Library Guidelines and Procedures

Student Use of the Library

 

Return to the Contents of the Operational Guidelines and Procedures

 

BORROWER ELIGIBILITY

  • Individuals who are currently enrolled as credit students in Collin College are entitled to library privileges.
  • Students must present a current Collin College Student ID card at the library Circulation Desk to be entered into the library system.

 

BORROWER RESPONSIBILITIES

  • The student is responsible for returning materials on time and in good condition.
    • The student must pay overdue charges for materials not returned on time.
    • As a courtesy, the library will attempt to send overdue notices in a timely manner by contacting the patron through their Collin email address.
  • The student is responsible for reporting damaged or lost items at the Circulation Desk.
  • The student must pay the cost of the damaged or lost items, plus a processing fee.
    • The library cannot accept replacement materials purchased by individuals.
  • The student is responsible for notifying the Circulation Department of a lost or stolen library card.
  • The student is responsible for notifying the Circulation Department of a change in name, physical address, telephone number or alternate e-mail (optional).
  • Students are responsible for personal materials and equipment left unattended in the library.

 

CIRCULATION OF MATERIALS

 

Checkout Procedures

  • Students must present their Collin College Student ID/Library Card for all circulation transactions. A card belonging to someone other than the student using the card will not be accepted and may be reported to the Dean of Students.
  • Students with overdue items or outstanding fines and fees/charges are denied permission to check out materials. In addition, outstanding fines, fees or overdue materials prevent students from registering for classes and obtaining transcripts.
  • Periodicals and reference materials do not circulate and are to be used in the library.

Due dates exclude holidays and other days when Collin College campuses are closed. The library reserves the right to recall any materials.

 

 

Checkout Limits by Material Type Loan Period
Audio Books 5 3 weeks
Music CDs 5 3 weeks
Books 10 3 weeks
Software 3 3 weeks
Blu-ray/DVD 3 7 days
Total items checked out: 15



 

Reserve Materials
All Reserve Materials must be returned to its issuing library Circulation Desk.
Material Type Loan Period

Textbooks

2 hour in-library use only (unless otherwise stated)

TI Graphing Calculators

  • 4 hour (on campus use only)
  • 14 day (outside library)

 

  • 4 hour on-campus use
  • 14 day off-campus use

Laptops

  • 4 hour (in-library use only)
  • 14 day (outside library)
  • Semester (outside library)

 

  • 4 hour in-library use only
  • 14 day off-campus use
  • Current semester off-campus

Study Rooms

  • 2 hour @ All Libraries - Except Farmersville & Technical Campuses

Other Reserve Materials

2 hour in-library use only (unless otherwise stated)

 

 

Renewals 

 

Items may be renewed if the student has no outstanding fines, overdue materials or library account blocks. See details and restrictions below.

  • Two (2) renewals of Circulating Books, Circulating Software and Music CDs are allowed per item by phone, online or in person. 
  • The following materials cannot be renewed by phone or online: Reserves, Study Rooms, Classroom Software, Classroom Blu-ray/DVD, and Blu-ray/DVD.
  • Overdue materials may be renewed in person after the overdue fines are paid and if others have not placed a hold request on the item.Items must be presented for renewal and for fine payment if overdue.

 

Hold Requests/Transfers 

 

Circulating items, such as books and DVDs, may be placed on hold and transferred to another campus. These materials may be returned at any campus.

  • Items are held for 3 days at the requested campus library.
  • The patron is notified by a courtesy e-mail and/or text message.
  • The libraries do not have a materials booking system and cannot guarantee the availability of materials for dates in the future.
  • The following materials cannot be placed on hold or transferred to another campus, due to the high demand and/or a short checkout period
    • Classroom DVD and Blu-ray
    • Classroom Software
    • Music CDs
    • Course Reserves 
      • Study Rooms
      • Laptops
      • TI Graphing Calculators
      • Textbooks

 

LIBRARY FINES AND FEES

 

Overdue Charges

Fines accrue on an hourly or daily basis except for Collin College closures for holidays and events. All fines are handled through the Circulation Department. Any unresolved fines or unreturned items block borrowing privileges and may result in a hold on college records. If there is a dispute regarding the charges assessed, the student may submit a “Library Charges Appeal” form, which will be considered by the Library Executive Directors. Overdue charges for materials are listed below. Note that the fine amount is for each overdue item.

