Library Policies

The following principles establish priorities: 

1. University Mission Statement
2. LSUA Library Services Mission Statement
3. Comparisons with peer institutions and contemporary literature in library and information science
4. Review of literature, information from conferences, and listserv archives to determine best practices
5. Annual surveys
6. Feedback from students and faculty
7. Directives of the Chancellor and/or Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
8. Mandates of accreditation bodies

The Director of Library Services develops goals and objectives with the library faculty and/or staff. Goals and objectives are assessed annually. The Director, with advice from library faculty and/or feedback from faculty, students, or administrators, initiates changes in priorities and establishes policies and procedures to implement them.

• lAn OaKard or government-issued ID is required to check out materials
• Proxy checkouts for faculty and staff are allowed. Prior to the first checkout the faculty member must email the library specifying who will be allowed to check out materials with the faculty’s ID card
• Materials for faculty and staff are checked out for a semester and are due the same day final grades are due
• 30-day circulation period for LSUA students and guest borrowers
• 15-book limit for LSUA students, staff, faculty, and LOUIS borrowers
• 3-book limit for guest borrowers
• All circulating items are due the same day that final grades are due
• Circulating books may be renewed unless placed on hold or overdue.
• One online renewal is allowed on or before the due date. Three in-person renewals are allowed on or before the due date. When renewing in person users must bring the materials to the library
• A hold may be placed on any book already checked out
• If faculty recall a book to place it on reserve, it will be due immediately
• The library does not charge late fees. Lost or damaged items will incur a replacement fee. All materials must be returned by graduating students and by faculty and staff who are retiring or resigning.
• The following materials do not circulate: archives and special collections, rare books, bound journals, reference books, and microfilm
• Reference materials, bound journals, and microfilm do not circulate.
• Materials identified by the library to be of local interest do not circulate
• Faculty and staff are required to return or renew materials at the end of each semester
• Current faculty and staff may renew materials once online. After the first (online) renewal, materials must be renewed in person
• Guest borrowers may not renew items
• Reserve materials are checkout out for specific time periods. In library use only items must remain in the building and be returned within two hours. Overnight use items are due the next day the library is open.

LSUA students, faculty, and staff must present a current OaKard to check out materials. Non-LSUA borrowers must present a valid government-issued photo-ID, current address, place of employment, email address, as well as home and work telephone numbers. Persons who abuse library privileges will lose library privileges. Local residents may find that their library needs are met better by using a local public library.

• Local residents over the age of 17 living in the parishes contiguous to Rapides Parish: Allen, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Grant, Natchitoches, and Vernon may borrow materials. Privileges are granted for a maximum of two years and may be renewed.
• LSUA faculty/staff dependents may borrow materials. Parents/guardians are responsible for their dependent children.
• LOUIS borrowers must present a LOUIS card, their institutional ID, and a valid government-issued photo-ID to borrow materials. The expiration date on the LOUIS card will be the expiration date of their LSUA privileges; however, in no case will privileges extend beyond 1 year from date of issue.
• Northwestern State University and Louisiana College students and faculty must present a current NSU or LC photo-ID to borrow materials.

Overdue Notices are sent to borrowers with overdue items. When an item is overdue, a 
notation is made in the borrower’s record. A student must return overdue library materials or pay fees as listed below. Users are blocked from further borrowing until the materials are returned or fees have been paid. 

Lost / Damaged Materials are paid for by the borrower who checked them out. LSUA library materials belong to the State of Louisiana. Lost / destroyed book charges include the cost of replacement as recorded in the current edition of The Bowker Annual (minimum $54), and a service charge of $25 for each lost, destroyed, or mutilated book. Library materials lost through theft, accident, or calamity require restitution. Homeowner’s, automobile, and renter’s insurance often cover such losses. To maintain library privileges before payment, a police report or insurance claim is required. 

• The library lends books from the circulating collection.
• Non-circulating and non-book materials are usually not loaned; exceptions may be made depending on current needs of LSUA faculty and students for the materials requested.
• The loan period for items loaned from LSUA is 1 month.
• No costs are charged to libraries that have reciprocal agreements with LSUA. This includes most academic libraries in Louisiana.
• Libraries that have no reciprocal agreement and that charge for their loans will be contacted to determine if they wish to reciprocate in not charging costs.
• Non-reciprocating libraries will be charged a minimum of $20 per transaction, plus postage and photocopying charges. 

