Library Policies

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  Current CIU Faculty, Staff and Students:

No charge. You will need a CIU ID card or a valid picture ID (i.e. driver’s license) to borrow.

  CIU Alumni and former Faculty and Staff:

$15.00 charge for 10 year borrowing privileges. You will need a valid picture ID (i.e. driver’s license) to borrow materials.

  Ben Lippen Faculty and Staff:

No charge. You will need a valid picture ID (i.e. driver’s license) to borrow materials. 

  Community Patrons:

$15.00 for 1 year borrowing privileges. You will need a valid picture ID (i.e. driver’s license) to borrow materials.

Food and Drink Policy

Drinks are permitted in the library only in covered containers. Snack food (only) is allowed when following these guidelines: Avoid snacks that may disturb other patrons with either noise or smell. You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself. Please keep food and drinks away from the computers. You will be responsible for paying for any damage to library-owned materials.

Photocopiers

Photocopiers are available in the Library.

CIU Students may directly operate a copier by logging in using their student log-in information. The charge is $.02 for black and white copies and $.05 for color copies and will be deducted from their printing balance.

Library Donations Policy

The Library welcomes gifts of materials that assist in the accomplishment of its mission, goals and objectives. Gifts and donations will be accepted in accordance with the selection policy guidelines that govern the selection of purchased materials, and in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. Items must be clean and free of all dust, dirt, mildew, and water damage

2. Items must be free of ink or highlighter underlining or writing

3. Items must be free of musty, dirty or mildew odor

4. Textbooks and encyclopedias will not be accepted

*The library does not accept donations of items that have been stored in basements, garage or attics.

The Library retains the right to decline any donation. Gifts become the property of the Library and may be sold, donated or disposed of as determined by Library staff if they are not added to the collection. The use of funds resulting from the sale of donated items will be determined by the Library Director.

Circulation Policies

Loan Periods and Limits

  • Books and media sets, 21 days
  • Individual media items (videos, audiocassettes, etc), 7 days
  • Periodicals (current and bound), 3 days - Cannot be taken out of the library
  • Reference materials -do not circulate

In order to maximize availability and diminish the possibility of excessive loss, the following regulations apply:

  1. No more than 20 items may be held by a single borrower at any given time. This limit refers to accumulated totals from checkouts over a period of time, as well as same day checkouts. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Circulation Supervisor.
  2. Overdue fines and replacement costs for damaged and/or lost items are the sole responsibility of the individual who checks out the item.
  3. Individuals should not borrow materials from the Library for the purpose of loaning to others.
  4. Check out dates for full-time teaching faculty members will be for extended periods of time. However, the library reserves the right to recall an extended check out when necessary.
  5. Borrowing privileges will be suspended for a patron who has outstanding debt of overdue fines and/or replacement costs. Privileges may be reinstated when the bill is paid in full.

Missing Items

If a book is not on the shelf, please inform library staff. We will conduct a search and contact you when the item is located.

Overdue Fines & Fees

Fines are calculated at $.10/day per item. Up to $15.00 in late fines may also be charged. Reserve items are fined at $.50/hour or $3.75 per day.

Renewals

An item may be renewed twice unless it has been requested by another patron. To renew, a list of call numbers must be provided by the borrower. Renewal options include:

  • Library Website - log in to your library account to renew items
  • Email renew@ciu.edu
  • Phone (803) 807-5109
  • In Person at the Service Desk

Returns

A book drop is available at the service desk while the library is open. An after-hours book drop is available outside to the right of the library’s front entrance.

Holds

Items that are checked out may be placed on hold. These items cannot be renewed by the current borrower. You will receive notification when the item has been returned if contact information has been provided. The name of the borrower cannot be divulged for any reason. Items are held for one (1) week.

Lost, Unreturned, or Damaged Items

In order to maintain the integrity of the G. Allen Fleece Library catalog holdings, the following policies will be in effect for lost, unreturned or damaged items:

  1. Unreturned items will be considered lost after being considered overdue for 3 months. The patron will be billed for the cost of replacement at that time.
  2. A charge of $50 will be assessed for each lost/unreturned item. This will be in addition to whatever fine penalties have been assessed on the item.
  3. An overdue charge of ten cents per day (excluding Sunday) will be assessed on all overdue items. The maximum fine will be $15.
  4. Damages to checked out items will be assessed by the Circulation Supervisor for possible replacement costs. Any resulting charges will be the responsibility of the last person to check out the item.

Reserves

Items are placed on reserve at the Circulation Desk by instructors for use by class members. Reserve items are available only to students and faculty. A complete listing of items on reserve can be found by searching the catalog.

Collection Development Policies

Responsibility for Selection

The selection of materials for the Fleece Library involves decision-making by teaching faculty members as well as librarians. Faculty, other library staff and the Library Director supply suggested resources which are obtained within the restrictions of the materials budget for the Library.  Suggestions from students are also considered.  Donations may be made to the Library, in which case library staff will decide whether or not to add the items to the collection, based upon the same principles governing the selection of purchased materials.

Periodicals

  Decisions concerning periodicals will be based upon the following criteria:

  •  Cost
  •  Whether or not it is indexed
  •  Its availability in an electronic database already in use in the library, or an online version
  •  Library shelf space available

  Further clarification can be found in Addendum #1, Fleece Library Periodical Decision Matrix.

Electronic Resources

Decisions concerning electronic resources are based on the same basic criteria as for print material.  In addition, the following criteria are taken under consideration:

  1. Cost
  2. Searching capabilities (i.e., ease of use)
  3. Other databases already in use covering the same subject matter

Criteria for Selection

The selection of materials in all formats will be based upon the following basic criteria, with the recognition that this is a subjective decision-making process and therefore cannot always be followed “to the letter.”  These criteria do, however, balance one another.  They are not intended as specific rules for all circumstances.  They are designed to articulate the characteristics that should be considered in making a decision to purchase an item or retain a donation.   

1. Relevance to the academic program 

the degree of connection between the content of an item and the content of the curriculum of the University. 

2. Usefulness to the academic program

the likelihood that the material will be used in the current and/or future curriculum.

3. Importance of the item within its field of study

A. The reputation of the author and /or publisher of the work,

B. The uniqueness of its contribution to the subject matter

C. The University faculty member(s) opinion(s) of its value.

4. Intellectual quality

A. Accuracy of the material

B. Currency

Book reviews and faculty opinion are helpful in this decision.

5. Intellectual level

The content of the work should be adequate to the level of the students who will be using the material.