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Policies

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En español: Políticas de la Biblioteca (PDF), 26/5/2022

Contents

Animals

The University Library adheres to Appalachian’s Animals on Campus policy. In accordance with this policy, the library permits only service animals.

Policy updated: May 2016

Atrium - Requests and Use

See Special Events Policies and Procedures

Broyhill Conference Room 421

See Special Events Policies and Procedures

Cell phones

  1. Please turn off the ringer upon entering the building.
  2. Patrons should restrict cell phone usage to the first and second floors.
  3. If you must use your phone in the Library, be considerate. Please use the designated areas, speak quietly and keep your conversation brief. Designated areas are the first and second floors and the atrium.

Collection development

Conduct

To ensure that the library is inviting as a place for research and study for all users, the Library expects that patrons behave in a respectful manner. Please refrain from the following activities:

  • Behavior that can be interpreted as creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. See the University Policy on Discrimination and Harassment.
  • Disruptive behavior.
  • Removing library materials or property without checking them out or without authorization.
  • Misusing or tampering with computing or media equipment or Internet connections or Internet resources. See the University Policy on the Use of Computers and Data Communications and the Library’s Internet Access Policy.
  • Using any form of tobacco products including any form of electronic nicotine delivery system better known as e-cigarettes. See the University Policy 303.25 Tobacco and Related Product Restrictions on University Property.
  • Using a cell phone in areas not designated for their use. See Cell Phone Use Policy.
  • Violating the Food & Drink Policy
  • Mutilating library materials by marking, underlining, removing pages or portions of pages or removing electronic theft detection devices.
  • Defacing equipment, furniture, or the building or any behaviors likely to result in destruction, damage, misuse or abuse of Library property.
  • Being in an unauthorized area of the Library, or remaining in the Library after closing or during emergency situations or drills.

Misuse of the library, whether by theft, mutilation, or vandalism of library materials or property, or by interference with study and research activities of library users is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Persons who commit or attempt to commit offenses referred to in the Student Code of Conduct , in the Library Conduct Policy, or in other Library, State and University policies applicable to the Library, whether members of the University Community or not, may be asked to leave the Library, and may be subject to university, civil, and criminal sanctions. These sanctions might include being banned from the library or from the entire campus.

Policy updated October 22, 2014.

Digital Signage in the Library

Scope and Purpose
The digital signage program is intended to support the mission and vision of the Appalachian State University Libraries. The signage provides an information platform aimed at promoting library services and sponsored, or hosted events and activities. The primary audience for signage is current students, staff, and faculty and more broadly all visitors to the University Libraries.

Intended Use
Improve engagement and visibility for library services, events and activities.
In general, campus events unaffiliated with the Library will not be posted.
Content from those not affiliated with Appalachian State will not be posted.

Use of digital signage is subject to all applicable campus policies and guidelines.

 Policy updated January 2019.

Food

  • Put a cover/lid on your drinks
  • Leave no trace; clean up after yourself.
  • Recycle; take the time to place paper and beverage containers in the appropriate bin.
  • Special Collections (4th floor) prohibits both food and drink.

Policy adopted December 2008

Gifts and donations

  1. Belk Library will accept donations of books and other materials from individuals or organizations.
  2. Belk Library reserves the right to determine the disposition of any gift materials which it receives.
  3. Materials appropriate to the various collections held by the Library will be placed in those collections.
  4. Other materials will be held for the on-going book sale or be disposed of in an appropriate manner.
  5. Belk Library cannot give evaluations on donations for income tax purposes.

Group study rooms

Availability: Group study rooms are available for ASU students, faculty, and staff. The study rooms are not locked and no key is required to access the rooms.

Usage: Study rooms are intended for use by two or more people for group study. They are not to be used as classrooms. You may use a group study room without a reservation unless someone has booked the room at the same time.

Reservations: You may only make one booking at a time. Maximum time is four hours. Someone with a reservation has preference for the room at the reserved time. If you use a study room without a reservation, we ask that you vacate the room to honor those with advanced bookings.