Desktop computers are for the use of LSUA students, faculty, and staff.

1. Campus visitors may use the computers if LSUA users are not waiting.
2. All users are bound by the  LSUA Acceptable Use Policy.
3. The computers are for individual use, not for class instruction sessions.
4. Library Services does not assist in document preparation or other  production/presentation formats. Assistance is available in the Writing Center.
5. Files can be saved to a LSUA network drive or a user-provided external storage device. No user-created files are permanently stored on the computers, and the library is not responsible for lost files.

Laptop computers with wireless access to the campus network are available for LSUA students to use on campus for 1 week.

1. Non-LSUA users may not check out laptops.
2. First time users must complete a Laptop Loan Agreement.
3. Borrowers are responsible for laptops and should not leave them unattended or give them to others to use.
4. Laptops and power cords are to be returned to a library staff member, not left on the desk or in the book return slot, for inspection in the presence of the borrower.
5. If damage or abuse is detected upon return, the borrower is liable for repair costs (as determined by the IET Department) up to the replacement cost of the computer.

Library faculty provides instruction in use of the library resources and other available 
information resources as well as strategic approaches to research. Instruction is provided as group sessions on general library topics or course-related assignments as well as point-of-use instruction to individuals. Instructors should schedule group instruction with the Coordinator of Reference Services and allow sufficient time for preparation. Instructors need to be present for group instruction to answer course-related questions, give individual assistance to students, reinforce that the session is integral to the course, and to keep abreast of what their students are learning.

Online students have access to all online library resources as well as reference assistance and interlibrary loan services. Online students may request reference assistance via phone or email. Online users may also request physical materials, and these can be mailed to the student. The online user is responsible for return mail costs. Online users also have access to Interlibrary Loan services. Electronic resources are provided through Interlibrary Loan for online students. However, for physical materials, the library staff provides the students with information for using local interlibrary loan services through their local public library to save time and shipping costs.

Collection Development Policy  

 

Objectives of Collection Development

• To meet the information needs at LSUA through the acquisition and maintenance of resources
• To provide information in formats that includes print monographs, serials, audiovisual materials, and online materials with priority assigned to online materials
• To continuously improve the collection 

Responsibility for Collection Development

Library faculty, library staff, and teaching faculty are jointly responsible for collection development.  The Director of Library Services, with the help of the Assistant to the Library Director, manages the expenditure of funds, ensures adherence to the collection development policy, and supervises an orderly procurement system. 

While teaching faculty should inform their department’s subject bibliographer of appropriate library acquisitions, the library faculty and staff have a duty to anticipate and provide resources with potential for long-lasting use and with relevance to disciplines taught at LSUA.  Student and staff requests are also welcome and reviewed by the same criteria as faculty requests.  

Fund Allocations for Materials

After the LSUA library materials budget is finalized for the fiscal year, the Director of Library Services encumbers sufficient money for general materials, reference materials, annual subscriptions, renewals, and binding.  Remaining funds are divided by the Director, with these factors affecting the formula: 

• The base budget for each discipline is based on a formula dividing the number of Student Credit Hours (SCHs) in all courses in a particular discipline with the total number of SCHs produced in the previous academic year.(For example, if 1000 SCHs were in History courses in a given academic year and the total number of SCHs produced at LSUA in that academic year was 10,000, then 10% of the base allotment would be used to buy materials in History.)
• The budget may be adjusted to reflect the fact that some disciplines (e.g. math) do not publish many titles suitable for undergraduates and the average cost of a new title varies by subject.  Average costs are reported in The Bowker Annual.

Selection Procedure

In early fall, the Director informs each department’s chair and subject bibliographer of the department’s allocation/s and asks department chairs and subject bibliographers to submit titles for their discipline/s by a specified deadline.  In early spring, the Director informs each department’s chair and subject bibliographer of the department’s balance/s and reiterates the deadline to submit requests.   

Subject bibliographers maintain regular contact with their respective department chair/s or delegate/s by 1) forwarding relevant information from publisher publications and review sources such as Choice, and 2) answering questions related to the collection and the collection development process.  

Criteria for Selection of Materials

Priority is assigned to

• materials relevant to undergraduate disciplines taught at LSUA,
• materials that support new curricula or courses,
• interdisciplinary materials of general academic interest,
• materials relevant to the history of LSUA and Central Louisiana,
• general reading materials of interest to undergraduate students,
• materials in the English language unless they are 1) needed for non-English language or literature instruction, or 2) recognized classics that are not available in translation.
• current materials,
• materials recommended by standard sources of reviews, and
• materials frequently requested through interlibrary loan.

