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quinebaug valley community college

Library Policies

Events

Children in the Library

Children under high school age are not to be left unattended in the library. Children using the library have access to all library materials, whether print or electronic.  This policy extends to the Internet.  Supervision or restriction of a minor’s access to the Internet or other library material is the responsibility of the parent or other legal guardian.  Signs are posted in the library regarding this policy.

Circulation Policy

The QVCC Library in Danielson extends borrowing privileges to QV students, faculty, staff, and local community residents who are high school age or older. New borrowers are asked to complete a QVCC Library Card Registration form, which is updated every two years.

The borrowing period for circulating books is 28 days. DVDs, videos, periodicals, and most reference books are circulated for 3 days. Reserve items circulate for time periods specified by faculty. Reserve items are available to QV students only.

Items may be renewed for a second borrowing period of equal length, if no hold has been placed by other patrons. Items may be renewed once online, via QVresearch. Items may also be renewed by calling or visiting the library. Patrons wishing to renew items more than once must call or visit the Circulation Desk.

Library materials may be returned to the Danielson campus library. Library books may also be returned to the outdoor Book Drop box, located in the main parking lot.

Patrons with overdue materials receive an immediate overdue notice and, one week later, a bill. The library does not charge fines for materials returned in good condition. A replacement fee is charged for all damaged, lost, or missing items. Unpaid replacement fees may result in suspension of borrowing privileges and a Banner hold on QVCC transactions, including registration, grades, graduation, and transcripts.

Item Limits:  QV students, faculty, and staff are limited to a total of ten items at any one time. Community borrowers are limited to a total of 6 items at any one time.  All borrowers are limited to a maximum of two DVDs, two magazines, and/or two journals at any one time. If a DVD is a multiple disk set, only that set may be borrowed.

Collection Development Policy

The library collects resources and materials in all formats to support the needs of students, staff, faculty, and community users. Collections focus on academic needs first, then on works by and about underrepresented groups, and then on adding materials and resources to enhance literacy. Within budgetary constraints, the library strives to provide a balanced collection with diverse and differing points of view or intellectual thought. User suggestions for the acquisition of new materials are welcomed and given full consideration. Library staff make all final decisions regarding additions to collections, staying within established budgetary guidelines and with reference to established review sources.

The library’s collections are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that available resources are meeting the current curriculum, research and informational needs of faculty and students. Materials that no longer meet the needs of the university community may be removed from the collection and formats may be changed to provide wider access or cost savings. Deaccessioned books, DVDs or other materials are offered to the college community, donated to charity, recycled, or discarded as appropriate.

The library may accept gifts of books and other materials if they are determined to be appropriate additions to the collection. Accepted gifts may be added to library collections, offered to the college community, donated to charity, recycled, or discarded as appropriate. Donors may request a letter from the Library director acknowledging the quantity of their gift, but no dollar value will be assigned. Library staff make all final decisions regarding the acceptance of gift materials.

[Revised 2022]

Community Users Policy

The QVCC Library welcomes community users. Local community residents who are high school age or older may register as library borrowers (see Circulation Policy).

Community users may use one of the library’s five public computers to access the Internet (See Computer Policy). Community users may not use library computers which require a student log-in.

Public computers access the Internet only and do not have access to Microsoft Office software or similar open source software. Use of library public computers is extended to community users for short periods of time only and is provided as a service for those needing to access academic information. Community users may not use library public computers for extended periods of time and specific public computer uses may be further restricted at the discretion of library staff. Public computers may not be used for gaming or commercial purposes.

Library staff reserves the right to limit community patrons’ use of all library resources, including physical collections, public computers, and printers. Community users who do not comply with staff requests will be asked to leave the library. Disruptive community patrons will be reported to the Dean of Administrative Affairs (see Disruptive Behavior Policy).

Computer Use Policy

Public-access computers in the library access the Internet only. Students needing to do substantial research or who need access to word-processing, spreadsheet, or database software should use library log-in computers. Users should not tamper with software or settings on library computers. Users may not download and install software on library computers.

The QV library complies with all Connecticut Community College system policies regarding misuse of our computer resources including, but not limited to, prohibitions on using college computers to damage or launch attacks on other computers, denial of service attacks, using college computers for for-profit enterprises, and copyright infringement. Violations of this policy may result in legal action.

