Building Use Policy
Computer Use Policy
Undergraduate, BCOMP, and Graduate Student Overdues and Fines
Faculty and Staff Overdues and Fines
Government Documents: Access Policy
Government Documents: Policy Concerning Depository Library Public Service Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Formats
Government Documents: Policy Concerning Federal Depository Library Program Internet Use
Interlibrary Loan Policies
Video Policy
 

Building Use Policy

The Musselman Library serves many constituencies in the College, community, and state.   With this building use policy, our goal is to promote responsible user behavior in order to meet everyone’s need for service and comfort while protecting library materials, furniture, equipment, and the building.

Food and Drink
Food is not allowed in any area of the Musselman Library because it can stain paper and attract insects and rodents. Any food intended for consumption at a later time must remain properly packaged and in backpacks, lunch bags, or purses at all times. Exceptions: Library-supervised functions (e.g., receptions), faculty-supervised classes (in the Fourth Floor Seminar Room), and College-sponsored functions in the Nord Room.  Food may be consumed by a person with a documented health condition (e.g., diabetes).
Beverages are permitted in most locations if they are in approved spill-proof containers (non-spill travel mugs and water bottles are allowed, but styrofoam cups and aluminum cans are not). Beverages are prohibited in the Archives, the Mennonite Historical Library, and at computer workstations and microform readers.
Persons who violate this policy will be asked to immediately dispose of their refreshments.

Examples of approved beverage containers	Examples of unapproved beverage containers

Alcohol and Tobacco Use
The use of alcohol and tobacco is not permitted on the Bluffton College campus.

Noise in Public Areas
All library staff and users should respect the rights of others to study and work in peace, and should refrain from making noise in study areas. In consideration of others, the use of cell phones is restricted to the Library’s lobby, and earphones must be used when listening to radios.  The Reading Room is reserved for quiet study space. Groups are encouraged to study in the fourth floor seminar room when classes are not in session or on the second floor.

Destroying or Damaging Library Materials and Equipment
Individuals who deface, destroy, or attempt to steal library materials and equipment will be asked to give library staff their identification card for photocopying, and the incident will be reported to the appropriate college administrator.

Animals
No animals, except service dogs, are allowed in the Library.

Paging and Telephone Calls
The Library does not have a paging system, but staff will attempt to locate people in the building in the event of an emergency.  A public phone is available to users in the Library lobby.

Posting Notices
The only public location in the Musselman Library for the posting of notices (other than official library items) is the bulletin board located in the stairwell near the Musselman Library entrance.  Anyone wishing to post announcements must submit them to the Director first for approval.  They will be dated and removed periodically.   Unapproved postings will be removed.

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Computer Use Policy

The Musselman Library provides computing resources for library users in support of the academic programs at Bluffton University. The library setting offers an environment that encourages exploration and learning through access to information and research materials online in close proximity to the print library collections needed for research. There are 15 computer workstations located throughout the library: 10, research area on the main floor; 3, second floor; 1, fourth floor; and 1, lower level (Mennonite Historical Collections area). All workstations are connected to the campus network and to the Internet and are networked to two printers on the main floor: a large-capacity laser printer and a color inkjet printer.

Bluffton University users with a valid Bluffton network account may log on to the library PCs and connect to campus network file storage. Community patrons and guests may use a guest account to log on at the workstations (login and password are posted at each PC) but do not have access to the file storage. Any user connected to the network in the library has full access to library databases and online services. Because of the library's contractual agreements with database providers, off-campus use of online resources is limited to registered students, faculty, and staff of Bluffton University.

Bluffton University students, faculty, and staff are considered primary users of library computer workstations and will be given priority in the use of these workstations. Community patrons, alumni, local high school students, and guests of the library may use the computer workstations for educational and research purposes when these workstations are not needed by primary users. Grade school and middle school students may use library computer workstations only when accompanied by a parent/guardian or when granted permission for limited time educational use (please ask at the Reference Desk).

Musselman Library supports the responsible use policies of the Bluffton Technology Department, expecting members of the campus community and guests to use technology resources with respect for other persons, as described fully in the Bluffton University Student Handbook. "Authorized users agree to use the campus network in accordance with the Bluffton standards for campus conduct and to abide by all relevant academic standards and laws with respect to copyright and the responsible use of network and internet resources."Excerpt from the Student Handbook

Activities that are considered appropriate for library computer use:

• Searching online catalogs and research databases
• Searching the Internet for study, research, and/or teaching
• Saving search results to disk, printer, or email
• Use of Office applications for assignments, campus activity groups, and other related projects.

Activities that are considered inappropriate for library computer use:

• Excessive and/or disruptive game playing, use of chat rooms and other online discussion groups
• Excessive printing
• Destroying files; damaging equipment
• Activity or behavior that violates the Bluffton University Community of Respect principles

Questions about this policy may be directed to Mary Jean Johnson, Library Director, or Paul Weaver, Reference Librarian.
Updated August 2004.

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Undergraduate, BCOMP, and Graduate Student Borrowing Privileges and Fines Policy

Visit our student borrowing policy page under Links for Students.

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Faculty and Staff Borrowing Privileges and Fines Policy

Visit our faculty and staff borrowing policy page under Links for Faculty.

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Government Documents Policies

Government Documents Access Policy

The Musselman Library of Bluffton University serves as a federal depository in Ohio's Fourth Congressional District. Our goal in selecting government documents is to support the research and general information interests of Bluffton University students, staff and faculty. We also seek to provide government information for members of the general public. This Government Documents Access Policy complements our Policy Concerning Depository Library Public Service Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Formats and our Policy Concerning Federal Depository Library Program Internet Use.

