Library Handbook

The mission of the Montgomery Community College Library is to provide access to information in a variety of formats and to serve as an integral part of the College’s teaching, learning, research, and service to traditional and distance learning students, faculty, staff, and community in direct support of the mission of the College.

To accomplish its mission, the Library continually works to build, with the collaboration of faculty, a collection of resources appropriate to the curriculum and to the current and future needs of the College community utilize current technologies to provide a system of organization and physical access to the collection of the library and to sources beyond the collection design and deliver instruction and consultation about the organization, content, and use of learning resources that inclues instruction that is user-based, on demand, and customizable provide a functional, accessible, attractive, user-centered physical facility to support and increase the use of learning and information resources.

Library cards are issued to students, faculty, staff and community members. Picture identification must be presented at the time of application. Cardholders must be at least 16 years of age or enrolled in a Montgomery Community College program. The library at MCC extends borrowing privileges to anyone who is a faculty member or student in the North Carolina Community College System and who currently holds a valid library card at his/her home institution. The Montgomery Community College Internet Acceptable Use Guidelines are part of the library card application.Library cards must be presented each time an item is checked out or renewed. The owner of the libray card used to check out materials is responsible for all items checked out on that card. Please report lost or stolen library cards immediately.

All library patrons are expected to return library materials on or before their due date. Materials may be returned to the ciruclation desk during library hours or placed in the book return in the hallway outside the library door in Capel Hall (Building 200). Although no overdue fines are charged, patrons are responsible for replacing materials that are lost or damaged. Patrons with overdue items will not be allowed to check out additional items. Students with overdue items or outstanding replacement fees will not be allowed to register or have transcripts forwarded.

Cell phones should be turned off or set to vibrate while in the library. Phone calls should be completed outside of the library.

Tobacco use is not permitted anywhere on MCC’s campus.

Drinks in containers with lids, bottles, covered cups, spill proof mugs or similar covered containers are allowed in the library. Individual snack size or wrapped food items are allowed in the library. Please dispose of all trash in the trash receptacles provided.

Children are not permitted in the library. No one under the age of 16 may use the library computers.

Occasional objections to a selection will be made by the public, despite the care taken to select valuable materials for student and teacher use and despite the qualifications of persons who select the materials.The principles of the freedom to read, the right to access of materials, and the professional responsibility of the staff must be defended, rather than the materials.If a complaint is made, the procedures below will be followed:

1. The complaint will be courteously received, but no commitment will be made.

2. The complainant will be invited to file his/her objections in writing on the prepared questionnaire. The questionnaire is printed in the Library Handbook (Appendix D) and a copy may be obtained in the Library. The completed questionnaire will be submitted to the Library Services Team as a formal complaint.

3. The questionable material will not be withdrawn until a decision has been made on the complaint.

4. The administration and the Board of Trustees will be informed of the objection.

5. The principles of an individual’s freedom to read material of his/her choice and of the professional responsibility of library professionals will be defended rather than the individual collection.

6. The NCLA Intellectual Freedom Committee and the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee will be notified.

7. Appeal of the decision of the Library Services Team will be to the administration, the Board of Trustees, and the courts.

Evaluation of resources is a cooperative effort that involves both faculty and professional library staff. A comprehensive collection evaluation is completed on a rotating basis to occur at least once every four years, in conjunction with outside accreditation agencies, as a part of North Carolina state board reviews, or when there are program additions or changes. This activity is coordinated by the Director of Learning Resources in cooperation with the Program Heads and should include as many faculty as possible.Collection Evaluation forms (Appendix E) will be distributed to Program Heads during spring semester. The faculty will review the collection to determine which titles need to be discarded or replaced with more recent editions. The reviewer(s) will note areas that are not well represented and make recommendations for purchase in those areas. By the end of fall semester, the Collection Evaluation forms will be returned to the Director of Learning Resources. Discards will be removed as library staff time permits. Recommended new titles will be added as funds are available.

2011 Business Technologies
2012 Commercial Technologies
2013 Arts & Sciences
2014 Health/Public Services Technologies

*Nursing materials will be reviewed annually.

A current, relevant library collection is maintained by careful selection of new materials and removal of materials that are out-of-date, inaccurate, worn out, or superseded by more recent editions.MCC does not currently own collections of archival documents or items requiring special preservation techniques. As a matter of on-going collection management, all items are evaluated for damage through usage. Minor damage will be repaired in-house if possible. Items sustaining damage beyond in-house repair will be evaluated for replacement, rebinding or elimination following criteria for the MCC selection and de-accession policies.

Factors to be considered by the library professionals who coordinate the purchase of resources include

• Characteristics and needs of students
• Curricula of the College
• Present library collection
• Potential use
• Result of collection evaluation completed by faculty
• Collection needs identified by the program review process
• Budget
• State, regional, and national standards for college libraries
• Requirements for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and North Carolina state review boards.

Instructors should put in purchase requests throughout the year and keep a list of requested titles on file in the Library at all times, not just during the four-year collection evaluation process.

The Library Services Team affirms its support of intellectual freedom consistent with the official position of the American Library Association (ALA). The Library Services Team endorses the Library Bill of Rights (Appendix A) and the Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights (Appendix B) as espoused by the ALA.The Library staff affirms its support of the American Library Association Code of Ethics (Appendix C).

Reference books are for use inside the library.
Books from the general circulating collection may be checked out for 14 days by students and community patrons, 90 days by instructors.
Entertainment videos may be checked out for 2 days.
Instructional videos may be checked out only by instructors for 7 days.
Reserve materials will vary based on instructor request.
Back issues of periodicals may be checked out for 3 days.
Netbooks may be checked out by currently enrolled students for in-library use only or by faculty for classroom use.

One renewal is permitted provided no holds have been placed on the materials.

