Weaver library: Policies

The MSU-Great Falls Campus Library will accept requests for Affiliate Faculty Status to allow retired faculty and staff access to library resources and services, including electronic resources and proxy server services.

To be eligible for Affiliate Status, you must:

1. Be retired from the MSU—Great Falls College of Technology.
   
   
2. Still be affiliated in some way with your department. For example, you might be teaching part-time, doing consulting with the department, or volunteering for the College.
   
   
3. Complete a Change of Status form and obtain the signatures of your department chair and the Dean.
   
   
4. Return your completed form to the Senior Librarian so that your Affiliate Faculty status can be initiated.

Library patrons may appeal overdue and/or lost book fines with the Senior Librarian. Appeals must be made within 30 days of incurring the fine. To initiate an appeal, a patron must complete a fine/lost book appeal form (available at the library).

Before filing an appeal, the patron should first have talked to library staff about the fine in question in order to clarify the reason for the fine. If, at that time, the patron is still concerned about the fine, s/he should file an appeal.

Patrons who wish to appeal are still responsible for the borrowed item(s). Fines can continue to accrue if the item has not been returned.

Fine appeals will not generally be considered for any of the following reasons:

1. Any fine or charge that has been referred to the Business Office.
   
   
2. Lack of familiarity with borrower policies. Circulation information is posted at the checkout desk and on the library’s web site.
   
   
3. Items returned for a patron by another person.
   
   
4. Items returned to another library.
   
   
5. The patron lent a checked out item to someone else.
   
   
6. The patron has disregarded a request for a recalled book.

After completing a fine/lost book appeal form, the patron must make an appointment to meet with the Senior Librarian regarding the appeal. The Senior Librarian may uphold, waive, or reduce the fine. A decision will be made and communicated with the patron within 30 days of the filing of an appeal.

 

Children under the age of 14 are not allowed in the library unattended and may not use library computers independently but may use them under the supervision of a parent or guardian. This is in agreement with College policy which states "Minor children of students may not be without adult supervision in any part of the building."

See the College catalog for more information.

 

Residents of Montana age 18 and older who are not students, faculty, or staff of MSU-Great Falls may become Community Borrowers. In order to apply for a Community Borrower's Card, you must present photo identification and proof of residency (such as a utility bill) in Montana. The Library asks that borrowers observe library regulations and assume the responsibilities that are inherent in these privileges.

1. Community Borrower Cards are issued for one year, but may be renewed. Your Borrower's Card is necessary to check out library materials. Lost cards should be reported promptly. A borrower is responsible for all items checked out on his/her card.
   
   
2. Community borrowers are limited to 5 items checked out at a time. Materials under heavy demand by MSU-Great Falls students and/or faculty may be withheld or recalled at the librarian's discretion. Borrowed items may be renewed once unless someone else has requested their use. Renewals may be done in person or over the phone.
   
   
3. Circulating books in the general collection may be checked out for a period of 3 weeks. AV materials circulate for 3 days. The most recent issues of periodicals do not circulate, but may be used in the library. Back issues of journals, magazines and newspapers circulate for 3 days. All items are subject to recall after 3 weeks, if requested by another patron.
   
   
4. Fines for 3-week loan items and periodicals are assessed at $0.50 per day/per item. Overdue AV materials accrue at $2.00 per item/per day.
   
   
5. A patron is responsible for damages to library materials while checked out under his/her account. Damaged items may be assessed a fine, depending on the extent of damage. An item returned in such a condition that it must be replaced will be treated as lost (see below). All damaged items remain the property of the library.
   
   
6. Late materials accruing fines up to $25.00 will be considered lost. Library materials more than 30 days overdue are also considered lost. If an item is lost, you will be billed the replacement cost of the item plus a $20.00 processing fee. If the item is no longer in print, you will be billed the average cost for a book/video in the same general subject area, plus the $20.00 processing fee. Lost material bills are transferred to the Business Office for collection.
   
   
7. Borrowing privileges may be revoked for failure to return items, pay fines, or pay for lost materials.

 

All currently enrolled MSU—Great Falls distance students are allowed use of library materials, under the following guidelines:

1. Students phoning or e-mailing requests for materials must provide the following information in order for requests to be filled: name, student ID number, address, phone number and e-mail address. Students coming to the library to check out materials will need a student ID or a photo ID and proof of current registration. Students who reside outside of Montana should call or email to make arrangements for the delivery of materials.
   
   
2. Circulating books in the general collection may be checked out for a period of 3 weeks. AV materials circulate for 3 days. All items are renewable once if they are not requested by another patron. Renewals may be made in person, by phone, or by email; please contact us in advance of the due date to avoid fines. All items are subject to recall after 3 weeks, if requested by another patron. A week is added to the circulation time for any item mailed to a distance student. The library pays postage one-way; the borrower is responsible for return postage.
   
