Library Policies

A San Juan College ID card must be presented in order to check out any library materials. Most books may be borrowed for 3 weeks. Residents 18 years and older who are not SJC students may obtain a SJC Library card by showing proof of a current San Juan County address. The self-check system may be used for all regular circulating materials.

Item Return

Please return materials on or before the specified due date so others may use them. Borrowed books may be returned to the book drop at the circulation desk or outside the Learning Commons.

Renewal

Patrons may renew their books one time, unless the item has been requested by another patron. Renewals may be done in person or over the phone. Overdue books are not renewable by phone.

Overdue Material

Fines are charged when materials are not returned by the designated due date or time. Costs are:

$.25 per day per book
$1.00 per hour for reserve materials
$1.00 per day for interlibrary loan materials
$1.00 per day for videos
$5.00 for lost or damaged materials, plus item cost

Patrons will not be allowed to check out materials until all fines have been paid at the circulation desk. San Juan College students will receive a sanction with the first overdue notice. Sanctions prohibit students from registering for classes and obtaining college transcripts. Sanctions will be cleared upon payment of fines. Fines will accrue up to $10.00 per material borrowed.

Lost or Damaged Materials

Lost or damaged materials will be charged according to the fee rate posted at the circulation desk.

The library is intended to be a place where all users can study, conduct research, browse books, use computers and generally go about their business in a non-threatening environment. Users are expected to behave in a courteous manner, respectful of the rights of others who require a quiet environment in which to study, use computers, read and write.

We expect patrons to respect other patrons’ use of the library for these purposes and to respect the library’s books, buildings, and other property. Any patron’s conduct which disrupts or interferes with other patrons’ proper use of the library or the library’s operations is unwelcome and prohibited.

Disruptive Behavior

Users who, by their behavior, persist in harassing or annoying others and thereby disrupt their ability to concentrate on their work will be given one warning regarding the specific behavior. If the behavior continues, disruptive patrons will be asked to leave the library for a length of time to be determined by a library department head. If upon return to the library, disruptive behavior continues, patron privileges may be revoked.

If library staff determines that the situation requires, campus safety or law enforcement may be called.

Behavior that is considered disruptive to the normal use of the library includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Loud or boisterous behavior including loud talking, shouting, running or fighting
• Unaccompanied children. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and must remain together at all times
• Belligerent or threatening behavior towards staff or other library users
• Behavior that makes it difficult or impossible for another patron to continue using the library
• Playing of audio equipment without headphones, including the library’s computers (Other patrons should not be able to hear these devices)
• Being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs, or selling, using, or possessing alcohol/illegal drugs

Food and Beverages

Food and beverages are permitted in the library – on a limited and tidy basis.

Library Computers

Library computers are in high demand and limited in availability. Patrons are discouraged from using these limited resources for large blocks of time. Library computers are primarily intended for research and study purposes. Patrons who wish to play computer games or use other digital media are encouraged to use campus computer labs.

Materials referred to in this policy statement may be defined as those items which are used to support and enrich the curriculum and that are selected for students, faculty and staff of the college and residents of the county.

Selection of materials, because of enlarging curriculum and the publishing of new materials, is a continuous process; therefore, materials are selected by qualified personnel consisting of instructors, librarians, and administrators through individual or committee study and recommendations.  The authority for the final selection resides with the Director of Library Services.  The Director will encourage faculty participation in both materials selection and withdrawal of obsolete materials.

Materials will be selected according to the following principles:

1. To provide materials that will enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities, and maturity levels of the students served.
2. To provide materials that will encourage personal and intellectual growth in knowledge, literary appreciation, diverse views and other intellectual stimulation.
3. To provide a background of information which will enable students to better make informed decisions.
4. To provide a variety of views on controversial issues so that students may develop the practice of critical reading and thinking.
5. To provide materials representative of many religious, ethnic, and cultural groups and their contributions to our American heritage.
6. To be guided by the principles of intellectual freedom in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users and mission statement of the library.

The following evaluative criteria will be used:

1. Materials which are educationally suitable and ones which are essential and appropriate for development of the subject.
2. Materials that have been well researched and thoughtful in presentation.
3. Materials which are considered to have literary aesthetic value.
4. Materials whose value is enduring and/or timely.
5. Authors should be considered competent and qualified in the field.
6. Materials dealing with controversial issues are represented by both sides of the issue in thoughtful manner.
7. Materials should be well-constructed and durable enough for library use.

Gifts

Materials donated or bequeathed to the library shall be evaluated and accepted according to the same criteria as materials purchased. All materials accepted shall become the property of the college and subject to the library’s rules of distribution, housing, and disposal. If gifts or bequests prove to be duplicates or materials already owned, the Director shall make arrangements to dispose of them in accordance with this policy.

Withdrawal of Materials

In consultation with appropriate personnel, the following materials may be withdrawn from the collection and discarded or exchanged:

1. Obsolete materials:  subjects that become dated quickly and outdated;
   Information that can be misleading; e.g., encyclopedias, directories, travel, geography, science, careers, medicine.
2. Superfluous duplicates.
3. Badly worn or defaced volumes for which there are suitable replacements;
   e.g., dirty, brittle or yellowed pages, books with missing pages or broken spines.
4. Materials not pertinent to the collection and that are not standard titles.
5. Materials no longer considered accurate or factual, and which have no historical value.
6. Materials reported lost and not recovered with two years will be marked withdrawn in the inventory records.

Censorship

The selection of library materials is predicated on the user’s right to read and freedom from censorship by others.  Many books are controversial, and any given item may offend some persons.  Selections for this library will not, however, be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the materials in relation to the building of the collection and to serving the interests of the readers.  The library holds censorship to be a purely individual matter and declares that while anyone is free choose one’s own reading material, one does not have the right to restrict the freedom of others.

Individuals questioning the appropriateness of certain materials for the college library should present their criticism, in writing, to the Director of Library Services.  The criticism should identify objectionable items in books, periodicals, or publications, and explain why you feel the item does not meet the library’s criteria for material selection.

The work as a whole should be considered, and not just statements or portions taken out of context.

The Circulation Desk is responsible for scheduling usage of the library study rooms (Room A: 6212 & Room B: 6214).

1. A valid SJC student ID is required to reserve a study room and borrow study room equipment, e.g. markers, keyboard, mouse.
2. Each reservation period is two hours with a maximum of two reservations per day.
3. The reservation holder must present themselves at the circulation desk to claim the reservation and be present in the study room throughout the reservation period, except for brief breaks.
4. Reservations are held for 10 minutes, then released if unclaimed.
5. When not reserved, study rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
6. Each room is equipped for a maximum of six (6) people. Please do not remove or introduce any furniture or equipment.
7. Please be considerate of other users in adjacent areas by maintaining a reasonable noise level at all times. The study rooms are not soundproof and are best used quietly.
8. Light snacks and drinks are allowed but food trays or meals are not permitted. Users are expected to clean up after themselves.
9. The reservation holder is responsible for the condition of the study room and equipment and may be held responsible for any damages or missing items.
10. When finished with the study room, please return any borrowed equipment to the circulation desk and notify staff.