 

*The maximum overdue fine on Audio Books, Books, Music CDs, Blu-ray/DVD and Software (non-reserve materials) is $25 per item or the replacement cost of the item plus a $15 processing fee whichever is greater.

 

**The maximum overdue fine on reserve materials; including Calculators, Laptops, Equipment, Study Rooms, Textbooks, Reserve Blu-ray/DVD, Reserve CDs and other reserve items range from $50 - $100 per item or the replacement cost of the item (plus a $15 processing fee) whichever is greater. 

 

Fine Amounts for each item
Circulating Materials Loan Period Overdue Fine

Books

21 days $0.25/$25.00

Circulating DVD

 7 days
$0.50/$25.00

Classroom DVD

3 hours $1.00/$25.00
Games-Kits 7 days $0.50/$25.00
Makerspace Kits 7 days $20.00/$100.00

On-campus Equipment

4 hours $1.00/$100.00

Off-campus Equipment

14 days $10.00/$100.00

Textbooks/Course Reserves

2 hours $1.00/$100.00

Study Rooms

2 hours $5.00/$100.00 

Semester Equipment

End of Term $20.00/$100.00



Damaged Materials
A librarian will evaluate the damaged material for possible repair

  • When damaged materials are repairable, a repair fee of $15 is assessed.
  • If the material is damaged beyond repair, the student will be charged the replacement cost of the material and a $15 processing fee.
    • The Library cannot accept replacement materials purchased by individuals.
    • Items judged damaged beyond repair will be given to the student if the replacement and processing charges are paid at the time of return. If charges are not paid at the time of return, charges will be applied to the patron’s library account and the item will not be returned to the patron, but discarded.

If there is a dispute regarding the charges assessed, the student may submit a “Library Charges Appeal” form, which will be considered by the Library Executive Directors.

 

Lost Materials
When materials are lost, the student will be charged the replacement cost of the material and a $15 processing fee.

  • The Library cannot accept replacement materials purchased by individuals.
  • No refund is given after payment of a lost item is received, even if the patron later finds the item.

If there is a dispute regarding the charges assessed, the student may submit a “Library Charges Appeal” form, which will be considered by the Library Executive Directors.

 

 

ACCEPTED PAYMENT TYPES

 

The Library may accept cash or check payments (with proper identification) at the Circulation Desk.

  • A service charge will be added by the Bursar’s office on all returned checks.
  • Students can make credit/debit card payments at the Bursar’s office after making arrangements with the Library.

 

 The Library will not accept:

  • Two party checks
  • Temporary checks
  • Checks in the absence of a corresponding driver’s license.
    • The driver’s license number and license expiration date will be recorded on the check.
  • Out of state checks

 The student’s College-Wide Identification number (CWID) is required by the Bursar’s office on student checks.

 

 

LIBRARY COMPUTER LAB USE

 

Students have full access to Library computers during the semester in which they are enrolled. Library computers are accessed through the CougarWeb Logon ID and the last six-digits of their CWID number. Library computers automatically log off after 60 minutes, but students are eligible to log back on if no other students are waiting. When the computer logs a user off, it erases all work on the hard drive of the computer. All work should be saved to a USB thumb drive instead of the computer hard drive.

 

Students are given a print allowance of $30 (approximately 300 b/w sheets) per semester. The $30 print allowance is in the form of a debit account available through the Pharos Print Management system and can only be used for printing in the Computer Labs. After the $30 credit is used, purchase of a TRAC card is required. The TRAC card cost $0.50. Black and white prints are charged $0.10 per page and color prints are charged $0.25 per page.

  • No refund is given for the unexpended portion of a student’s print allowance.
  • Allowances do not carry over to subsequent semesters. Instead, enrolled students begin each semester with a $30 print allowance.

For further information see Computer and Internet Use.