   
3. Items borrowed through interlibrary loan are subject to the circulation times of the lending library and may differ from those of MSU–GF.
   
   
4. Journal articles will usually be photocopied for distance students. We can also photocopy information from resources that do not circulate, such as reference books. Photocopies do not need to be returned to the library.
   
   
5. Fines for 3-week loan items are assessed at $0.50 per day/per item. Overdue interlibrary loans accrue at $1.00 per day. There is no maximum fine for interlibrary loan items. Overdue AV materials accrue at $2.00 per item/per day. Fines will also be assessed for damaged items.
   
   
6. A patron is responsible for damages to library materials while checked out under his/her account. Damaged items may be assessed a fine, depending on the extent of damage. An item returned in such a condition that it must be replaced will be treated as lost (see below). All damaged items remain the property of the library.
   
   
7. At the end of each semester, unpaid fines will be transferred to the Business Office for collection. The Business Office will add the amount due to your student account and may withhold academic transcripts and other university services from you until the amount is paid in full.
   
   
8. Late materials accruing fines up to $25.00 will be considered lost. Library materials more than 30 days overdue are also considered lost. If an item is lost, you will be billed the replacement cost of the item plus a $20.00 processing fee. If the item is no longer in print, you will be billed the average cost for a book/video in the same general subject area, plus the $20.00 processing fee. Lost material bills are transferred to the Business Office for collection. The Business Office will add the amount due to your student account and may withhold transcripts and other university services from you until the amount is paid in full.
   
   
9. Borrowing privileges will be suspended if your library fines accrue to $25.00, your bills are transferred to the Business Office, and/or recalled items and interlibrary loan materials are not returned on time.

 

MSU—Great Falls faculty and staff may use library materials under the following guidelines:

1. Please present your State of Montana ID Card or some other picture ID for checking out library materials. Student assistants will not know every faculty and staff member, and this will assure materials are properly checked out.
   
   
2. Circulating books in the general collection may be checked out for an academic semester. The due date is the last day of classes. AV materials may be checked out for 3 weeks. Periodicals, except for current issues, circulate for 3 days. All items may be renewed once. All items are subject to recall after 3 weeks, if requested by another patron. Faculty and staff may also check out usually restricted items (such as reference books, Montana college catalogs, and current periodicals) when needed for instruction or college business. Faculty who fail to return items after 1 renewal or who do not return recalled items will be assessed for a lost item. (see below)
   
   
3. A patron is responsible for damages to library materials while checked out under his/her account. Damaged items may be assessed a fine, depending on the extent of damage. An item returned in such a condition that it must be replaced will be treated as lost (see below). All damaged items remain the property of the library.
   
   
4. If an item is lost, the patron will be billed the replacement cost of the item plus a $20.00 processing fee. If the item is no longer in print, an average cost is calculated, plus the $20.00 processing fee.

 

All currently enrolled MSU-system graduate students are allowed use of library materials, under the following guidelines:

1. A current MSU Student ID is necessary to check out library materials.
   
   
2. Circulating books in the general collection may be checked out for an academic semester. The due date is the last day of classes. AV materials may be checked out for 3 weeks. Periodicals, except for current issues, circulate for 3 days. All items may be renewed once. All items are subject to recall after 3 weeks, if requested by another patron.
   
   
3. Fines for overdue books and periodicals are assessed at $0.50 per day/per item. Overdue reserve materials accrue at $2.00 per item/per hour, up to a daily maximum of $14.00 per item. Overdue interlibrary loans accrue at $1.00 per day. There is no maximum fine for interlibrary loan items. Overdue AV materials accrue at $2.00 per item/per day.
   
   
4. A patron is responsible for damages to library materials while checked out under his/her account. Damaged items may be assessed a fine, depending on the extent of damage. An item returned in such a condition that it must be replaced will be treated as lost (see below). All damaged items remain the property of the library.
   
   
5. At the end of each semester, unpaid fines will be transferred to the Business Office for collection. The Business Office will add the amount due to your student account and may withhold academic transcripts and other university services from you until the amount is paid in full.
   
   
6. Late materials accruing fines up to $25 will be considered lost. Library materials more than 30 days overdue are also considered lost. If an item is lost, you will be billed the replacement cost of the item plus a $20.00 processing fee. If the item is no longer in print, you will be billed the average cost for a book/video in the same general subject area, plus the $20.00 processing fee. If a periodical issue is no longer in print, you will be billed a flat $25 fee. Lost material bills are transferred to the Business Office for collection. The Business Office will add the amount due to your student account and may withhold academic transcripts and other university services from you until the amount is paid in full.
   