Cancellations: If you cannot honor your reservation, please cancel your room booking.

Lost or stolen items: Do not leave personal items unattended. Belk Library is not liable for lost or stolen items.

Assistance: If you need assistance with booking or clearing a study room, please come by the Library Service Desk.

Hours 24/5

During Fall & Spring semesters the library is open 24 hours 5 days each week to meet the study and research needs of Appalachian students, staff, and faculty.   All services provided by the library cease by 12 midnight.  Operating hours as well as exceptions and summer hours can be found on the hours calendar.  After 12 midnight the building is open only for Appalachian students, staff, and faculty.  Entrance to the building after 12 midnight is available by using the AppCard swipe system at the library exterior doors. Security officers check for AppCard identification beginning at 12 midnight. Card swipe access remains in force until 7:30 am weekdays.

Internet use

The Appalachian State University Library provides full Internet access in order to support the scholarly activities of Appalachian’s faculty, students, and staff. While controversial and inaccurate material may be obtained on the Internet, the University Library does not monitor patrons’ use of information resources, nor is the Library responsible for censoring access or protecting individuals from controversial or offensive material.

Library workstations must be used in accordance with the Appalachian State University Use of Computers and Data Communications Policy, and in accordance with United States and North Carolina statutes of law.

Users are reminded that the library is a public place and are strongly encouraged to be considerate and not expose others to material and images that might be considered offensive. Indeed, so exposing others to such materials could violate state or Federal law or University policies, including the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment and the aforementioned Computer Usage Policy. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children’s use of library materials, whether found on the Internet or among the Library’s other collections.

The Library’s Internet Access Policy is based upon the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and American Library Association documents, including The Library Bill of Rights and Access to Digital Information, Services, and Networks: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.

Policy adopted April 13, 1999.

Library instruction rooms 024 and 026

Carol Grotnes Belk Library and Information Commons provides instruction rooms primarily for use by the Library's Information Literacy and Instruction program. For more information, please see our Instruction Program and Services page. 

Requesting a Library Instruction room

  • Library instruction rooms are reserved exclusively for library instruction during the fall semester from the first day of classes through November 7 and spring semester from the first day of classes through April 12. The schedule availability of the library instruction rooms is subject to change.
  • ASU Faculty and Staff may request use of these rooms after these dates; however, requests for library instruction have priority.
  • Semester-long courses will not be scheduled in the instruction rooms; departments may not schedule these rooms as a classroom.
  • Please check the hours posted for Belk Library and Information Commons. The library instruction rooms may only be used at times that the Library is open.

Policies and Procedures

  • The faculty member, graduate teaching assistant, or staff member responsible for the class will be in the instruction room during the entire reservation period.
  • Use of the Library instruction rooms for public performances of films, regardless of the nature or source of the film, requires proof of compliance with the United States copyright laws and the University’s policies with regard to film exhibitions.
  • Room access is provided by staff from the main floor Library Services Desk at the time of the event. Please stop by a few minutes before the start of the event.

The Library reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a reservation due to Library need.

Policy updated November 2019

Lost and found

All library lost and found items are to be turned in at the Library Service Desk on the first floor. Every effort will be made to notify the owner. The remaining unclaimed items will be dealt with as follows:

  1. AppCards will be held for one week. If unclaimed, the cards will be taken to the AppCard Office each Friday (lower level of Trivette Hall).
  2. Valuables (e.g., jewelry, credit cards, etc.) not claimed will be turned over to University Police on a weekly basis.
  3. Toys, school supplies and other useful items will be held for one week, and then taken to charity organization or discarded.
  4. Book rentals inadvertently returned to the library will be taken to ASU Campus Bookstore every Friday. The Library is not responsible for any late fees or fines associated with ASU book rentals.
  5. Books, movies, recordings, etc. will be kept for two weeks. If these items are not claimed, they will be considered library donations.
  6. Flash drives, and other electronic devices will be held for three weeks. If the items are not claimed then the electronic devices will be reformatted and kept for library use or discarded.
  7. Medications will be held for up to three days. If the owner’s information is on the bottle, an attempt will be made to contact the person. If no owner is found or the medication is unclaimed, then the medications will be discarded.
  8. All other items not claimed will be disposed of properly.