 

 

COURSE RESERVE MATERIALS USE

 

Collin College Faculty may place course materials (books, documents, videos, etc.) on reserve, locally at each Library Circulation Desk for student use. Other library reserve materials and reserve equipment are owned by the library and placed on reserve for student use. They include but are not limited to laptops, calculators, cd players and study rooms*. All reserve materials are for in-library use unless otherwise stated.

 

Course Reserve material must be returned to their issuing library Circulation Desk. Overdue reserve materials accrue fines ranging from a $1 per hour per item to $20 per day per item. With up to a maximum fine that ranges from $50 - $100 or the cost of the material whichever is greater. (For further details, see Library Fines and Fees).

 

 

LIBRARY RESERVE EQUIPMENT USE (can only be returned to its issuing library)

 

Laptops
All laptops are designated for current Collin College student use only. Laptops can check out for 4 hours for in-library use only. Limited quantities may be available for 14-day overnight checkout.

  • Only one laptop may be checked out per library card.
    • Laptops can only be returned to their issuing library.
  • Overdue equipment may be reported to the Dean of Students and disciplinary action may follow.
  • An overdue fine of $1 per hour is charged for all 4-hour laptops.
  • An overdue fine of $10 per day is charged for all 14-day laptops.

 

Laptops returned late can total up to $100 in overdue charges or the cost of the item for replacement plus a $15 processing fee.

 

Calculators
All calculators are designated for current Collin College student use only. TI calculators can check out for 4 hours for on-campus use and 14-days for off-campus use.

  • Only one calculator may be checked out per library card.
    • Calculators can only be returned to their issuing library.
  • Overdue equipment may be reported to the Dean of Students and disciplinary action may follow.
  • An overdue fine of $1 per hour is charged for all 4-hour calculators.
  • An overdue fine of $10 per day is charged for all 5-day and 14-day calculators.

 

Calculators returned late can total up to $100 in overdue charges or the cost of the item for replacement plus a $15 processing fee.

 

(For further details, see Library Fines and Fees).

 

Study Rooms
Some campus libraries offer study rooms on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Study rooms are available for quiet academic study and/or work on collaborative academic projects. Collin College policies related to food, drink, cell phones, disruptive behavior and unattended children, as outlined in Section 6.17 of the Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct apply to all study rooms.

 

Study rooms are available for individuals and groups. Collin College students who are enrolled during the current semester may check out study rooms at the Circulation Desk at the Celina, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, and Wylie Campus Libraries with their student ID cards (overdue charges may apply). Renewals are permitted though limitations may be imposed during peak usage. Students must remain in the room during their checkout period. No food or open drink containers are allowed.

 

(For further details, see Library Fines and Fees).
See Study Rooms for separate Library location details.

 

 

INTERLIBRARY LOANS

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service is available to all currently enrolled Collin College students who have a Collin College library card and account that is in good standing.

 

Any material not owned by the library may be requested for Interlibrary Loan through a Reference Librarian or online. The supplying library determines whether the material can be provided.

Students may request one renewal on a borrowed ILL material.

  • Renewal requests for ILL materials must be made online, at the Circulation Desk or by phone at least 2 days before the material is due. The decision to renew rests with the lending library.
  • Obtaining interlibrary loan requests typically takes 7-14 days but may take longer.
    • Only 5 requests can be processed per day per student.
  • Requests for renewals will not be made for overdue materials.
  • The student is responsible for all charges imposed by the supplying library, including fines.
  • ILL material must be returned to the Circulation Desk on time and in good condition.

 

TEXSHARE CARDS

 

All currently enrolled Collin College students are eligible for the issuance of a TexShare card. This card allows students to borrow materials from participating libraries. Each lending library has rules and limitations regarding the use of the TexShare card.

  • The student borrower is responsible for all materials, fines and fees when using the TexShare card.
  • The TexShare card is issued for the current semester only.

 

SECURITY GATE

  • Patron must return to the Circulation or Reference Desk if the alarm sounds.
    • Patron will remain at the Circulation or Reference Desk until the cause of the alarm is determined and resolved.

 

 

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