   
7. Borrowing privileges will be suspended if your library fines accrue to $25, your bills are transferred to the Business Office, and/or recalled items and interlibrary loan materials are not returned on time.

 

We ask that you adhere to the following policies regarding the use of the study rooms:

1. All requests for use are on a first come/first served basis.
   
   
2. The group study rooms are intended to be used by groups of 2 or more students.
   
   
3. Reservations are encouraged.

   All reservations should be made from 1 working day to 1 week in advance. " Walk-in" use will be accommodated based on scheduled use.
   
   The individual who reserves the room must accept responsibility for it.
   
   Reservations must be made, in person, by presenting a valid MSU ID at the Library circulation desk. Reservation requests are limited to 1 reservation per day or 2 reservations per week.

   Group study rooms may be reserved only by registered MSU students. Exceptions to this rule may be requested by contacting the MSU–GF Campus Library circulation desk 1 working day in advance. Exceptions may be granted based on expected student demand and are determined on a case-by-case basis.

   MSU–GF reserves the right to deny requests by non-students. MSU–GF Campus Library reserves the right to deny requests or cancel reservations when appropriate.

   Rooms can be reserved for up to 2 hours with the possibility of an additional 2 hour "renewal". Renewals are dependant upon scheduled use and may be denied.



4. Rooms not checked out 10 minutes after the start of the reservation period will be made available to other patrons. Failure to use reserved time may result in a denial of future reservations. Also, once you leave the study room, it is available for other students to use - your reservation is only valid as long as you occupy the room.
   
   
5. Do not leave unattended belongings in the study rooms. Unattended items may be removed and you may lose study room privileges. The Library assumes no responsibility for personal property left in the rooms. Any personal items found will be placed in the Library's lost and found.
   
   
6. Windows may not be obstructed.
   
   
7. Please clean up the room when you leave and report any problems to the library staff. If any damage or excessive mess is discovered after your use, you may be held responsible or lose study room privileges.

 

Laptop computers are available for check out at the MSU–Great Falls Library. These are equipped with wireless network cards which will allow for Internet access throughout the Library. Each laptop will be clearly marked with an MSU–Great Falls ownership symbol and will have a machine number, barcode and security tag.

Check out:

1. Users must agree to the terms of checkout by signing a Library Laptop Checkout Agreement. This includes assuming financial responsibility for the equipment.
   
   
2. Privileges will be revoked for any patron violating the use agreement. In addition, any blocks on a patron record (overdue fines, etc.) will also prohibit laptop borrowing.
   
   
3. A valid MSU ID card must be shown to check out a laptop.
   Community library users (courtesy borrowers) will not be eligible to check out laptop computers, but will be directed to use Library desktop computers.
   
   
4. Laptops will be checked out for 2 hours or until the Library closes, if that is less than 2 hours; one renewal may be allowed, depending on availability. Laptops should be returned 15 minutes before the Library closes. $2.00 per hour overdue fines will be accessed.
   
   
5. Power cords and external floppy drives will be checked out with laptops by request. Laptops will have a battery life of up to 3½ hours. Electrical outlets are available throughout the Library.

Laptop use:

1. Laptops are for use only in the Library and may not leave the Library.
   
   
2. Borrowers must agree to not leave a laptop unattended and to refrain from having food and/or drink around the unit.
   
   
3. Users must comply with MUS Board of Regents and MSUGF policies for computer and network use.
   
   
4. Borrowers are expected to refrain from installing, deleting, modifying, or otherwise altering any hardware, software or data on the laptops, including display and desktop configurations. Saving to an external pen drive is recommended, but files can be saved to a disk, emailed, or saved to assigned server storage space on the campus network.
   
   
5. Printing is available to laptop users. The default printer is the 4300 printer located in the computer lab.
   
   
6. Users should be aware that campus computers are not private or guaranteed secure and use of personal information should be kept to a minimum.
   
   
7. Users should immediately report any problems with a laptop to a Library staff member.
   
   
8. Each laptop must be returned to a Library staff member. Library staff will check each laptop in and complete the checkout agreement.

 

Patrons of the MSU–Great Falls Campus Library should expect a safe, secure, and comfortable environment conducive to study and research. To insure this kind of environment, the library expects its patrons to follow library and campus rules, policies, and procedures.

To maintain the library as a quiet, comfortable and safe space, the following conduct expectations will be enforced:

1. Cell phones need to be turned off in the library.  Excessive noise including loud conversations and cell phone use is not allowed.
   
   
2. Food and drink should be restricted to snack-type items at library tables, not at computer stations.
   
   
3. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult (as per college policy) and must remain with that adult; children under the age of 14 cannot work independently on a computer.
   