Additional criteria:

• reputation of author, issuing body, or publisher;
• special features including indexing, bibliographies, footnotes, or graphics;
• strength of current library holdings in the discipline;
• strength of current library holdings by same author or issuing body;
• demand (as indicated by circulation statistics, interlibrary loan statistics, or reference transactions);
• cost; and 
• recommendation by standard source of reviews

Low priority is assigned to out-of-print materials and individual research materials that are unlikely to be of use to other current or future users. 

Preference of format:

• Online materials that are easily accessible on-campus and off-campus are preferred over print materials.
• Hardbound materials are preferred over paperback materials if 1) the difference in price is minimal, 2) the title will be frequently used, or 3) the title will be of lasting value. 

The library materials budget is not used to buy

• materials for laboratories, departmental collections, curriculum collections, etc.; 
• materials to be housed outside the library;
• microforms;
• duplicate copies;
• flat maps;
• fiction that is not likely to be of long-term interest;
• theses or dissertations;
• computer software;
• VHS tapes;
• slides; or
• textbooks.

Additional Criteria for Selection of Journals and Databases

The library may subscribe to a print journal that supports the curriculum at the request of a faculty member or librarian if 1) money is available, 2) it is likely that current issues of the journal will be browsed, and 3) the journal is not available online. 

The library may subscribe to an online journal or database that supports the curriculum at the request of a faculty member or librarian if money is available and the subscription fills a gap in current resources.  

Weeding

• Library staff may weed duplicates that have a low history of circulation, beginning with items that are most worn and have the least useful life remaining. 
• Librarians may also weed materials that are no longer useful. 
• Worn or damaged library materials are repaired, rebound, discarded, or replaced.  If the title is not in print, another title with similar or better information may be purchased. 
• Withdrawn materials are de-accessioned by covering LSUA ownership marks and 
  suppressing reference to the item in the catalog and WorldCat.  Withdrawn books may be donated to another library, sold at a public book sale, or discarded.
• The Reference Librarian weeds materials no longer needed in the reference collection.
• The Library Director collaborates with the Nursing Department’s Learning Resources Committee each spring to review the nursing collection.  At that time, out-of-date nursing resources are removed from the collection.
• Materials related to each academic department except Nursing are reviewed for weeding every seven years on a rotating basis.       

Reference Collection

The Reference Librarian annually reviews the reference collection and reads reviews to remain familiar with new reference titles relevant to the needs of LSUA students and faculty.  The   Reference Librarian notes yearbooks/serials to be updated and recommends new reference titles for purchase.

Conservation, Preservation, and Restoration

Damaged materials are repaired, rebound, replaced, or discarded as demand indicates and funds permit.  Lost materials are replaced as demand indicates and funds permit.     

Current journals are displayed from 6 months to 3 years.  At the end of this time period, journals of transient value are discarded.   

Journals with enduring value and relevance to the curriculum are stored in Technical Processing.  These journals are bound if they are not available online.  Embargoed journals are stored until available online.  

Gifts and Donations

The library may refuse any gift that does not contribute to the mission of the library.  Gifts of library materials are accepted if they meet selection criteria and if the donor places no restrictions upon their acceptance.  The library may discard, sell, or donate gift materials that cannot be added to the collection.  The library does not make appraisals for tax or other fiduciary purposes; the donor is responsible for such appraisals.  If requested, the Director will document the number and format/s of the accepted materials.         

Rare Books

1.    All materials in the following categories are processed for the Rare Books Room. (This includes some types of publications to be safeguarded although not strictly “rare.”)

A.    Publications published before and including 1860.

B.    U. S. Publications published before and including the dates listed below by state: 

C.  At least 1 copy (preferably 2) of University Publications.

2.   Materials such as the following should be considered for the Rare Books collection:

A.    Autographed books of exceptional interest.

B.    Unusual limited editions.

C.    Extraordinary first editions.

D.    Portfolios containing original etchings, expensive plates, etc.

F.    Local history and Louisiana publications. (Normally a copy will be placed in the circulating stacks, unless other considerations in this policy dictate otherwise.)

G.    Scarce or expensive periodicals

H.    Works justifying special attention on account of physical makeup:  sumptuous binding; fine typography or illustrations; fore-edge painting; elaborate decorations; size or shape not adaptable to ordinary shelving; printing or vellum; silk, wood, or other unusual material.