Library computers are not filtered; supervision or restriction of a minor’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Printing: currently the library does not charge for printing. We do ask, however, that patrons limit their printing to academic research and class assignments. Printing restriction are in force on all library computers. Library staff reserve the right to limit a patron’s printing at any time. Please ask a librarian about downloading or e-mailing results rather than printing.

Confidentiality of Library Records

In accordance with the State of Connecticut’s policy on Confidentiality of Library Records [CT Statutes Chapter 190, Title 11, Sections 11-25 (b)] and Personal Data [CT Statutes Chapter 55, Title 4, Sections 4-190 through 4-193], the QVCC Library has adopted the following policy:

Information collected by any unit of the QVCC Library, relating to the use of collections and/or services by an individual Library patron, is confidential.

Personal information is compiled in Library records and files for the following purposes:

To maintain information as to the location/availability of materials.
To compile general use statistics in regard to collections and/or services (statistics are not compiled on individual users).
Access to an individual’s files is available to the patron him/herself; access to individual files by any other party, including library staff who have “no need to know,” other College staff, other state or federal employees, or other Library patrons is prohibited. Library staff is not authorized to provide any information concerning an individual’s use of collections or services to anyone other than the patron or to other library staff who need such information in the performance of their assigned duties.

Requests for exceptions to this policy must be made to the Director of Library Services. Such requests must be in writing and must state the specific purpose for which information is being requested. Requests by law enforcement officials must be in the form of an official subpoena or court order and must be made to the Director of Library Services, who will consult with appropriate College and System administrators.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): FERPA also protects a student’s privacy with regards at any personal information contained in the Library Circulation database. This includes but is not limited to any overdue fines or replacement and processing fees on lost or damaged items. If a student wishes to have another individual, such as a parent, make restitution for fines or fees, a consent form must be completed and on file with the library.

Disclosure of any personal information as protected by both the State of Connecticut’s policy and FERPA will only be authorized in compliance with the presentation by an official of a city, state or federal law enforcement agency of a lawfully issued subpoena or court order. The agent will be informed that the subpoena will need to be presented to the Library Director, who will consult with appropriate College administrators.

Copyright Policy

The QVCC Library maintains strict adherence to the U.S. Copyright Act (Title 17 of the U. S. Code), the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and the TEACH Act. All materials that are added to the Library’s collection, as well as any materials placed on Reserve, or added to online course shells must comply with this law. If any question should arise as to the legality of duplicating, digitizing, or retaining particular materials, faculty and staff members should consult the Library Director.

Fair Use [Source: U.S. Copyright Office]:  The doctrine of fair use has developed through a substantial number of court decisions overthe years and has been codified in section 107 of the copyright law.

Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered fair, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Section 107 also sets out four factors to be considered in determining whether or not a particular use is fair:

The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes
The nature of the copyrighted work
The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole
The effect of the use upon the potential market for, or value of, the copyrighted work
The distinction between fair use and infringement may be unclear and not easily defined. There is no specific number of words, lines, or notes that may safely be taken without permission. Acknowledging the source of the copyrighted material does not substitute for obtaining permission.

Copyright protects the particular way authors have expressed themselves. It does not extend to any ideas, systems, or factual information conveyed in a work.

The safest course is always to get permission from the copyright owner before using copyrighted material. The Copyright Office cannot give this permission.

When it is impracticable to obtain permission, use of copyrighted material should be avoided unless the doctrine of fair use would clearly apply to the situation. The Copyright Office can neither determine if a certain use may be considered fair nor advise on possible copyright violations. If there is any doubt, it is advisable to consult an attorney.

Copyright and Film:  Showing a film to a class of enrolled students, in an assigned on-ground classroom, is permitted according to the “face-to-face teaching exemption” in Section 110(1) of the U.S. Copyright Act, so long as the instructor is present in the room where the film is being shown. Showing a film under any other circumstances requires permission from the copyright holder. Acquiring permission will usually require the payment of a royalty fee. The only exceptions to the need for copyright permission are the showing of films in the public domain or films which have been purchased with public presentation rights included. Information about showing films outside of a defined class in a classroom may be obtained from the Library Director.

