About Borrowing from the Library

STUDENT CHECKOUT POLICY – Main Campus
Currently enrolled students with a valid Otis ID and who complete a Library Checkout Agreement
form may reserve and checkout materials from the Library circulation desk. Students are responsible
for all materials checked out on their library account, and for monitoring their accounts. To view your account online, log in at: https://opac.otis.edu/.

If a student’s library account reflects any past due materials or fines from a prior semester, that
student’s library privileges are suspended until all outstanding materials are returned and any fines cleared.

CHECKOUT PERIODS
Books, Videos/DVDs/Blu-rays, CDs, Reserves, and Anatomical models may be checked out during
all open hours.*  Electronic devices and Items in Special Collections or from the Annex are available
only while senior library staff are present.  The Visual Resources Library is open during weekday business hours only.

*Videos/DVDs/Blu-rays may not be checked out over the winter break.

Library materials may be checked-out according the following schedule:

 

     
       
Undergraduate students whose student accounts are not yet cleared for the coming semester are not eligible for library privileges beyond the current semester’s last day of classes. Graduate students who have been approved by their home department may have year-round access while enrolled in that department or program.

ONLINE HOLDS
When a student’s library account is current and they have no library checkout or student accounts holds, material request/holds may be placed at the circulation desk, or through our Online Public Access Catalog. If the materials are currently checked out to another patron, that patron will not be able to renew the item, and upon return of the item a notification will be sent to the requesting student’s Otis email account. If the materials are not currently checked out, a request/hold will keep others from checking them out for up to 3 days after the hold is placed.


RENEWALS

         
Renewals will not be allowed if there is a Request for the item in the system.
Online renewals:  Starting 3 days before materials are due, when a student’s library account is current and they have no library issued checkout or student accounts holds, materials may be renewed online or through the Library’s Online Public Access Catalog using the Otis Xnumber and Self-Service PIN. If a student has difficulty renewing items, they should contact the circulation desk for help.

LIBRARY MATERIALS
Unless otherwise noted, all library materials that are available for checkout are considered to be in good condition for their circulation age, and in the case of electronic or visual media, in good working order.  Students are responsible for inspecting the materials before they leave the library. If any missing or damaged parts or pages are found, the student must notify circulation staff, to make note of the condition in the system.  Students are responsible for returning the materials in the condition they were issued. Students will be responsible for all repair and/or replacement costs for materials that are damaged, lost, or stolen while checked-out to them. Repair costs will be estimated by the library’s cataloger.  In lieu of paying replacement costs, students may elect to replace the lost or damaged materials and pay a $15.00 processing fee per item. Replacement materials must be the same ISBN and year (or make and model of equipment) as the lost or damaged item, unless otherwise designated by the library cataloger. The library is not responsible for data left on any laptop, tablet, or other device.   Students are responsible for backing up all data before returning electronic devices.

LATE FEES AND HOLDS**
All library materials and equipment available for checkout are due promptly on the return due date. Late Fees begin to accrue as soon as materials and/or devices are past due in the system. (Please note: library fines do not accrue during holidays, breaks or weekends.)

Late Fees vary according to the type of the materials/equipment.

 

                  
Processing Fees are $15.00 per item.

Replacement Costs are assessed at the time it becomes clear that the materials will not be returned, and vary based on availability and value of each item.
  
A Library Checkout Hold will prevent the student from borrowing materials, renewing materials, or placing holds, until the account is cleared.  A checkout hold will be placed on the student’s library patron account automatically:
·    When their fines reach $10.00 or are more than six days old.
·    When they have overdue library materials on their patron account.
·    Two weeks before the end of every term, all student patron accounts are placed on temporary hold. This particular hold is for account assessment and may be cleared by circulation staff once the patron account has been assessed and is in good standing.
 
A Student Accounts Hold will be placed on a student’s account when a fine is sent to the Office of Student Accounts, per the Student Enrollment Agreement. A student accounts hold may cause all grades, transcripts, and future enrollment to be withheld until the student account for the current semester is cleared. Please contact the Office of Student Accounts with any questions.

A Student Account Hold may be placed on a student’s account when:
·    Fines over $10.00 are overdue 30 days from the date of issuance, or the first business day after the last class meeting date of that semester, whichever comes first.
·    Fines under $10.00 are overdue 8 weeks, or the day after the last class meeting date of that semester, whichever comes first.

**It is not within the Library’s purview to make exceptions to College hold policies; students may direct questions and concerns about checkout or student account holds to the Student Affairs Office.
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FACULTY & STAFF CHECKOUT POLICY
The Library manages the lending of materials to faculty and staff (borrowers) using the Virtua system.  Currently employed faculty and staff with a valid Otis ID and a completed Library Checkout Agreement form may reserve and checkout materials using the following procedures. The Checkout Agreement outlines the basic terms and conditions of the transaction as well as the borrowers responsibility while using library materials. A complete list of library policies can be found on our website at: http://www.otis.edu/life_otis/library/loanpol.html and in the Faculty and Staff handbooks.

RENEWALS

  
Renewals will not be allowed if there is a Request for the item in the system.
Online renewals:  Starting 3 days before materials are due, when a borrowers library account is current and they have no library issued holds, materials may be renewed online or through the Library’s Online Public Access Catalog using their Otis Xnumber and Self-Service PIN.  If the borrower has difficulty renewing items, they should contact the circulation desk immediately.

