Library Policies

Study Space Policies:

Library space is open 24 hours daily for current students. Library space is a positive study environment where everyone is respectful of others. The following policies provide an effective shared study space:

1. Drinks are allowed in covered containers.
2. Food – small snacks that do not make a mess and do not smell are allowed.
3. Sound (noise)
   1. Put cell phone on silent/vibrate. Take phone conversations out of the library;
   2. Group study rooms are for quiet talking only (sound carries);
   3. Quiet talking is allowed around the service desks and computers;
   4. Silence please in the general study areas; and
   5. Students who cannot adhere to these policies will be escorted out of the library and banned for the remainder of the day.
4. Room Reservations
   1. Rooms are reserved online in the portal;
   2. Students can reserve up to 3 hours per day;
   3. Students can reserve a room up to 1 week in advance; and
   4. Names of all students need to be included when reserving
5. See https://library.midwestern.edu/mwuhome/visitors for current visitor information.

Checkout Policies:

1. Checkout periods
   1. Books – 6 weeks;
   2. Reserve items – 2 hours for use only in the library;
   3. Other items – varies by type of material; and
   4. Renewals are not allowed.
2. Overdue policy
   1. 7 days overdue:
      1. 1st overdue notice with warning of $10 late fee.
   2. 14 days overdue:
      1. $10 late fee incurred;
      2. 2nd overdue notice with warning of replacement fees; and
      3. Checkout privileges suspended for non-reserve items.
   3. 28 days overdue:
      1. Replacement cost, $15 processing fee and $10 late fee posted to student online billing system (non-refundable, return of item not accepted as substitute for payment).

Charging Policies:

Replacement costs and non-refundable, non-negotiable processing fees will be incurred for lost and significantly overdue materials:

1. $10 Late fee incurred on the 14th day the item is overdue;
2. Replacement costs for lost, damaged, or overdue items; and
3. $15 processing fee per replacement item.

Additional Cost Information:

1. Replacement cost is actual retail cost of latest edition;
2. Will be posted to the online billing system as incurred;
3. Is incurred on the 28th day the item is overdue;
4. Is non-refundable, non-negotiable; and

5. Return of the item after 28 days overdue is not accepted as substitute for payment.

Behavior Expectations:

1. Library staff and students together will help maintain a positive, respectful, and professional environment;
2. To keep our spaces functional, comfortable, and safe for everyone, please keep library furniture in its designated area;
3. For everyone's safety, do not use rolling whiteboards to block doors or obscure study room views;
4. Library staff will remind students of policies and professional expectations at the time of infraction;
5. Failure to comply with library policies and staff warnings may result in further action, including escort out of the library, and/or submitting an informal or formal complaint depending on the nature of the grievance; and
6. Library staff will document repeated and/or serious offences and report to supervisors and/or Deans as appropriate.

Refer to the Library Services section under Resources for additional information.