Library Policies

The Library Code of Conduct supplements but does not replace the Student Conduct Code as printed in the student handbook. The Library administration, faculty and staff are fully authorized to interpret these guidelines and apply them to patron behavior as the situation warrants.

Any activity that interferes with the rights of other patrons to use the Library, or that is potentially harmful to oneself or library users, staff, the facility, or our resources, is considered disruptive or unacceptable. All library users have the right to read, write and reflect in a safe, quiet and clean environment. In order to protect these rights the Library staff enforces the following policies:

Quiet Study Area

The second floor of the Library (which is the 3rd floor of F building) is a designated Quiet Study Area. Please refrain from:

• Cell phone usage of any kind
• Socializing
• Using headphones at a level of volume audible to others

Persons disrupting the Library’s quiet atmosphere will be asked to cease such activity, use a group study room, or leave the Library.

Cell Phones in the Library:

All cell phone usage in the Library should be kept to a minimum. It is expected that you will consider the disruption that the use of a cell phone may cause to others who may be trying to study. If you must be on a call, choose a non-sounding setting device or set your ring at the lowest level of sound. Keep your conversations short and your voice low enough to ensure that the sound does not carry to others around you.

For your safety and the safety of others:

• Library patrons are requested to have valid identification with them at all times.
• Children 14 and younger must be directly supervised by an adult. Unaccompanied children will be reported to Public Safety after reasonable attempts have been made to contact the parent or guardian. The Harper College library accepts no liability or responsibility for the safety of children in the Library.
• Keep personal items secure at all times. Belongings found unattended will be given to Public Safety.
• Patrons must wear shoes, shirts, and attire appropriate to a public setting.
• Library entrances, exits, and aisles must remain open.
• Do not run, jump, shove or throw any object under any circumstance in the Library.
• Please be respectful of library materials and furniture.
• Library employees reserve the right to wake sleeping persons.

Please respect Library materials, facilities and furnishings:

• Library property may only be removed from the building with authorization through established lending procedures. The Library reserves the right to inspect all parcels for library materials.
• Do not write on or otherwise damage library property including: books, walls, furniture, computer equipment and facilities. Theft or vandalism of library property will be prosecuted.
• Nonpublic areas of the Library may only be entered with permission.
• Solicitation and loitering on library property is prohibited.

Library patrons should follow the posted guidelines for computer and group study room use.

The Harper College Library Food Policy is designed to maintain a clean and inviting environment for all users and to encourage personal responsibility and respect for library materials, furnishings, space, equipment, and technology.  To promote a welcoming environment, the policy is designed to protect the substantial investment that has been made on library resources and space.

Rationale

Food and beverages can damage library resources, equipment, technology, and furnishings.

Food and beverage residue attracts insects and rodents.

Food and beverage sounds and odors may be distracting to other library visitors.

Students and other visitors may need to consume a beverage while studying, conducting research, or working on an assignment in the Library. 

Policy Goals

The Food Policy is created with the following goals in mind:

• To create a welcoming, study-friendly, productive environment;
• To support an environment of mutual respect;
• To respect Library employees and Harper College staff;
• To maintain the beauty, condition, and safety of our resources and renovated building;
• To insure monies can be used to purchase new resources, equipment, and technology instead of being used to replace items damaged by food and beverage;
• To adhere to campus recycling standards;
• To protect the library collections and facilities from pests and molds;
• To help maintain a clean and safe work environment for all.

Guidelines

In order to conserve library resources, maintain the condition of the library space, and be considerate of library users and employees, we ask that you be aware of the following guidelines:

Beverages must be in covered, sturdy containers.

Food and snacks are not allowed in the Library and should be eaten in food-friendly areas on campus. 

Covered beverages are permitted in the instruction classrooms and study rooms.

The following areas in the Library must be free of food and beverage at all times.  These areas include: the makerspace, archives, microfilm room, book stacks.

Unattended food/beverages are subject to being disposed of by library staff.

Food deliveries are not permitted.

Users are liable for any damage caused by their food or beverage.

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted anywhere in the library

The Library reserves the right to ask any visitor to remove their food/beverage from the library if it is deemed in violation of the Food Policy

Please clean up spills right away to avoid damage and let a library employee know if a spill requires specialized attention.

