Policies

Library Conduct Policy

The University Libraries is committed to creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive to all. Your cooperation helps us create positive and productive spaces conducive to study and scholarly collaboration. This includes:

• Treating others with dignity and respect
• Refraining from engaging in behavior that creates a disturbance or interferes with the use of the library for research and study.
• Remaining fully clothed while using resources, services and spaces within Meyer Library. 

The following behaviors are deemed unacceptable within an academic library:

• Writing in, underlining, highlighting or otherwise damaging library materials
• Using scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, skates, etc. (except those assisting persons with disabilities), within the library or near library entrances
• Exposing others to pornographic or obscene images
• Leaving minors (children under the age of 12) unsupervised within the library [See Unattended Children Policy]
• Consuming alcohol or exhibiting behavior which indicates intoxication or illegal drug use
• Smoking, vaping, or using electronic cigarettes
• Entering any non-public, restricted, or closed area of the library, including opening emergency exits or activating emergency alarms, except in emergencies
• Stalking, harassing, or making unwanted sexual advances
• Causing a disturbance while obtaining signatures on a petition.  Signatures may not be obtained inside the library except within the context of scheduled meetings in library meeting rooms.

Loan Periods

Meyer Study Room Reservation Policy

Purpose: Study rooms are intended as a place for students, staff, and faculty to study, research, and collaborate. These rooms should not be reserved as meeting space to conduct University business.

Study Room Use

• If not reserved, study rooms are available on a first come, first served basis.
• Individuals may reserve study rooms up to two weeks in advance.
• People can reserve a room for no more than two hours per day across all study rooms.

Overdue Fines

The MSU Libraries provides the university community with access to resources, services and spaces that support learning and scholarship. In an effort to serve as many users as possible, the following policies have been established for *high-use and/or damaged materials. 

*High-use materials include laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, tech equipment and reserve items. 

Users are provided courtesy notices when materials are checked out, recalled, overdue or declared lost. Users also receive courtesy notices when items are coming due (this excludes 2-hour checkouts). When items are returned late, recalled or overdue, a fine is charged to the user’s account. 

Fines are transferred to Financial Services daily and typically posted to the user’s account within 48 hours of being transferred. If an item is considered lost, library staff will search for the item, potentially resulting in a delayed fine transfer. The item may also remain on the account for the time being. 

If the material is found within the library, the item (and all charges) will be removed from the user’s account. If the material is not located, the user will be responsible for the replacement charge.

Mistakes can happen. If you think there has been an error resulting in a financial charge on your account, please contact the Library Information Desk to appeal your charges. 

“Lost” materials found by the user will retain their processing fee and overdue charge. These items are eligible for return within one year of being declared lost. If the item has not yet been replaced, the Libraries will issue a credit for the replacement cost to the user's account via Financial Services.

Users are responsible for all charges associated with their account. These charges cannot be transferred to a specific university department, unit or office. Unpaid fines will result in encumbrances being placed on student accounts.  

Library Partnerships 

MSU Libraries is responsible for following the policies established by external libraries. As a result, the MSU Libraries cannot waive fees and fines charged by these partners.

Proxy Cards Policy

• Proxy Authorization is a service offered to Missouri State faculty and staff members who want other Missouri State individuals to be able to check out materials for the faculty/staff member.
• Completed cards will be given to the faculty or staff person to give to their proxy. The proxy will have the authority to check out library materials for the identified faculty/staff member only at the Springfield Missouri State University libraries.
• A proxy must present the proxy card and a valid picture ID to check out items using the card.
• Only three proxies may be authorized at any given time for one faculty/staff member.
• All proxies will be authorized for a maximum of one year, unless the faculty/staff member specifies a shorter period of time. After 1 year please submit another form and bring in the old proxy card if possible.
• The faculty/staff member is responsible for all materials borrowed on his or her patron record by an authorized proxy. This includes responsibility for payment of all fines and replacement charges.
• Faculty/staff members who use a proxy are encouraged to view their library accounts on a regular basis (we suggest weekly) to confirm all materials checked out by the proxy have been approved by the faculty/staff member. 
• You can also fill out a printable form and return it to the Meyer Library Information Desk

Unattended Children Policy

Library staff cannot assume responsibility for children left unattended on Library property. While on Library property, children under 12 years of age (and those requiring supervision) must be in the physical presence and supervision of a responsible adult (defined as a parent, guardian, teacher or assigned caregiver who is at least 16 years of age).

If a responsible adult cannot be located, Library staff will contact MSU Security, which may contact appropriate agencies, which may include emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies or the Missouri Department of Social Services–Children's Division.