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Library Services and Collections Policy

Effective Date: January 3, 2013
Downloadable Version: PDF ICON Library Services and Collections Policy
  This document is available in alternate format on request.

Purpose/Rationale:

The Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning (hereafter referred to as “Humber” or “the College”) Libraries provides users access to print, AV and electronic resources and services that support the teaching and learning needs of the College. This outlines policies that relate to Humber Libraries’ collections and services.

Scope:

The policy applies to Humber and University of Guelph Humber students, faculty, staff and alumni, community borrowers, direct borrowers and staff retirees.

Definitions:

Library Card: a college issued photo card registered with the user’s campus library or a library issued card.

Direct Borrowers: college staff, faculty or students who are allowed to borrow from any Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology.

Policy:

  1. The mandate of the Library is:
    • to select, catalogue and maintain a collection of electronic, print and AV materials that is relevant to the college curriculum;
    • to assist users in finding information
      • in the Library
      • through online resources
      • through the provision of intercampus loan and interlibrary loan services;
    • to deliver an information literacy program through the provision of classes and workshops, the creation of web 2.0 subject guides and online tutorials and by embedding  library content within Blackboard courses;
    • to provide circulation services;
    • to establish and monitor hours of operation;
    • to establish and monitor limits on loan periods;
    • to establish and monitor fines for overdue materials;
    • to provide copyright services including, advisory/information services, negotiating and tracking copyright permissions and embedding library content into Blackboard courses;
    • to provide individual and collaborative learning spaces.
  2. The primary responsibility for the selection and de-selection of library collections will rest with the Library staff in collaboration with the academic schools. Policies regarding collection development and de-selection of library items are located on the Library website under Collections.
  3. The circulation policies that relate to Humber and University of Guelph Humber students, faculty and staff will be determined by the Library staff and appear on the Library website under Services.
  4. A college staff, faculty or student  may borrow in person from any Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology Library with the following provisions:
    • Each borrower is responsible for the safe return or replacement of material borrowed or for any charges incurred;
    • Only circulating material as defined by the lending library may be borrowed;
    • Only college staff, faculty and students who are currently employed or registered are eligible to request a Direct Borrower’s card.
  5. Currently enrolled Humber students and currently employed Humber faculty and staff will be entitled to a library account which gives them access to e-resources remotely, the ability to place holds on items within the catalogue and to renew borrowed items online.  Students, faculty and staff may have their account activated by presenting Humber ID or University of Guelph ID to the Library circulation desk.
  6. Alumni, community borrowers, direct borrowers and Humber staff retirees may consult and borrow the material in the Library collections and use the Library services. Restrictions do apply for some materials and services and are outlined on the Library website.
  7. Library cards are not transferable and should only be used by the person named on the card. Lending a library card to another person or using another person’s card may result in a loss of library privileges.
  8. Humber and University of Guelph Humber students, faculty and staff will have priority access to the resources including computers housed in the Library as outlined in the Library Computer Use Policy.
  9. The hours of operation of the Library will be set annually prior to the start of the Academic year by the Director Libraries. The Director will be guided by the principle that the services and resources should be open as often and as long as is feasible. Library hours will be posted on the entrance to the campus libraries and on the Library website.
  10. Borrowers will be responsible for all transactions made on their library account and are subject to overdue fines and replacement costs for unreturned library items. Student library liabilities may be sent to Registrar for invoicing. Library liabilities may result in a student not being able to get a transcript of their marks or register for a course.
  11. Lost library cards should be reported immediately to the Library. Materials charged to a lost or stolen card will be the responsibility of the person to whom the card was issued until the loss is reported.
  12. Borrowers who steal or vandalize library materials will be subject to disciplinary action. Library policies and procedures that relate to theft and vandalism are outlined on the Library website.
  13. Library policies that relate to noise, food and drink, disruptive behavior and computer use are outlined on the Library website.