Library Hours
Library hours are posted at the front entrance as well as on the library's website. During the academic year, hours typically are as follows: Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday: 1-5 p.m.; Sunday: 1-10 p.m. Exceptions will be posted on the front entrance and on our website. Our status is also represented by the depository emblem adjacent to the front door.

Who can use?
Bluffton University students, staff and faculty, and members of the general public may make use of depository materials at any time during the above hours. No fees are associated with the use of these materials in the library. Photocopying charges apply equally to all users. Members of the general public wishing to check out materials will be charged $10 to have a card made.

Reference Services
Reference services are available from the library's Reference Desk. During the academic year, the desk is typically staffed Monday through Thursday from 1-3 p.m. and 6-10 p.m., and on Sunday from 1-10 p.m. Staff will be happy to assist with questions even when no one is stationed at the desk. Reference assistance is available to Bluffton University users and to the general public.

Location and Access
Most of our depository documents are currently integrated with the rest of the library's collection in Library of Congress call number order. These items can be freely accessed by Bluffton University patrons and by the general public. A number of other items are held in non-public areas -- some of these are accessible via our web-based catalog and need only be requested from staff. Other documents in closed areas had previously been available only through our Government Documents shelflist. This type of arrangement is expected to be phased out as we move to establishing a separate open-stacks area for Government Documents. Materials in this new area will be arranged in Sudoc call number order and accessible via our online catalog. In addition, a number of documents are housed in our pamphlet file, which is in a public area adjacent to the Reference Desk. Maps are held in several locations on the fourth floor of the library.

Indexes and Databases
The library has access to a number of indexes and databases, both in print and electronically, that can be useful to government documents researchers. Examples of these include, electronically: CIJE and RIE via ERIC, Congressional Universe, PAIS and the GPO Monthly Catalog. CIJE and RIE are also available in print, as is Andriot's Guide to Government Publications (1995). Researchers also have unrestricted internet access that allows them to use the vast array of government information online.

Policy Concerning Depository Library Public Service Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Formats

The purpose of this document is to clarify Musselman Library's policies concerning the use of and access to government information in electronic formats. This policy complements our Government Documents Access Policy and our Policy Concerning Federal Depository Library Program Internet Use.

General Access
Musselman Library seeks to offer free access to online government information offered through the FDLP. This service is available to Bluffton University students, staff and faculty, as well as to members of the general public. To this end, Musselman Library offers access to the FDLP Electronic Collection. Access is free and unrestricted by factors such as age or residency status. At this time, neither time limits nor sign-up sheets are in use. Filtering software is not used at the present time. Patrons' use of workstations is subject to the library's overall standards of acceptable use.

Security Issues
Patrons are not required to present identification in order to use FDLP products. Log-in or sign-up sheets are not used at the present time. Patrons can use a guest username and password to gain access to the FDLP through the library's website.

Printing and Saving
Electronic government information can be printed in the library, currently at no cost. The library also makes available blank diskettes for 75 cents apiece to encourage saving to disk. Bluffton University users are able to save information to designated locations on the campus network for later viewing or printing.

Policy Concerning Depository Library Program Internet Use

The purpose of this document is to clarify Musselman Library's policies concerning access to online government information available through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). This policy complements our Government Documents Access Policy and our Policy Concerning Depository Library Public Service Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Formats.

General Access
Musselman Library seeks to offer free access to online government information offered through the FDLP. This service is available to Bluffton University students, staff and faculty, as well as to members of the general public. To this end, Musselman Library offers access to the FDLP Electronic Collection. Access is free and unrestricted by factors such as age or residency status. At this time, neither time limits nor sign-up sheets are in use. Filtering software is not used at the present time. Patrons' use of workstations is subject to the library's overall standards of acceptable use.

Security Issues
Patrons are not required to present identification in order to use FDLP products. Log-in or sign-up sheets are not used at the present time. Patrons can use a guest username and password to gain access to the FDLP through the library's website.

Printing and Saving
Electronic government information can be printed in the library, currently at no cost. The library also makes available blank diskettes for 75 cents apiece to encourage saving to disk. Bluffton University users are able to save information to designated locations on the campus network for later viewing or printing.

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Interlibrary Loan Policies

Visit our Interlibrary Loan policy page.

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Video Collection Policy for Library Patrons

Musselman Library houses a collection of videos for use by Bluffton University faculty, staff, and students.

Loan Rules:
Bluffton University faculty; staff; undergraduate, graduate, and BCOMP students:

• 7 day loan
• 1 renewal (one additional 7 day loan)
• 3 day grace period
• $.25 fine/day
• Subject to recall after 3 days for use in class or on course reserve
• May reserve for use in class/campus activity

Reservation of videos

Videos may be reserved in advance for viewing during classes or campus activities. The availability of videos cannot be guaranteed; reservations for use should be made a minimum of 7 days in advance.

For reservations, please call x3271, visit the circulation desk, or e-mail Karyl Crawford at crawfordk@bluffton.edu. Be prepared to give the video's title, your name, the class or campus activity for which the video will be used, and the date and time the video will be needed.

Videos may be placed on course reserve as appropriate.

Rental of videos
The library does not facilitate video rentals.

Request for purchase of videos to add to the collection
To order new videos for the library collection, use the same electronic form used for books. Only faculty members with departmental permission may place orders.

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