EQUIPMENT USE
The Library’s equipment inventory is regularly maintained and considered to be in good condition for their circulation age, and in the case of electronic or visual media, in good working order. The borrower is responsible for inspecting the equipment before they leave the lab.  If any missing or damaged items are found, they must notify the technician on duty and make note of the condition in the system. The equipment is to be used in accordance with the proper operating procedures outlined in the user documentation. The Library is not responsible for data left on any laptop, tablet, or other device. The borrower is responsible for backing-­‐up all data before returning equipment.

REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT
The borrower is expected to return materials clean and in working order, and is responsible for all repair or replacement costs for damage caused during their use. Replacement costs are assessed at the time it becomes clear that the materials will not be returned, and vary based on availability and value of each item. Repair costs will be estimated by the library’s cataloger. The replacement equipment must be the same ISBN or model, and condition, or newer equivalent. Please see the Library’s Circulation Manager for an itemize list of materials and costs being billed. Payment should be made at the Library Circulation Desk, by cash or check.

HOLDS AND RECOURSE*
A Checkout Hold is automatically placed on the borrower’s account once any material is overdue in the system. A Checkout Hold will prevent the patron from borrowing materials from the library.  Any Library materials overdue 30 days from the original due date and/or non-­‐payment of repair or replacement costs will be noted as delinquent in the Virtua system. Faculty account delinquencies will be forwarded to the Provost’s Office, and non-­‐Academic Affairs Staff delinquencies will be referred to Human Resources. Non-­‐payment of repair or replacement charges will be noted in the context of annual Performance Evaluations.

*It is not within the Library’s purview to make exceptions to College checkout policies; Faculty may direct their concerns to the Provost’s Office, and Staff to Human Resources, should the need arise.

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GENERAL POLICIES

• There is no copy stand available for use; please contact the Photo Lab on the sixth floor.
• The library maintains an ongoing collection of magazines. We do not throw them away. Bound volumes of back issues can be found in the periodicals stacks.
• Magazines, Reference, Special Collections and Artist's Books do NOT circulate. A copier and a large format, flatbed scanner are both available for your use. There is a 15-minute time limit for these machines while other patrons are waiting.
• Allow 24 hours when requesting Bound Periodicals that are located in the Library Annex. Request forms are available at the circulation desk. You may also page items through the online catalog. Requests expire after one day, materials will then be reshelved.
• Special Collections and Artist's Books are accessible only between 9 am and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
• Reserve materials supplied by your instructor are held behind the Circulation Desk. To access reserve materials, please present the circulation staff with the following information: Teacher's name, class name, title of item, author of item, nature of material (book, Xerox, reader, etc..).

• Viewing what is checked out and account status
• Placing "holds" on materials checked out to other users
• Renewing your library materials.

Your Xnumber and Self Service Pin will be required.

1. Obtain an Otis ID card from Student Services department
2. Sign a Library Agreement Form

• The library considers compliance with due dates and overdue fines part of your education.

• There is a book return slot in the circulation desk near the entrance.
• There is an AFTER HOURS book drop available at the opposite end of the library entry hall.
• Items placed in this book drop will be checked in on the following business day. The book drop is checked only once a day.
• Please do not place videos in the book drop.
• Please remember to check all books for personal paperwork and remove all bookmarks including post-it notes.
• Videos and DVDs, CDs, CDXs, and World Music Tapes, must be returned during business hours and placed in the video return slot that is just outside the library security gates. Please be certain that all of the materials are placed in their corresponding cases, barcodes facing out.
• Remember to REWIND tapes.

• Two color copiers and two large-format flatbed scanners are available for your use. The use of the scanner is free. The copy machines do not take coins or bills. Use your student ID card and a debit or credit card to add value to your Paper Cut account. There is a card vend machine next to both the left copy machine arnd the Main Computer lab.
• Black & white copies are 5 cents each. Color copies are $.50 to $1. Please do not attempt to install paper in any Library owned machine. Library Staff are happy to help.
• Standard stapler, hole punch, and pencil sharpener, are located at the office supply station just right of the entrance. Please do not remove these materials from that location. Always clean up after yourself. White-out, glue stick, heavy-duty stapler, staple remover, compass, protractor, scotch tape, scissors, long-neck stapler and golf pencils are available for use upon request at the for use at the circulation desk.
• Please supply your own pens, paper clips, erasers and paper. Please refrain from removing paper from the copy machine or printer. You may have as much scrap paper as you like.
• Blue Books are sold in the Liberal Studies office. Text Books are sold at the beginning of every semester in the online bookstore, not in the library.
• Scissors, knives, X-acto blades, razor blades and all cutting devices are not permitted within the library. Please leave them in your car or your locker. If the library staff sees you with any cutting device in the library, it will be confiscated until you leave the library.
  

• The library is divided into two zones, talking and no talking. Please whisper while you are in the no talking section. Group study is allowed at the couches and at the talking zone tables only. Rambunctious behavior is not permitted.
• Please be considerate of others. Cell phone conversations should be conducted outside of the library.
• Do not run through the security gates--even if you are late for class.
• Beverages ARE allowed in the library but only those with lids. Greasy snacks are dangerous because the grease on your fingers can damage our books. Please refrain from bringing meals into the library. Please clean up after yourself.

Alumni Policies

Circulation Policies pdf.