 

Unit Mission Statement 
The mission of LSU Alexandria’s Archives and Special Collections is to document and preserve the history and activities of LSUA and Central Louisiana in order to make these records accessible to university administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni and researchers of all types with an interest in Central Louisiana. The unit collaborates with university faculty to facilitate undergraduate research and service learning. 

University Archives 
The University Archives includes the records, publications, and other primary historical documents of LSU Alexandria, including the records of current events as they happen on campus and as reported by outside media; the activities of faculty, staff, and students of LSUA; the conduct of business by administration, Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, faculty committees, staff committees, student organizations, student committees, student publications, and academic departments on the LSUA 
campus; and the academic and professional endeavors of faculty and students. (Specifically excluded from collection are the records of the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Board of Supervisors of the LSU System as well as other governing bodies which maintain their own archives.) Records will be routinely added to the University Archives as part of the Records Management process. 

Central Louisiana Collections 
Secondarily, primary sources that document the history of Central Louisiana (or Cenla, a geographic area centering on the cities of Alexandria/Pineville in Rapides Parish and including adjacent parishes) will be solicited, accepted, collected, processed, preserved and made accessible. Primary sources include manuscripts, other original paper records, scrapbooks, newspapers, and photographs of local businesses, persons and families both prominent and ordinary, plantation papers, or organizations. Oral histories will occasionally be collected, transcribed, preserved, and made accessible. Ordinarily 
published books, artifacts, and other realia will not be collected unless they are important to understand the manuscript and photographic record; published books will always be cataloged, and normally be added to the circulating collection or the Rare Books collection according to those policies. 

University Archives Acquisition Policies 
The University Archives includes all records designated by the records management process as permanent. These records include any document or record generated by an office on campus. Additionally, the University Archives may accept the scholarly, professional, and personal papers of administrators and faculty members, as well as any document or publication generated by a student group or organization affiliated with LSUA.

Central Louisiana Collections Acquisition Policies 
In accordance with the Mission Statement, Archives and Special Collections will accept document and photograph collections of people, organizations, and businesses associated with the history of Central Louisiana. 

Archives and Special Collections accepts collections or parts of collections that meet the guidelines for collection and documentation set forth in the Mission Statement. 
All materials donated to or acquired by the Archives become property of LSUA. Donors sign a legally binding document outlining all terms of donation. LSUA strongly discourages limitations placed by donors on donations. 

LSUA retains the right to accept particular collections or parts of collections, and to decline to accept them. The professional staff of Archives and Special Collections will direct donors to a more appropriate repository when the contents of a collection are better suited to another institution. 

• Study rooms may be reserved by current LSUA students, faculty, and staff
• Study rooms may only be reserved by groups of 2 or more
• Anyone already in the room must leave if the room has been reserved
• Users may be asked to present ID to confirm a reservation
• Rooms may be reserved no more than one month in advance
• Reservations may be made either online, by phone, email, or in person
• Please maintain reasonable noise levels
• Rooms not occupied within 15 minutes after the reservation will be forfeited
• The library is not responsible for unattended, lost, stolen, or damaged personal items
• Rooms may be reserved up to 15 minutes of closing time

ITEMS THAT MAY BE PLACED ON RESERVE

• Any circulating materials owned by the library
• Faculty’s personal copies of books
• Journal articles owned by the library
• Course syllabi or course notes

ITEMS THAT MAY NOT BE PLACED ON RESERVE

• Book chapters
• Materials obtained through interlibrary loan
• Non-circulating items

POLICIES

The library will only place materials on (course) reserve that comply with copyright law and its own internal policies

Faculty are required to fill out an electronic reserve request form in which they must supply their email address and the item’s bibliographic information. They must also indicate when the item is to be removed from the (course) reserve shelf. 

Upon submitting the form, please allow at least one week for the material to be processed and placed on the (course) reserve shelf.

Items that are checked out will be recalled by the circulation department, not the faculty member

Unless requested by the faculty member, all items will be removed the (course) reserve shelf at the end of each semester.

All personal materials and copies will be sent back to the faculty’s office through campus mail or will be made available for pick-up.

The James C. Bolton Library is available to any and all persons without discrimination or regard to gender identity, disabilities, race, creed, or religion. The library seeks to provide an environment that facilitates research and learning. As such, conduct guidelines and policies exist to ensure access to facilities and materials, the safety and comfort of users, and the protection of collections and materials. Library staff have the right to refuse service to any patron determined to be in violation of these conduct guidelines.

