FAQ: Friday Circulation policies, karma and you

FAQ: Friday

It’s not about the fines, it’s about good karma.

Circulating books, DVDs, CDs and other library materials is an honor system. The library honors your affiliation with Marian College and lets you check stuff out free of charge, and in turn the library expects you to honor the time limits on using those materials. All in all, it’s a very civilized situation. Until someone breaks the rules, that is.

Think about it – in general, libraries have one copy of a book, but there are thousands of people eligible to check out that book. We all have to share, that’s just how it is. But what happens when someone decides to be selfish? For instance, you need a book for a paper in your sociology class, but the book was checked out by someone else. That person keeps it longer than the stated circulation policy, and you are left hanging, waiting for the book to return. You are denied timely access to a resource that you are eligible to use, only because someone else has decided to hoard the resource. THEY MUST BE PUNISHED.

Okay, that’s a little harsh. But a system of fines is one way to reinforce the point that we all need to share. Sure, some may be willing to pay the fines, but many others understand that it’s not just one less latte that week. There is a larger picture – it’s free until you abuse the service, and if you abuse the service, you will be fined. It’s not warm and fuzzy, but it drives the point home.

Let’s talk circulation policies, so you know what rules you might be breaking.

Who may check out materials?

Marian College students, faculty and staff are all eligible to check out materials, provided they have a valid Marian College ID. A valid ID must be presented each time you check out materials.

Others affiliated with the college are also able to check out materials on a limited basis. These groups include Marian College alumni, members of the Indianapolis archdiocese, and students/faculty of PALNI member institutions. Please contact the library directly for information on borrowing privileges for these groups.

What items may be checked out?
Books in the circulating collection, compact discs, video and DVD recordings, and certain Course Reserves items.

Materials from the Reference collection, Archives, Special Collections, maps/atlases, microfiche/microfilm and Periodicals (current and bound) are not available for check out.

When/Where may items be checked out?
All check outs must be performed at the Circulation Desk, which is open when the library is open. If no one is at the desk, ring the service bell for assistance.

How long may items be checked out?

Books 21 days

CD, video and DVD recordings 7 days

Reserve items varies by item:

from 2 hours (readings) to one week (certain videos)

Note: As a courtesy, faculty and staff are permitted to check items out for an entire academic year. However, we encourage faculty and staff to return highly requested materials such as CD and DVD recordings as promptly as possible.

Renewals
You may renew an item once, after that the item must be returned to the library or fees will be assessed.

Fine schedule
For all the rebels in the crowd, this is what it’s going to cost you if you return library materials after the due date:

Books 10 cents per item, per day

CD/video/DVD 25 cents per item, per day

Course Reserves 25 cents per item, per hour or day (depends on loan period)

The library operates based on the assumption that library materials will be available to all eligible patrons, at one time or another. For that to happen, borrowers need to play by the rules, or pay the piper (so to speak – no one on the library staff is actually a piper). Buying replacement copies means we can’t buy new resources, so that is why we have replacement fees for lost library materials.

What goes around, comes around -- If you wish good library resources to come your way when you need them, do not hoard library resources. It’s good karma, plain and simple.