MSJC Libraries: Library Policies

• Borrowing Materials 
• MVC Study Room   
• Conduct   
• Library Computers  
• Children/Minors in the Library  
• Posting Flyers  
• Donations/Gifts   
• Collection Development 

Members of the community are welcome to use the library for research.  However, only current MSJC students, faculty or staff members have borrowing privileges. A maximum of 10 items total can be checked out at one time. A current MSJC student or staff ID Card is required to check out items.

Check out Periods:

Renewals: 

Books may be renewed if they are not overdue and no hold has been placed on them. DVDs and CDs are not renewable. Renew materials online by logging into My Library Account with your mymsjc username and password.

Renewals may also be requested in person or by phone:

• MVC: 951-639-5455
• SJC: 951-487-3455

Fines:

Borrowing privileges will be blocked for overdue items and/or fees owed. Fees over $5.00 will result in a hold being placed on student records, preventing students from registering for classes or requesting transcripts.

Please note: All notices regarding charges and overdue materials are sent to MSJC e-mail addresses.

Fines do not accrue on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.

The MVC Library has only one study room available that is limited to groups of at least 2 and no more than 6 students, on a first-come, first-served basis. Each member of the group checks out the room for a 2-hour period, and it is not renewable by anyone in the group.
 
The room is monitored closely in order to provide the optimum access to all students. Because of this:

• The room is designated for currently registered MSJC students only. 
• Faculty, tutors, and administrators are not allowed to use the room for meetings.

The MSJC Libraries strive to maintain a safe and welcoming learning environment for all who seek information and a quiet place to study. All library users are expected to follow the MSJC Standards of Student Conduct (AP 5500) and the specific Library rules of conduct listed below: 

• Be considerate of students who are studying by not being loud or unruly.
• Quiet group work and conversations are permitted in group areas only.
• Set cell phones to silent; take calls outside or to the Cell Phone Zone (CPZ) in the SJC Library lobby.
• Use headphones at a low volume.
• Drinks with lids and light foods are allowed in the library. No fast food or pizza, please!
• Help maintain a clean and welcoming environment by using trash cans and cleaning kits located around the library.
• Smoking and e-cigarettes are not permitted (No Smoking and Tobacco Free Campus, AP 3570).

​The MSJC Libraries provide computers for student use (60 at MVC Library and 29 at SJC Library). Library computers offer free Internet access and are equipped with Microsoft Office software.

Priority use of library computers is for student study and research. Guest users may be allowed to use computers at the discretion of Library staff and must present a valid photo ID each time they request access. Students and guest users who violate the policies outlined below may have their computer privileges withdrawn.

Since the Libraries’ computers are in public areas, students and guest users shall not access websites that contain any material that may be offensive to others. Students and guests must abide by the MSJC Computer Acceptable Use Policy (AP 3720) and must not engage in any behavior that is not consistent with MSJC Standards of Student Conduct (AP 5500) and/or the laws of the United States. The intent of this provision is not to limit academic freedom but to respect the sensibilities of others using these facilities. Students who are conducting legitimate academic research on a subject that may be controversial should notify library staff before using the computer to access this material.

Students and guest users may not:

• Carry out illegal or intentionally offensive or slanderous activities
• Access pornographic or violent material on the Internet without prior approval
• Use abusive or harassing language in email or other online communications to any MSJC student, faculty, or staff 
• Engage in unauthorized gaming
• Download or make unauthorized copies of proprietary software or copyrighted materials
• Intentionally change or damage hardware or software
• Use library computers or printers/copiers for commercial activities, which includes the unauthorized soliciting, promoting, selling, marketing or advertising products or services, or reselling technology resources.

• Children – under 18 years old – who are not current MSJC students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and may be in the library no longer than 30 minutes per day.
• At the MVC Library, children should remain in the front lobby area.
• At the SJC Library, children must remain with parent or guardian at all times.
• Children must be quiet and well-behaved.
• Children may not touch any computers or equipment.
• Library personnel take no responsibility for children left unattended in the library. If children are present without an adult, the administration and/or police will be notified.

MVC Library:

• One SGA approved (stamped) flyer, per event, may be posted on the bulletin board in the Copy Center for one month, or until the event is over, whichever comes first. 
• Hand-outs up to 8 1/2" x 11" may be posted in the wall brochure rack next to the Copy Center doors. No SGA approval is necessary, and the hand-outs will remain up for one month, or until the event is over, whichever comes first.

SJC Library:

• One SGA approved (stamped) flyer, per event, may be posted on the bulletin board in the lobby area for one month, or until the event is over, whichever comes first. 
• Informational handouts or brochures may be placed in the wall brochure rack near the entrance of the library. No SGA approval is necessary.

The MSJC Libraries accept selected donations with the understanding that the materials will be evaluated according to the same standards as items purchased by the Libraries. The Libraries may decline donations that do not meet those standards.

• Materials that are not acceptable because of age, format, topic, physical condition, or other factors may be offered as book sale items or disposed of through recycling or other appropriate means. 
• The Libraries reserve the right to refuse a donation if the donor requests special conditions, such as retrieval from the donor's home, restricted access to materials, or particular shelving requirements.
• The Libraries cannot provide a monetary evaluation of donations.