Distance Education and Film [Source: Tarleton State University Library, used with permission]: The TEACH Act was enacted in October, 2002, and is a completely revised version of Section 110(2) of the U.S. Copyright Act. The TEACH Act provides a more limited right to use copyrighted material in distance education by accredited nonprofit institutions providing certain conditions have been met. The law permits the performance of non-dramatic literary and musical works and “reasonable and limited portions” of dramatic and audiovisual works “in an amount comparable to that which is typically displayed in the course of a live session.” Educational materials marketed as “mediated instructional activities transmitted via digital network” may not be used. In order to take advantage of these exemptions there are many requirements including:

Access must be limited to enrolled students within class sessions;
Technological protection measures must be put in place to prevent recipients from further distributing the works; and
Institutions must institute copyright policies, provide informatin on copyright compliance, and provide “notice to students that materials used in connection with the course may be subject to copyright protection.”
It should be noted that the TEACH Act does not restrict the law of fair use, which may allow performances beyond those allowed by the TEACH Act.

Disruptive Behavior

The QVCC Library provides a safe and welcoming environment conducive to teaching, learning, study, research, and relaxation. Disruptive behavior is detrimental to that environment. Disruptive behavior includes excessive noise and other inappropriate behaviors that adversely affect other library users. The library staff reserves the right to ask individuals who are behaving in an inappropriate or disruptive manner to leave the library. Repeat violators may be barred from the library.

Disruptive behavior violations will be documented and reported to the appropriate administrator. QVCC student infractions will be reported to the Dean of Student Services and Dean of Academic Affairs; QMC student infractions will be reported to the Quinebaug Middle College principal; and community infractions will be reported to the Dean of Administrative Affairs.

QVCC Students may appeal the loss of library privileges by following the College’s student grievance procedure which is outlined in the QVCC Student Handbook. QMC students may appeal the loss of library privileges using the Quinebaug Middle College appeal process.

Food and Drink Policy

Food and beverages are not allowed in the library during any time when mask-restrictions are in place, such as during a public health emergency involving a pandemic.  This policy is intended to ensure that masks or facial coverings are always securely in place when so directed by campus administration or the CSCU Board of Regents and is for the protection of all library users and staff. Should mask-restrictions be eliminated by campus or CSCU authorities, the library may continue this policy until sufficient protocols are in place to allow resumption of eating and drinking in the library.  [revised 2020]

Guiding Principles

The Quinebaug Valley Community College Library subscribes to the principles held forth in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and in the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics. In the following statements, the term “community” may be taken as synonymous with QVCC students, staff, faculty, and community users.

Library Bill of Rights:

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
Adopted June 18, 1948, by the ALA Council; amended February 2, 1961; amended June 28, 1967; amended January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 24, 1996.

Library Code of Ethics:

As members of the American Library Association, we recognize the importance of codifying and making known to the profession and to the general public the ethical principles that guide the work of librarians, other professionals providing information services, library trustees and library staffs.

Ethical dilemmas occur when values are in conflict. The American Library Association Code of Ethics states the values to which we are committed, and embodies the ethical responsibilities of the profession in this changing information environment.

We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, we are members of a profession explicitly committed to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information. We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations.

The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations.

I. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.
II. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
III. We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
IV. We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.
V. We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.
VI. We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
VII. We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
VIII. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.
Adopted June 28, 1997, by the ALA Council; amended January 22, 2008.

Intellectual Freedom Policy

The Director of Library Services will meet with any patron who wishes to formally request the removal of a specific item or items from the library. If the patron wishes to pursue the challenge following this meeting, the Director of Library Services will request that the patron write a formal letter indicating the reason(s) for the complaint. Upon receipt of the letter, the Director will meet with the Dean of Academic Affairs and other appropriate administrators. The patron may be asked to participate in the discussion, in order to seek resolution of the complaint.

In questions of intellectual freedom and censorship, the library adheres closely to the values in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Library Code of Ethics, which are provided in the library’s Guiding Principles. A copy of the ALAIntellectual Freedom Manual is available in the library.