Please be sure to put food trash and recyclables in proper waste containers.

Leave no trace.  It is an individual’s responsibility to clean up after themselves.  The areas should be left in the same or better condition in which it was found.  Please refrain from wiping crumbs onto the floor as this can attract ants.

Please plan ahead and eat your meals before you visit the library.

 Respect Yourself – Respect Others – Respect the Library

Welcome to our Library!

Visit the Library anytime during our open building hours.

Harper College district residents over the age of 14 are eligible to receive borrowing privileges.

To request a Harper College Library account, please visit the Library or complete the District Borrower form here.

Your library account will be renewed yearly with proof of residency.

Borrowing policies:

• District residents can borrow a maximum of 10 items at a time.
• Books, DVDs, and CDs are all available for check-out
• Due to copyright and vendor restrictions, off campus database usage and interlibrary loan are not available to district residents.

Not sure if you are in Harper’s district? Click here for more information on residency.

Books: 4 weeks (2 renewals)

Magazines: 2 weeks (1 renewal)

CDs: 1 week (2 renewals)

DVDs and Blu-ray: 4 week (1 renewal)

Reserve Items: 2 hours, Library use only

Newspapers: Library use only

Reference Books: Library use only

Calculators: 1 day (can be taken out of the Library)

Headphones: 2 hours, Library use only

Laptops: 3 hours, Library use only

Books: 4 weeks (2 renewals)

Magazines: 2 weeks (1 renewal)

CDs: 1 week (2 renewals)

DVDs and Blu-ray: 4 week (1 renewal)

Newspapers: Library use only

Reference Books: Library use only

Calculators: 3 hours

Headphones: 2 hours, Library use only

Books: 8 weeks (2 renewals)

Magazines: 2 weeks (1 renewal)

CDs: 1 week (2 renewals)

DVDs and Blu-ray: 8 week (1 renewal)

Reserve Items: 2 hours, Library use only

Newspapers: Library use only

Reference Books: Library use only

Calculators: 3 hours (can be taken out of the Library)

Headphones: 2 hours, Library use only

Laptops: 3 hours, Library use only

The library does not assess overdue fines. 

If left unreturned, replacement costs are still assessed for lost items.

Study Rooms are a shared resource intended to support student success.  Please be conscientious of others and share these rooms in a spirit of cooperation.  Study Rooms provide space for students to engage in collaborative work or individual study and are to be used for academic purposes (homework, studying).  Study Rooms are not to be used for social gatherings, classes, meetings, lectures, office hours, or for-profit purposes.   

By reserving a Study Room, you understand and agree to the following:

Reservations

• You will be asked for a Harper ID or other photo ID upon check-in.
• Harper College students are given priority for study room use. 
• Community members may use a Study Room if one is available however, they will be asked to leave the room if a Harper College student requests a room.
• Only Harper College students can make advanced reservations for study rooms.
• To reserve a room in advance, you must be enrolled in the current semester.
• Study Rooms may be reserved up to 14 days in advance.
• Reservations are not transferable.
• You will have access to the Study Room during the period of your reservation except in the case of unforeseen circumstances (e.g. a fire drill, unexpected closing, etc.).
• You may stay longer in the room if there is no reservation after your reservation, and the room is not needed by another Harper College student.
• When the next reservation arrives, please promptly leave the room.
• Individuals and groups are limited to requesting a maximum of 2 hours per day across all study rooms.  Students may not monopolize a room by shifting the reservation from the name of one student to another in the same group.
• If you or someone from your group does not check-in at the desk within 15 minutes after the reservation begins, the room will be made available to other students.
• Rooms left unattended for more than 15 minutes will be cleared, and the room will be made available to other Harper College students. Belongings left behind will be turned over to Public Safety.
• Study Rooms must be vacated promptly at closing.
• Study Rooms are only available during the library’s hours of operation.

Space

• Study Rooms are not soundproof. Please be mindful of others and keep noise at a moderate level.
• Study Room capacity may not exceed the capacity posted on the library’s website.
• When you are done with the Study Room, please throw out garbage, straighten furniture, and return borrowed supplies to the front desk.
• If you see a problem or issue in the Study Room, let library staff know.
• Signs, flyers, etc., cannot be posted in the Study Room.
• Furniture and equipment are not to be moved in or out of the Study Room unless authorized by a library staff member.
• Study Room technology should not be unplugged or otherwise altered.
• Due to ADA regulations and safety, windows and doors must remain unblocked, and the use of appliances (e.g., heaters, coffee makers) is prohibited.
• If damage occurs to the room, the person whose name is on the reservation will be held accountable for the damage.