Policy revised August 17, 2016.

Makerspace

See the Makerspace Policies and FAQ

Minors

Individuals 12 and under must be accompanied and closely supervised by a parent or caregiver, age 18 or older. Adults who bring minors into the library are responsible for monitoring their activities and regulating their behavior at all times.

Belk Library and Information Commons is an academic library that welcomes community users. As an academic library the focus is on providing resources and services meeting the curricula and research needs of the students, faculty and staff of Appalachian State University. Behavior expectations for patrons, regardless of age or affiliation, are outlined in Belk Library and Information Commons Conduct Policy.

Parents and caregivers are responsible for a minor’s use of the resources and facilities of the Library, including use of the Internet. It should be noted that the Library’s computers contain no filtering software. See the University’s Policy on the Use of Computers and Data Communications and the Library’s Internet Access Policy.

Belk Library and Information Commons is a large, public access building. A child left alone could possibly be persuaded to leave with a stranger, become disoriented within the building, or engage in conduct which may lead to injury. Appalachian State University, including library staff, cannot monitor the location of library users or be responsible for the safety of children of any age who are in the Library.

The following procedures will be followed by library staff when children age 12 and under are in the Library and appear to be unaccompanied by a responsible adult.

  1. The child(ren) will be asked if an adult is with them. If the response is affirmative, the child(ren) will be asked where the adult is and accompanied to join the adult. If the response is negative, the child(ren) will be told that they cannot be in the Library without an adult. The child(ren) will be taken to the 1st floor circulation services desk to let them call someone to either join them at the Library or pick them up.
  2. While a staff member will not prevent the child(ren) from leaving the Library unaccompanied, the child(ren)will not be required to leave until accompanied by an adult.

November, 2006 - Approved by Library Services Committee
May, 2007 - Approved by Academic Affairs

Public use computers

Campus IT requires logins for all public computers on campus. The library provides a generous number of computers for public use on the main floor.  Login tickets for the public are available free of charge at the Library Service Desk located near the public use computers.  Logins provide 3 consecutive hours of computer use daily.

Signs

The general posting of notices, signs, etc., in Belk Library and Information Commons should be confined to designated bulletin board(s). Notices, signs, etc. should not be posted on the exterior of the building, painted surfaces, doors, windows, furniture, etc. Postings in violation of these guidelines are subject to removal.

Privacy of library records

Appalachian State University Libraries’ policy with regard to the confidentiality of library records adheres to the following:

Acting within the guidelines of Appalachian State University’s Policy Statement on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Appalachian State University Libraries will not release the details of a student’s library bill to a third party without the explicit written permission of the student.

Programming Space

Belk Library and Information Commons accepts learning oriented proposals for programs, exhibits or book displays that align with its goals and mission.

The 732 square foot flexible programming space is located on the first floor.  The space includes the Dr. Betsy E. Brown Visualization Wall which we encourage students, staff, and faculty to use as an enhancement to programs.  While priority is given to student study, the area is designed to accommodate programs and study simultaneously.

  • Complete the request form to be considered. 
  • Requests must be made 30 days in advance and may be denied if they do not align with the learning oriented goals and mission of the library. 
  • Completion of the request form does not ensure space availability or program approval. 
  • Please allow 5 business days for a response. For more information contact Ken Johnson at johnsnkw@appstate.edu.
  • Food is not permitted to be offered as part of the program.

Please note that University Library programs and events have initial scheduling priority, and reservations are contingent on space availability. Appalachian departments and recognized clubs and organizations may request the space. The space is not available for non-Appalachian affiliated organizations. Proposals must not be for profit or benefit a commercial enterprise.

The space is reserved exclusively for student study 2 weeks before and during finals of the Spring and Fall semesters. Length of reservations is up to two weeks, special approval is required for longer reservations. The space may be reserved no further than six months prior to the requested date. Programs may not be scheduled on days or at times the Library is closed.