Interlibrary Loan Policy

The Library offers Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services for students, staff, faculty, and community borrowers. This service is used to supply materials, usually books or photocopies of periodical articles, which are not available at QVCC.

The Library searches both a state-wide and a worldwide library database to locate requested materials and makes all attempts to borrow items at no charge to the library or patron. Occasionally an item will only be obtainable for a fee; the patron will be notified of any possible charges prior to proceeding with the loan process, and will be responsible for paying the fee.

Interlibrary Loan is a no-charge service. The maximum number of ILL items requested for an individual patron is limited to three at any one time. Requests beyond this limit will require patron prioritization and will be implemented over a period of time deemed reasonable by library staff. The library reserves the right to refuse excessive Interlibrary Loan requests.

Patrons are responsible for the safe handling and return of all borrowed ILL materials to the QVCC Library. Any lost items will be billed to the patron at the amount requested by the lending library, including all processing fees. By completing the ILL Request Form, the patron agrees to pay all handling charges, bills for lost or damaged items and other fees charged by the lending library.

The QVCC Library follows the American Library Association Revised 2008 Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States, the CONTU Guidelines on Photocopying under Interlibrary Loan Arrangements, and U.S. copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) in conducting Interlibrary Loans. The library reserves the right to limit or refuse I.L.L. requests that exceed these guidelines.

Internet Use Policy

The Internet is a particularly valuable extension of the library’s electronic resources, offering patrons access to a wide range of information from networks and databases around the world. But while the Internet has become an essential part of the library research process, it should be used with care. The Internet supplements, but does not replace, traditional research using library-provided resources such as books, periodicals, and databases. Internet use at the QVCC Library is governed by the following policies:

Priority: In keeping with the library’s mission, academic use of the Internet is given priority over all other uses. Course-related research takes priority over recreational browsing; during periods of heavy use, casual browsers will be asked to surrender computers to researchers.

Tampering: Users should not tamper with software or settings on library computers. Software and files should not be downloaded or copied to the hard drive. Problems with library computers should be reported to library staff for correction.

Validity: Information found on the Internet should be regarded with a skeptical eye. No agency regulates the Internet or controls its content. Users are advised to assess information found on the Internet carefully, checking for accuracy, currency, completeness, and validity.   If a site is unknown and its information cannot be verified, it should be used and cited with caution.

Permanence: Users should regard information found on the Internet as impermanent.   Sites can change their content or disappear at any time.   Internet information necessary for research should be printed or saved when found.

Plagiarism: The Internet should be cited with the same care as more traditional sources such as books and periodicals. For help with citing Internet material, see “Citing Your Sources” on the library Guides page or consult library staff. For a detailed explanation of how Internet materials may be used in multimedia projects, see “Fair Use Guidelines” on the library Guides page.

Controversy: The Internet contains material which individual users may find controversial, inappropriate, indecent, or personally offensive. Individual users are responsible for the sites they access. While the library does not limit Internet access or censor Internet material, users should be aware that the QVCC Sexual Harassment Policy extends to the use of college computers. Users displaying material that violates this policy may be asked to end their online session. See also the library’s Pornography Policy.

Children: The QVCC Library is open to the public. Children using the library have access to all library materials, whether print or electronic. This policy extends to the Internet. Supervision or restriction of a minor’s access to the Internet or other library material is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.

Library Calendar

Use the College Academic Calendar to determine the dates for semesters, summer session, and interim hours. The library is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and major holidays including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Weekend, and Christmas.  The Library is closed when the College is closed.

Library Noise Policy

The QVCC Library is a teaching library, and and as such, moderate noise from teaching, group work, meetings, and student gatherings will be tolerated in the front of the library. The Quiet Study Area is located in the back of the library, behind the circulating stacks. Quiet is encouraged and enforced in the back. Group work, cellphone conversations, and noisy gatherings are to be confined to the front of the library.  Study rooms are also available for patrons needing uninterrupted quiet.

Lost and Found

The QV  Lost & Found is housed at the QVCC Security Desk located in the atrium (C-wing, first floor).  All items lost in the library, including but not limited to beverage containers, clothing, jewelry, eyeglasses, notebooks, book bags, and flash drives will brought down to the Security Desk each day at the close of the library. [revised 2017]

Mission and Vision Statements

Mission Statement

The QVCC Library is the heart of the college. We foster student success by teaching essential skills, building essential collections, and providing essential resources. We offer students and community users a welcoming space  to gather, read, study, reflect, question, create, and learn.