Other

• If Harper College employees need to use space, please contact the library at circ@harpercollege.edu.
• The Harper College Code of Conduct (outlined in the Student Handbook) is observed in all library spaces, including Study Rooms. Library staff have the right to refuse the use of a rooms if the Code of Conduct or other policies are violated.
• This policy is subject to change at any time.  By using a Study Room, you are agreeing to the current terms and conditions. 

Respect Others – Respect Yourself – Respect the Space

The library works to provide open access to information, ideas, and resources.  This work extends to displays, exhibits, artwork, programs, and decorations.  The library strives to include a wide spectrum of opinions and viewpoints and works to appeal to a range of ages, levels, interests, and needs.

Displays, exhibits, artwork, programs, and decorations are intended to:

• promote the library collection
• educate the community on various topics and spark interest
• increase awareness about collections, programs, resources, and services

Displays, exhibits, artwork, programs, and decorations will not exclude topics or materials solely because they may be considered controversial or unfavorable.

Displays, exhibits, artwork, programs, and decorations will not be altered because of disapproval.

Views and opinions expressed in the content do not constitute endorsement.

If campus entities are interested in collaborating with the library, the library will try to accommodate the request.  This may depend on availability of space; availability of materials; presentation quality; budget; connection to campus happenings; historical, cultural, or educational significance; relation to library collections, resources, and programs; and other considerations. 

The library may collaborate with other entities on campus.

The library does not accept responsibility for ensuring that all points of view are represented in a single display, exhibit, artwork, program, or decoration. 

Challenges to displays, exhibits, artwork, programs, and decorations infringe upon access to information and intellectual freedom, suppress perspectives and voices and do not align with the mission of libraries.

The Harper College Library has two classrooms (F220 and F221). Classrooms are primarily designated for library use, including instruction, programs, staff use, etc. However, exceptions may be made for groups engaged in independent academic research activities that require library resources. If you have questions, contact lrcrefdk@harpercollege.edu.

All Reading Room users have the right to read, write and reflect in a safe, quiet and clean environment. In order to protect these rights the Learning and Career Center Reading Room staff enforces the policies of the main campus Library.

Additionally, children under age 14 using the Reading Room must be quiet and directly supervised by a person 14 years of age or older. Unaccompanied children will be reported to Learning and Career Center Public Safety after reasonable attempts have been made to contact the parent or guardian.

The Harper College Learning and Career Center Reading Room accepts no liability or responsibility for the safety of children in the Reading Room.

The Harper College Library is dedicated to the principle of free access and flow of all information and material to our patrons. We regard the reason and rationale of material use a private matter. Library records are for the sole purpose of protecting public property and are not to be used directly or indirectly to identify the types of materials or services used by individual Library patrons.

The efforts of any outside agency to obtain any circulation records, patron lists, or information about a patron will be considered an invasion of privacy. Such an attempt will also be viewed as a violation of the principles of academic freedom.

Any individual or agency attempting to obtain information concerning Library patrons should be referred immediately to the circulation person in charge who will discuss the matter with the Library Dean. Under no circumstance will information be provided without a warrant. Moreover, any costs incurred by the Library in any such search through patron Library records, even under court order, shall be chargeable to the agency demanding such a search. The above pertains until contrary legislation is enacted.

Library patrons who provide their name, Library card number and address, can receive the following information:

• The number of items and titles on loan.
• The title of a requested item when it becomes available.
• Outstanding charges on the record.
• No other information regarding a patron's Library record will be given over the telephone.

Failure to cooperate with the direction of library staff regarding disruptions of any kind, or knowingly giving false information, will result in notifying Public Safety. Patrons who fail to comply with the Library Code of Conduct may be asked to provide some form of proper identification, which will be copied for documentation. Anyone who violates the Code is subject to removal from the building, restriction of library privileges, and may be reported in accord with the Student Conduct Code.