons are responsible for any infringement of copyright law (Title 17 US Code). You're accountable for complying with the law when you work with copyrighted materials. You can find some general guidelines for copyright and fair use in the Library's Copyright Guide. You can also contact us (see above) for more information about copyright and fair use. Librarians can also help you find and understand how to use library-licensed and open educational resources (OER).