   
4. Computers are provided in the library for academic support. A patron should not tie up library or computer lab computers with non-academic activities and may be asked to relinquish his/her computer to another user.
   
   
5. Patrons who leave a work station or library table in such a condition that another user cannot use the space may have library use privileges revoked temporarily or permanently.
   
   
6. Exhibiting behaviors that are disruptive to other users or library staff members may result in a request to leave the library.

Right to Refuse Service

The library has an obligation to manage disruptive behaviors quickly and professionally The MSU–Great Falls Campus Library reserves the right to refuse service to library users who act in ways that disrupt other library users, library staff, or library facilities.  Such behaviors include:

1. refusal to follow library and campus rules and policies;
   
   
2. harassment of other library users or library staff;
   
   
3. personal hygiene issues that affect other library users, library staff, or library facilities;
   
   
4. threatening or violent behavior.

Any patron exhibiting such behavior will be asked to cease; continued violations may necessitate banning that patron from the library.  If the patron is a student, the violation may fall under the MSU-GF Student Conduct Code.

- Library polices
- Campus policies
- Student conduct policies
- MUS computer use policies

 

At the MSU–Great Falls Campus Library, there are books, copies of articles from periodicals, videotapes, and other materials that faculty members have reserved to support course work. Because these materials are in high demand, they may be used for limited amounts of time. The circulation period is determined by the instructor placing the item on reserve.

All materials on reserve are listed in the library catalog. To retrieve an item, find the OR number and bring it to the circulation desk.

1. A current MSU—GF Student ID is necessary to check out reserve materials.
   
   An MSU–GF student ID can be obtained from Student Services.
   
   
2. Reserve items check out for the amount of time set by the instructor. This time period is indicated on each item. Materials marked LIBRARY USE ONLY may not leave the library.
   
   
3. Checkouts are limited to 3 items per patron.
   
   
4. It is the responsibility of the borrower to return reserve material on time. Keeping a reserve item beyond the specified time may prevent other students from reading required material and is regarded as a serious academic offense. For this reason, fines for overdue reserve items are high:

   Fines for materials that circulate for 2 hours are $2.00 per hour/per item, up to a daily maximum of $14.00, until the item is returned.

   Fines for materials that circulate overnight or longer are $2.00 per day/per item, up to a daily maximum of $14.00, until the item is returned.

5. Renewing reserve materials is not allowed.
   
   
6. Borrowing privileges will be suspended if your library fines accrue to $25.00 and your bills will be transferred to the Business Office. At the end of each semester, all unpaid fines are sent to the Business Office. The Business Office will add the amount due to your student account and may withhold academic transcripts and other university services from you until the amount is paid in full.

 

All currently enrolled MSU students are allowed use of library materials, under the following guidelines:

1. A current MSU Student ID is necessary to check out library materials. An ID can be obtained from Admissions.
   
   
2. Circulating books in the general collection may be checked out for a period of 3 weeks. AV materials circulate for 3 days. The most recent issues of periodicals do not circulate, but may be used in the library. Back issues of journals, magazines and newspapers circulate for 3 days. All items are renewable once if they are not requested by another patron. Renewals may be made in person or by phone. All items are subject to recall after 3 weeks, if requested by another patron.
   
   
3. Fines for 3-week loan items and periodicals are assessed at $0.50 per day/per item. Overdue reserve materials accrue at $2.00 per item/per hour, up to a daily maximum of $14.00 per item. Overdue interlibrary loans accrue at $1.00 per day. There is no maximum fine for interlibrary loan items. Overdue AV materials accrue at $2.00 per item/per day.
   
   
4. A patron is responsible for damages to library materials while checked out under his/her account. Damaged items may be assessed a fine, depending on the extent of damage. An item returned in such a condition that it must be replaced will be treated as lost (see below). All damaged items remain the property of the library.
   
   
5. At the end of each semester, unpaid fines will be transferred to the Business Office for collection. The Business Office will add the amount due to your student account and may withhold academic transcripts and other university services from you until the amount is paid in full.
   
   
6. Late materials accruing fines up to $25.00 will be considered lost. Library materials more than 30 days overdue are also considered lost. If an item is lost, you will be billed the replacement cost of the item plus a $20.00 processing fee. If the item is no longer in print, you will be billed the average cost for a book/video in the same general subject area, plus the $20.00 processing fee. If a periodical issue is no longer in print, you will be billed a flat $25 fee. Lost material bills are transferred to the Business Office for collection. The Business Office will add the amount due to your student account and may withhold academic transcripts and other university services from you until the amount is paid in full.
   
   
7. Borrowing privileges will be suspended if your library fines accrue to $25.00, your bills are transferred to the Business Office, and/or recalled items and interlibrary loan materials are not returned on time.