Typically programs will be set up on the first day scheduled and taken down on the last day of the scheduled time frame. If on the second day of the scheduled time the space has not been utilized as agreed upon, the Library reserves the right to reschedule the space. If the display has not been removed by the day after the scheduled event is over, the Library reserves the right to remove said items.

The coordinator of the program is responsible for the order and cleanliness of the program space. Charges for damages may apply. The Library takes no responsibility for the security of displayed materials.

Room 114

See Special Events Policies and Procedures

Special Events

See Special Events Policies and Procedures

Storage lockers

Belk Library has two types of lockers for students: wall lockers and study tables with lockers.

Please note: For any issues or disputes regarding our lockers, please refer to the Library Service Desk on the first floor.

Wall lockers

  • Eligibility: All students enrolled at ASU
  • Location: Third floor of Belk Library, along the wall west of the grand stairwell
  • Loan period: One semester
  • Cost: Free

Study tables with lockers

  • Eligibility: Graduate students enrolled at ASU
  • Location: third floor of Belk Library, along the west and northwest walls
  • Loan period: One semester
  • Cost: Free

Note: Graduate students check out the entire table each semester. Please move to another space if asked by the student who has the table checked out.

Availability: All lockers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You may request to use a locker at the Library Service Desk at the following times: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Requesting a specific locker or study table may be only allowed under special circumstances. Please speak to someone at the Library Service Desk to make such a request.

Keys and locks: The storage lockers are secured with a key lock. Padlocks or personal locks of any type are not permitted. If padlocks or personal locks are used, they will be cut off and your locker privileges will be withdrawn.

Fines and fees: Overdue fines for checked-out keys are $1 per day up to a maximum of $50. A replacement fee of $50 will be assessed for any key not returned. A key is considered “lost” if a library staff member is required to open the locker.

Conditions of use: Do not post notices on study tables or lockers. Do not cover the locker vents in any way. Violation of these conditions will result in the loss of locker privileges.

Personal items, such as laptops, may be stored in the lockers. Please note, however, that the Library and the University assume no responsibility for personal items that are lost or stolen while stored in the lockers.

Storage of library materials: All library materials kept in the lockers must be checked out by the user. Library staff reserve the right to routinely check the lockers to verify that the library materials are properly checked out. If a locker is discovered to contain library materials not properly checked out, they will be emptied and the user’s privileges will be revoked.

Clearing lockers: Storage lockers must be cleared by the end of each checkout period. If the user fails to clear the locker of all materials by the fourth day after the due date, library staff will take the following actions:

  • Library materials will be removed, checked in, and returned to the shelves.
  • If any personal items are found after lockers have been vacated, emails will be sent to the person and the items will be held for one week. If the patron has not responded or claimed their items after 1 week, then the items will be disposed of.
  • The user will be billed for any keys that are lost or not returned ($50).

Policy updated August 2016

Weather - Library Adverse Weather policy

Belk Library & Information Commons hours
During fall and spring semesters, the Belk Library operates on a 24/5 schedule. The Belk Library opens Sunday at 10 am and closes Friday at 9 pm. Saturday hours are 10 am to 6 pm.  During periods of adverse weather, the University sets Condition levels which guide campus services.  Those levels are defined on the official campus Adverse Weather & Emergency Closing Policy. 

For the Belk Library & Information Commons, during any Condition 2 periods which break the overnight 24/5 schedule, the library will open at 7:30 am and close at 9 pm Monday to Thursday, close on Friday at 5 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 9 pm. On Saturday, the library will attempt to keep normal operating hours of 10 am to 6 pm. If the Condition 2 period covers the entirety of Saturday, the library will be closed.

For example: If campus officials enact Condition 2 status on a Wednesday at 2pm and designate it to expire at 10 am on Thursday, then the library will close at 9 pm Wednesday night and will reopen on Thursday morning at 7:30 am.

During final exam week and including 1 week prior to exam week, Belk Library will remain open normally scheduled hours to assist students with their academic pursuits. Some service desks may be closed.

Policy adopted October 2021