Library Policies
Identification
A valid NWU ID or Cochrane-Woods library courtesy card is required to check out library materials. Materials checked out on NWU ID or courtesy card are the responsibility or the person named on the ID card. NWU ID cardholders should report lost/stolen cards to the Registrar's Office; courtesy card holders should report lost/stolen cards to library staff at the circulation desk.
All library materials must be checked out before leaving the library. You are financially responsible for each item charged on your card.
Loan periods
Students may check out most items for three weeks, with two renewals allowed. Faculty may check out circulating books for the semester. Staff may check out circulating books for four weeks, and all items are due on Wednesday. Loan periods for other materials may vary. Periodicals such as magazines, journals, and newspapers do not normally circulate. Reserve materials, AV materials, equipment, videotapes, camcorder, digital cameras, CDs, computer software etc. cannot be checked out by courtesy card holders. Materials marked for LIBRARY USE ONLY may not be checked out from the library at any time.
Overdue fines and other charges
Fines apply if materials are returned past their due date. Fine notices are sent to users via email on a regular basis. You are responsible for your own fines. Overdue notices are a courtesy only. You are not exempt from fines should you not receive a notice. Fines and other charges may be paid at the circulation desk any time the library is open.
A special due date will be set at the end of each semester for all library materials to be returned and all overdue fines to be paid. A list of students with overdue library materials or fines will be sent to the Registrar and Business Offices. Library materials must be returned and fines must be paid before permanent records and transcripts are released. Students will not be able to register or validate for the following semester until their records are cleared with the library.
| Category | Loan Period | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Materials | 3 weeks, always due on Wednesday | $.10 per day |
| Reserve Materials | 2-4 hours, depending on instructor's request | $.50 per hour |
| Reserve Materials |
1 day | $1 per day |
| Videotape | 1 week | $.50 per day |
| Music CD | 1 week |
$.10 per day |
| AV Equipment |
By special arrangement | $1 per item per day |
| Periodicals | No check outs | |
| Reference Materials | No check outs |
Replacement costs
A replacement fee will be charged for lost/damaged materials. The fee is based on the current price of the material plus a processing fee of $20. If a current price is not available, an estimated cost plus processing fee will be charged.
Renewals
You may extend the use of most materials by renewing them in one of several ways.
- Visit the circulation desk. You are not required to have your materials with you but you must have your NWU ID card. Please verify the new due dates before you leave, and pay any fines that might be owed.
- Call the circulation desk at 465-2400. Again, verify the new due dates.
- You may also renew your items online via iLink, the library's online catalog. You must have your student ID number and your PIN in order to renew online. Please call Katie Dunham at 465-2409, or email her at kdunham@nebrwesleyan.edu, for assistance.
Reserve Materials
Faculty and staff may place books, articles, and other materials on reserve for the use of their students. Reserve materials are kept at the circulation desk for the duration of the semester. You must bring items to be placed on reserve to the circulation desk, and fill out a "Reserve Request Form." All reserves must be picked up at the end of the semester.
Students may check out reserve materials at the circulation desk. Please know the name of the professor and the course for which you need reserve materials. While some reserves check out overnight, normally reserve materials must be used in the library and have a two-hour check out limit. Professors are responsible for determining whether or not reserves check out overnight.
Other Services
Borrowing by proxy – a service for NWU faculty and staff
The proxy borrowing service provides faculty members with the option to designate others to retrieve materials from the library, and have those materials charged to the staff or faculty member's library account.
In order to take advantage of this service, the following conditions must be met:
- The faculty or staff member is responsible for all materials charged by his or her proxy.
- The proxy must have a note from the faculty or staff member stating that charges on the faculty or staff member's library account by the proxy are allowed.
Book Drop
An outside book drop near the front entrance is available for book returns when the library is closed. Records, videotapes, and other breakable materials should not be returned in the book drop. They must be returned at the circulation desk during library hours.
Food and Drink
Food and drink is allowed in all public areas of the library. Please place trash in provided trash cans. Recycling bins for plastic and aluminum are located on the second and third floors.
Starbucks Coffee is usually for sale on a self-serve basis at the circulation desk.
Confidentiality of Library Records
Cochrane-Woods Library has a responsibility to safeguard the confidentiality of information about any individual's use of the library. Circulation records are not made available to non-library staff members, unless compelled by court order.
This policy is in compliance with the "American Library Association Statement on Professional Ethics" and with Legislative Bill 108, approved by the 88th Nebraska Legislature, 1st Session, 1983.
Questions regarding this policy should be addressed to Margaret Emons, Head of Library Operations, at 465-2405 or memons@nebrwesleyan.edu.
