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MSJC Library

Community Agreement When Using the Library

The MSJC Libraries are collaborative and shared spaces for the MSJC community of users, including students, faculty, administrators, visitors, and library staff. We strive to maintain safe, welcoming learning environments for all who seek information and a quiet place to study. All library visitors must follow the MSJC Standards of Student Conduct (AP 5500) and agree to observe the guidelines below.

  • Share responsibility for creating and maintaining an inclusive, affirming, and welcoming space, in which everyone can expect an atmosphere free from discriminatory and oppressive attitudes, comments, behaviors, and actions.
  • Be considerate of students who are studying. Please keep voices and headphones low.
  • Practice sensitivity to others' tolerance for noise by limiting conversations to more active group areas, rather than in areas marked as quiet or silent spaces.
  • Cell phones can be particularly distracting, especially if using speaker mode or live video chat. Please set cell phones to silent and take calls to lobby areas or outside to avoid disturbing others.
  • Drinks with lids and light snack foods are allowed in the library. Please enjoy full meals and hot foods outside the library so that food odors don't disturb others.
  • Help maintain a clean environment by using trash cans and cleaning kits located around the library.

Study Rooms

All three MSJC libraries have study rooms available for current MSJC students only, on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see staff at each campus library for study room access.

Children in the Library

Children under 18 who are not current MSJC students may occasionally accompany an adult student or employee to the library for a brief visit. They must remain supervised at all times by the adult responsible for them.

A child's presence should not disturb others. If children become overactive or noisy, we ask that they be taken outside. An employee may request that children or visitors leave the library if it's considered necessary or appropriate.

Please be aware that children may not use any computers or equipment.

Children must never be left unaccompanied in the library or on campus. If children are present without an adult, staff are required to notify administration and/or the Campus Safety office.

Please see MSJC Board Policy, Children on Campus (AP 3502), for further details.

Posting Flyers in the Library

MVC Library

  • For MSJC-sponsored events and programs, one 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.
  • Informational handouts or brochures may be placed in the wall brochure rack next to the Copy Center doors. Staff will periodically review and remove outdated handouts.

SJC Library

  • For MSJC-sponsored events and programs, one 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. Staff will periodically review and remove outdated handouts.

TVC Library

  • TVC Library currently does not have a dedicated event bulletin board. Please speak with staff about placing event flyers and handouts in the TVC Library/LRC.

Donations

The MSJC Libraries accept limited 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. Generally, materials should be in good condition and related to the curriculum of the college, rather than popular fiction, non-fiction, or magazines. Additionally, outdated textbooks are typically not useful to current students.

  • Materials that are not acceptable for our collections 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 decline 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.

Collection Development Policy

Purpose

This policy outlines general information about the selection of library materials. Providing access to appropriate and relevant material to support the curricula and the mission of Mt. San Jacinto College are of primary importance. The Libraries must also be responsive to student interests and diverse backgrounds to create a collection of materials that supports the academic, cultural, and personal information needs of the MSJC community.

Responsibility for Selection

The Libraries rely on their own faculty librarians, teaching faculty, and students for purchase recommendations. It is a professional responsibility of teaching faculty to make recommendations in their respective disciplines and to incorporate library materials into course development. Since librarians can best judge the balance of the total collection, the final decision concerning acquisitions rests with them.

Intellectual Freedom

In the pursuit of knowledge and learning, it is the responsibility of the librarians to ensure that a variety of viewpoints, subjects that may be considered controversial, and uncensored access to all library materials is available to all users.The Libraries endorse the American Library Association Bill of Rights, Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries, Freedom to Read Statement, Challenged Resources Statement, and the Freedom to View Statement. The principles of these documents are an integral part of this policy statement.

Challenged Materials

Every effort is made to purchase materials representing different points of view on controversial issues, and to include topics and materials that reflect the diverse society in which we live. It is not the intent of the Libraries to offend any individual or group, but to provide unrestricted access to all ideas whether popular or not. The Libraries do not withdraw material based upon objections to content or ideas presented. If an individual or group objects to any material in the collection the individual or group will be required to submit a formal request for review of the material.

The challenged material will be discussed with the complainant(s). If the request for review is not settled through discussions between the Libraries and the requestor, the written specific objections shall be submitted to the library administrator who will guide the next review of the challenge. Teaching faculty and other appropriate personnel may be recruited to read, view, or listen to the challenged work and submit recommendations. The administrator will inform the complainant(s) in writing of any decision.

Acquisitions Priorities

The first priority of the Libraries is to provide materials to students in support of curriculum requirements. Since a community college focuses on the first two years of an undergraduate curriculum, materials recommended for undergraduates will receive first priority for purchase. Second, the Libraries serve faculty research needs by purchasing more advanced materials when funds are available, or by obtaining them through interlibrary loan. General reference, cultural, recreational, and other materials are also acquired to meet the needs of MJSC community members and are purchased as funds permit.

Selection Criteria

The following criteria are used when evaluating materials for inclusion in the collection:

  • Value of the content
  • Level of treatment
  • Authority of the author, editor, or publisher
  • Professional reviews and publisher information
  • Existing holdings in the subject area
  • Price
  • Availability of funds

Collection Maintenance/Weeding

Evaluation of the Libraries' physical collections is undertaken as time and other duties permit. Faculty members are encouraged to review their subject areas and recommend additions to and withdrawals from the collection. Outdated, seldom-used and damaged materials are withdrawn from the collection; these items and lost books are replaced at the discretion of the librarians.

Privacy of Library Records

In accordance with all applicable state laws, including the California Reader Privacy Act, and college policies, library patron records and borrowing histories are confidential.