Library Policies

• Common Courtesy Policy
• Cell Phone Policy
• Circulation Policy
• Government Resources Collection and Access Policies
• Policy and Guidelines for Internet Use
• Donations to the Library
• Community Users

Common Courtesy Policy

• Cell phones should be set to a silent mode. Please do not disturb others with your phone conversations.
• Music from headphones should not be audible to others. Please keep the volume low.
• Academic assignments and projects have priority over email, game-playing, and other personal online activities. Online gambling is prohibited.
• Those engaged in group work must maintain consideration for other students. Keep voices low, and use the library's group study rooms as much as possible. (Laptops with wireless Internet connections can be checked out at the Circulation Desk.)
• BA 314 and BA 319 computer labs are to remain available to all students except during scheduled classes. Please see calendar posted outside the labs for unavailable times.
• 4th Floor is the designated "quiet floor." Keep voices to a whisper and avoid activities involving much noise.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Cell Phone Policy

In response to concerns raised by SMSU students, faculty, and staff in a 2008 National Library Week survey, the Library has amended its Common Courtesy Policy.

Ringing phones and loud conversations make library use difficult. To provide an environment conducive to study and research, we ask that you observe the following courtesies inside the library building:

1. Turn your cell phone off or switch to a silent mode when entering the library.
2. If you receive a call, place the caller on hold and move to a vacant study room or outside the main library entrance to complete your conversation.
3. If you must make a call, move to a study room or outside the main library entrance.

Policy and Guidelines for Internet Use

This policy was developed with consideration to:

• Principle of free access governing the use of traditional depository materials, as provided in Section 1911 of Title 44, United States Code.
• The Mission, Vision, and Values of Southwest Minnesota State University.
• Southwest Minnesota State University Library Mission 
• Minnesota Library Association’s Statement of Internet Access 

Computers, internet connections, and electronic resources are essential resources for nurturing an informed, democratic society and life-long learning. Campus computer labs with internet access are available for SMSU staff, faculty and students. Every effort is made to provide continuous service. SMSU and its Library provide members of the University community and Congressional District 7 shared access to these resources in support of accomplishing their respective missions.

In addition to the Access Policy for the Depository Collection, the library staff provides:

• Courteous and respectful service; focusing on the integration of quality customer service and respecting the confidentiality of internet use within the limits of SMSU policies as well as local, state, and federal statutes.
• Free internet access to electronic/online resources in the SMSU’s OPAC provided through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).
• Free and unrestricted searching of FDLP Electronic Collection resources and other federal government information.
• Appropriate technologies, in collaboration with SMSU library staff and campus Computer Services, to increase and facilitate use of the variety of electronic information provided by the federal government.
• Assistance and access tools for library users to search for and evaluate information when using electronic government resources efficiently.
• Current information/resources and notices regarding new or discontinued electronic resources.
• Promotional activities to raise the awareness about the availability of the depository electronic/internet resources and services.
• Educational/informational opportunities for users to develop their understanding and use of electronic depository resources and services.

In addition to the Access Policy for the Depository Collection, users of the depository/library computer equipment, electronic collection and services are expected to practice appropriate use of electronic resources. This includes, but is not limited by the following:

• Treat library computer equipment and electronic resources with care.
• Refrain from installing unauthorized software and/or changing setups on library computer equipment.
• Accept responsibility for the content and consequences of their own communications and searches. Federal, state, and local laws apply to all electronic interactions and publicly-presented online information.
• Responsible for honoring property rights, copyrights, patents, licensing agreements, and for giving proper credit for intellectual property.
• Be aware of conditions of service. Refrain from monopolizing systems, overloading systems or networks with excessive data, or wasting computer time, disk space, printer paper, or other resources.
• Refrain from taking electronic depository resources (compact disks, DVDs, etc.) out of the library without first checking them out at the circulation desk.

In cases of suspected misuse, disruption of system integrity, or illegal use of internet services, Southwest Minnesota State University Library has the right to fully investigate any suspected misuse of its internet services and to take appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action.

Credit needs to be given to the following for assistance in the development of this policy:

~ University of Minnesota Libraries Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
~ Saint Louis Public Library Public Internet Use Policy
~ Weingand, Darlene E. Customer Service Excellence: A Concise Guide for Librarians. Chicago: American Library Association, 1997.