To report a complaint or problem contact a library staff member at the service desk. Staff will take action when a library user causes disruption. A disruption is anything (active or passive) that interferes with student ability to study or staff ability to work. The library expects library users to comply and honor all conduct guidelines immediately and civilly.

Library users who fail to comply with conduct guidelines or University policies, to identify themselves or to leave the building when requested will be reported to Campus Police. Misconduct may result in limited or revoked library privileges for a specified period, and/or a Student Conduct and Discipline Hearing.

COMPUTER USE

The library provides computers for uses that support education and learning at LSUA and priority use is for LSUA students, faculty, and staff. Non-LSUA patrons must request limited access at a service desk. Using computers for business or commercial purposes is prohibited. Priority access is given to library users who require computers with special equipment (e.g., scanners, microfilm readers, etc.) or software. All users are expected to follow LSUA’s policy on computing resources and priorities for use.  (PS 237)

COPYRIGHT

Any use that violates copyrights, patent protections, or license agreements is prohibited. Specific examples of violations include unauthorized copying, downloading and using software, systematically downloading or printing entire journal issues or volumes or large portions of electronic resources. (PS 216)

CHILDREN

Library users may not leave children unattended in the libraries. Children under the age of 14 must remain under the continuous supervision of the adult responsible for them and must not detract from the educational environment. If disruptive, staff will ask that children be removed from the building.

DISORDERLY BEHAVIOR

Acting in a way that interferes with, disrupts or obstructs the activities of library users, the respectful research and learning environment or staff performance of their duties is prohibited. Disorderly behavior includes, but is not limited to:

• Harassment toward library patrons or staff.
• Disturbing other library users by loud and unreasonable noise.
• Physical, verbal, written, or image-based abuse, using profanity, vulgarity or offensive words to provoke a reaction, harassment, threats of violence, or intimidation.
• Refusal to identify oneself when requested or failure to comply with the directions of staff acting in the performance of their duties.
• Participating in a challenge, fight, or assault.
• Stalking behavior or following others in the library building for no legitimate purpose.
• Obstructing or failure to comply with directions of staff acting in the performance of their duties or requiring inordinate drains on staff time, resources and supervision.
• Repeated requests for special consideration or engaging library users or staff in conversation which makes them uncomfortable, after being informed of that fact.
• Destroying or damaging university property, including library materials.
• Theft of property or of services.

(PS 213) (PS 214) (PS 228) (PS 279) (PM 73)

FILMING, RECORDING OR PHOTOGRAPHING

Making a video recording, audio recording, taking photographs, or streaming audio/video of any person in a location where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without that person’s knowledge and express consent is prohibited.

FOOD AND DRINK

Food and drink are allowed in the library. Please place trash in waste cans located throughout the library, and please discard uneaten food and drink in waste containers located outside the library around campus.

NOISE

The library seeks to provide a balance of collaborative and quiet spaces. Signage indicates the level of acceptable noise. Disturbing other library users by loud and unreasonable noise is prohibited and includes loud conversations, snoring or using audio devices in such a manner as to disturb others.

PREVENTION OF THEFT AND PROTECTION OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS

By entering the library, users are agreeing to pass through a security system. To prevent theft of library materials, library users may be asked to present personal belongings for inspection if the detection alarm is activated, or when there is a power failure. Books, laptops, book bags, backpacks, briefcases, or other personal belongings, left unattended are at risk of being stolen. The library is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property. If library users leave the library, they must take all belongings with them. Library staff retains the right to place unattended belongings in the library “Lost and Found”, located at the Service Desk.

SMOKING/ ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES/ ILLEGAL DRUGS

The LSUA campus is a smoke-free and a drug and alcohol-free environment. This applies to smoking products of any sort including electronic or vapor smoking devices and the possession and/or use of alcohol or drugs of any kind while in the building. Unlawful possession, use, sale, offering to sell, or being under the influence of, any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, intoxicant, poison or unlawful possession of, or the sale of any drug paraphernalia are prohibited. (PS 227) (PS 272)

WIRELESS ACCESS

Access to LSUA’s wireless internet connection is restricted to LSUA staff, faculty, and currently enrolled students. Library patrons are required to follow LSUA IET policy on network usage and standards.

(LSUA IET Services and Policies)