Vision Statement:

The QVCC Library embraces continuous improvement and innovation. We are always on the lookout for new ideas, innovative resources, improved uses of library space (both physical and virtual), and better ways to better serve our community. We welcome users’ suggestions for improving our services.

Plagiarism Policy

The Library discourages plagiarism by teaching students what it is, how to correctly cite sources, and how to avoid inadvertent plagiarism.

When requested, Library staff show faculty how they can investigate suspected plagiarism by searching library databases and the Internet. Librarians do not conduct plagiarism investigations themselves, but help faculty learn how to conduct the necessary search processes.

Faculty who are concerned about student plagiarism are encouraged to ask librarians how to prevent plagiarism by creating a paper trail of student research and drafts.

Pornography Policy

The online display of sexually explicit images in public areas of the library is not allowed and a violation of the President’s Policy on Sexual Harassment. QV students who need to view such material for a class assignment can request a private viewing space from library staff. Verification of the assignment will be obtained by library staff.

Quinebaug Middle College Policy

Quinebaug Middle College (QMC) students, faculty and staff have the same borrowing privileges and responsibilities as QVCC students, faculty and staff. [revised 2021]

QV Library computers are not filtered; QMC faculty and staff assume responsibility for monitoring QMC student access to non-filtered devices.  All users are required to adhere to the campus Policy on Sexual Harassment, which forbids the public display of pornography, and the Acceptable Use policies of CSCU and the Board of Regents (as revised).  [revised 2021]

The Library may not be used as a class study hall.  By prior appointment, QMC faculty and the QMC library media specialist may bring classes into the Library for research and QMC classes may reserve the Library Classroom for research and information literacy instruction. To arrange visits and classroom use, QMC personnel should contact QV library staff in advance. QMC personnel are to be present and assume responsibility for monitoring student behavior during such visits and classroom use. [revised 2021]

Quinebaug Middle College collection development is funded through the QMC budget.

Reserve Policy

QVCC and QMC faculty may place library-owned or personal materials on Reserve for one semester. Materials that are not library-owned or personally owned by faculty (i.e., Interlibrary Loan materials) may not be put on Reserve. Reserve materials may be borrowed by QVCC students, faculty, and staff only. All Reserve materials, whether onground or online, are subject to copyright limitations and guidelines.

Student Study Room Policy

Study Rooms may be reserved at the library Circulation Desk by students enrolled in QVCC courses. Groups or individuals using a Study Room without a reservation may be bumped. Study rooms are available for academic use only; students may not reserve study rooms for non-academic or recreational uses. These privileges may be suspended by the Library during pandemic-related social distance protocols. [revised 2020]

Study Rooms may be reserved by either individuals or groups, for up to a single two-hour block. Room reservations may be renewed within 10 minutes of the end of a booking time, if no one else is waiting for the room.  Individuals in a group may not reserve consecutive time periods, effectively locking up one room for multiple time periods. If a Study Room is being used by a group, renewals should be made for the group, not for individuals within the group.

Study Rooms may be reserved up to one week in advance.  To provide the broadest possible access to the study rooms, multiple bookings (e.g. same time, every day, every week) are not allowed.

Not showing up within 10 minutes of a Study Room reservation time cancels the reservation.  Groups or individuals who leave a Study Room before the end of a reservation time should notify the Circulation Desk that the room is free.  Rooms that are left vacant for more than 10 minutes will become available for new reservations.

Groups or individuals who are using noisy media equipment such as TVs or boom boxes will be booked into Room 1 if possible, to avoid disturbing the offices nearby.

All relevant Library policies apply to the Student Study Rooms.

Suspension of Borrower Privileges

The Library staff reserves the right to amend, suspend, or eliminate library privileges to individuals who habitually and consistently violate library policies. Policy violations affecting library privileges will be documented by QVCC Library staff.

Students may appeal the loss of library privileges by following the College’s student grievance procedure which is outlined in the QVCC Student Handbook.
https://qvcc.edu/library/policies/
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