Orientation sessions and library tours are available for instructors and students. These sessions will be personalized for each instructor and class with a focus on materials appropriate to the assignment and/or course content.

A coin-operated copier is located in the library. Patrons may make their own copies at ten cents ($.10) per copy. This copier accepts nickels, dimes, and quarters and one dollar bills. Change is not available in the library. A change machine is located in the student lounge in Building 100. The library staff will not photocopy material for patrons, but will be happy to assist in explaining how to use the copier. All patrons using the photocopier will be expected to abide by all Copyright and Fair Use laws and guidelines.

There is a printer available for printing from the computers. Curriculum students are not charged a printing fee for class-related printing. All other library users are expected to pay 10 cents ($.10) per page. The printer will duplex and print on both sides of the paper. Double sided copies will cost 20 cents ($.20) per sheet. This printer also scans and saves to a USB drive. Scanning is free of charge. All patrons using the printer/scanner will be expected to abide by all Copyright and Fair Use laws and guidelines.

The library will accept all gifts of books and other media on condition that they meet the basic selection standards used to select library materials.Generally, gifts are accepted only when they add strength to the collection and have no significant limitations about housing, handling or disposition of duplicate, damaged, or undesirable items presented. It is recognized that gifts frequently require more time to screen, organize, catalog, and process than new materials. Storage space and staff time requirements must be considered in accepting gift material. In acknowledgement of gifts, attention should be called to government recognition for tax purposes, as well as the impropriety of any appraisal by the recipient of a donation. Montgomery Community College will not assign a monetary value to any gift. Recognition of memorial gifts and a general letter of acceptance will be given to the donor. The Foundation must accept all gifts.

All library patrons are expected to return library materials on or before their due date. Materials may be returned to the circulation desk during library hours or placed in the book return in the hallway outside the library door in Building 200. Although no overdue fines are charged, patrons are responsible for replacing materials that are lost or damaged. Patrons with overdue items will not be allowed to check out additional items. Students with overdue items or outstanding replacement fees will not be allowed to register for classes or have transcripts forwarded.Replacement cost for books and videos will include:

The cost listed in the item’s catalog record or the current retail purchase price.

$2.50 processing and barcode fee.

Refunds will be handled through the business office, provided library materials are returned in good condition within ninety (90) days. Patrons should bring the library material and receipt to the circulation desk to make the request for a refund. All refund requests must be made prior to June 1 of the school year in which payment was made.

The selection of materials involves many people: students, faculty, staff, administrators and library professionals. The responsibility for coordinating the selection of instructional materials and making the recommendations for purchase rests with the professionally trained library personnel. The librarian has the specific responsibility for evaluating the existing library collection and using reports of reputable, unbiased, professionally prepared evaluations to assist in selection of new materials. If controversy arises concerning an item to be purchased or the priority of an item, the Library Services Team will make a purchasing recommendation.

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgement of free expression and free access to ideas.

5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

6. 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. Amended February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980, inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council.)

An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights A strong intellectual freedom perspective is critical to the development of academic library collections and services that dispassionately meet the education and research needs of a college or university community. The purpose of this statement is to outline how and where intellectual freedom principles fit into an academic library setting, thereby raising consciousness of the intellectual freedom context within which academic librarians work. The following principles should be reflected in all relevant library policy documents.

1. The general principles set forth in the Library Bill of Rights form an indispensable framework for building collections, services, and policies that serve the entire academic community.

2. The privacy of library users is and must be inviolable. Policies should be in place that maintain confidentiality of library borrowing records and of other information relating to personal use of library information and services.

3. The development of library collections in support of an institution’s instruction and research programs should transcend the personal values of the selector. In the interests of research and learning, it is essential that collections contain materials representing a variety of perspectives on subjects that may be considered controversial.

4. Preservation and replacement efforts should ensure that balance in library materials is maintained and that controversial materials are not removed from the collections through theft, loss, mutilation, or normal wear and tear. There should be alertness to efforts by special interest groups to bias a collection through systematic theft or mutilation.

5. Licensing agreements should be consistent with the Library Bill of Rights, and should maximize access.

6. Open and unfiltered access to the Internet should be conveniently available to the academic community in a college or university library. Content filtering devices and content-based restrictions are a contradiction of the academic library mission to further research and learning through exposure to the broadest possible range of ideas and information. Such restrictions are a fundamental violation of intellectual freedom in academic libraries.

7. Freedom of information and of creative expression should be reflected in library exhibits and in all relevant library policy documents.

8. Library meeting rooms, research carrels, exhibit spaces, and other facilities should be available to the academic community regardless of research being pursued or subject being discussed. Any restrictions made necessary because of limited availability of space should be based on need, as reflected in library policy, rather than on content of research or discussion.

9. Whenever possible, library services should be available without charge in order to encourage inquiry. Where charges are necessary, a free or low-cost alternative (e.g. downloading to disc rather than printing) should be available when possible.

10. A service philosophy should be promoted that affords equal access to information for all in the academic community with no discrimination on the basis of race, values, gender, sexual orientation, cultural or ethnic background, physical or learning disability, economic status, religious beliefs, or views.

11. A procedure ensuring due process should be in place to deal with requests by those within and outside the academic community for removal or addition of library resources, exhibits, or services.

12. It is recommended that this statement of principle be endorsed by appropriate institutional governing bodies, including the faculty senate or similar instrument of faculty governance.

(Approved by ACRL Board of Directors: June 29, 1999 Adopted July 12, 2000, by the ALA Council.)

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.

1. 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.

2. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.

3. 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.

4. We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.

5. 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.

6. We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.

7. 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.

8. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of coworkers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.

Adopted June 28, 1997, by the ALA Council; amended January 22, 2008 Montgomery Community College 1011 Page Street, Troy, NC 27371