Policies

Reference & Other Assistance

Instruction
Students may visit the Reference Desk on the first floor, where librarians instruct students in the use of the Library's online and print resources. Faculty may schedule librarian-led instruction sessions for their classes and individual research consultations with librarians (contact Barbara Quarton, Head of Reference, bquarton@csusb.edu). Self-paced, online tutorials are also available for students, faculty, staff, and community members on OLLIE.

Telephone Assistance
When you call the Reference Desk (537-5091), you will be given several options. If you choose to stay on the line, a reference librarian will answer your call. Depending on staffing and workload levels, you may be put on hold or be asked to call back at another time. In-person reference assistance has first priority during busy periods.

Upper Floors
Floors three through five of the Library may not be staffed during certain time periods. For general assistance related to locating specific materials on the upper floors, ask at the Circulation Desk on the first floor. When the Periodicals Service Desk is staffed, such questions may be directed to Library staff for location of materials on the third floor. Staffing and workload levels permitting, Circulation staff will assist with locating specific books or periodical issues. However, for research related assistance, please contact librarians at the Reference Desk.

Assistance to Persons with Disabilities
Please refer to the library's Special Needs/Adaptive Equipment page. Students are encouraged to call the Head of Library Public Services (537-5111) in advance, to request assistance. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests, however, staffing constraints at any given time may limit the availability of such assistance. The Services to Students with Disabilities Office (537-5238) should also be contacted for further assistance.

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Appropriate Conduct

Eating/Drinking
Because food and liquids can damage library materials, furniture, and computers, attract insects, and create non-recyclable trash; eating and drinking are not allowed in the Library. Please help us by leaving your food and drinks outside the Library building.

Cell Phone Use
The Library is a place where people need to concentrate (similar to a movie theater, or concert performance). Cell phones and pagers tend to distract people even when the user is speaking quietly. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you turn off your cell phone and not use it in the Library.

Lost/Damaged Materials
Books and other materials owned by the Library are costly to purchase and replace. These items are checked frequently by Library staff for damage such as torn-out pages, broken bindings, and graffiti. If loss or damage to Library property occurs during your borrowing period, you will be held responsible for the purchase price of the item as well as a $10 processing fee.

Security Gates
Library materials have security devices attached to deter theft. If a buzzer sounds when you exit the security gates of the Library, staff will ask to check your belongings. If any Library materials are found that have not been properly checked-out, you will need to fill out forms and/or be questioned by security personnel and face possible disciplinary action.

Harassment/Fighting
Verbal and/or physical abuse will not be tolerated in the Library. Security personnel will be called immediately if such activities occur.

Selling/Soliciting
Solicitation is not permitted in the Library. Please note the campus policy at http://policies.csusb.edu/speechadvocacy.htm under Use of Buildings and Grounds.

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Computer Use

Reference Terminals
The research terminals on the first floor connect to the Internet and may be used by anyone. These workstations are available on a first come, first served basis. No sign-up is required. Neither a password nor a student ID is required. However, the terminals are designated for research only. Personal e-mailing, chatting, web surfing, and playing games are not allowed. There is no word-processing software installed on these terminals. You cannot use these computers to type your papers.

The software programs on the reference terminal hard drives must not be altered in any way. Downloading of software and/or files to the hard drives is prohibited.

Computers on Upper Floors
The computer terminals on the third, fourth, and fifth floors are connected to the Library Catalog only. They do not connect to the Internet, and they have no word-processing software installed.

Wireless Network
You can use your own wireless-compliant laptop in the Library to connect to the Internet and the Library 's databases. Just set up your laptop and look for the "Wireless Access Zone" signs throughout the Library.

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Off Campus Users

Alumni Privileges
If you are a member of the Alumni Association, you may borrow books for 28 days and you may place requests for interlibrary loan services ($5 charge per filled request). We regret that due to licensing agreements, alumni are not eligible for remote access to the Library's databases.

School Visits
Groups may consist of up to 25 high-school students and must include at least 2 adult chaperones. At this time, we do not give guided tours of the Library. Requests for instruction for high-school students must be made in writing at least one week in advance and must include a copy of the students' research assignment.

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Building Policies

Selling/Soliciting
Solicitation is not permitted in the Library. Please note the campus policy at http://policies.csusb.edu/speechadvocacy.htm under Use of Buildings and Grounds.

Electronic Classrooms
Most library instruction sessions meet in one of the library's two computer classrooms. PL-2005 seats 24 students, and PL-5005 seats 16. The PL-2005 and PL-5005 classrooms are reserved for librarian-led instruction sessions, librarian professional development sessions, and library administration use. Any other use of these classrooms must be authorized by the Library Director or the Library Instruction Coordinator.

Group Study Rooms
Study rooms are available on the third, fourth, and fifth floors for groups of two or more students. The group study rooms are located on the "old" side of the Library in wireless access zones, so your wireless laptop can connect to the Internet. All rooms have a table and up to eight chairs, a whiteboard, and electrical outlets. No reservations are required; use is on a first-come, first-served basis. For those study rooms with chalk boards, chalk is available at the Reference Desk.

Quiet Zone
We offer the 5th floor as a haven for quiet study, but please be aware that complete silence is an unrealistic expectation in a public place. The reference librarians will enforce the ban on talking, cell phones, noise emanating from head phones, MP3 players, and other audible electronic devices by asking the users to move to another floor; however, if you have a very low tolerance for sound (such as that produced by fingers tapping a keyboard or by footsteps), please situate yourself away from potential problem areas.

InfoDen/Music Listening
The Info Den/Music Listening Facility is the point of access to the Library's collection of educational software, CD-ROMs, music CD's, and specialized equipment for viewing/listening. Only currently enrolled students, staff, and faculty may use this area; your campus ID is required to enter. Please consult the hours of this area at http://www.lib.csusb.edu/about/hours.cfm

Exhibits
To propose an exhibit, contact Bonnie Petry, the Library Exhibits Coordinator at bpetry@csusb.edu to fill out the Library Exhibit Proposal form. The coordinator will contact you to confirm approval of your proposed exhibit, its placement on the exhibit schedule, reservation of a display case, and any other necessary details.

Posting of Flyers and Posters in the Library
All items (flyers, handouts, and/or posters) must be approved by the Library before posting. Items posted without prior approval will be removed. Items are to be submitted to the Head of Library Public Services at the Library's Circulation Desk, 1st Floor. Generally, items which publicize CSUSB sponsored events will be posted. Items which are generally not accepted for posting include advertising related to commercial ventures, rooms for rent, job notices, sales notices, religious material, political propaganda, and other miscellaneous material which does not contribute to the intellectual and cultural life of the University. Library staff will post approved material in designated areas. Individuals/groups are NOT to post (staple, tack, tape, or by any other means of affixing) materials on Library (interior or exterior) windows, doors, pillars, or furniture. Material pre-approved by the Associated Students will not necessarily be posted in the Library. Items of a time-sensitive nature will be removed once time frames have elapsed.

Unattended Minors
Children are never to be left unattended in the Library. If unattended children are observed, Library staff will immediately notify Public Safety. Public Safety will then attempt to locate the parents or guardians of the children.

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