Library Policies
The WSU Vancouver Library exists primarily to serve the educational and instructional needs of students, faculty and staff of the University. The following policies apply.
The WSU Vancouver Library is intended to be a place of quiet study and research; please be considerate of those studying around you. Patrons and staff are expected to keep any conversation very low and quiet. A certain amount of noise should be expected at all public service desks where library staff members are assisting patrons. However, in other areas, both staff and patrons are expected to minimize their noise so as not to disturb people who are studying nearby. Radios, CD players and similar devices should not be used without personal earphones, and the volume should be set so as not to be disruptive of other library patrons.
Cell phones, pagers and similar devices should be set to silent or vibrate. Cell phone conversations should take place outside of the Library.
Group study rooms are available on both a first come, first serve basis and by reservation. Priority is given to groups of three or more people. Individuals and groups of two will be asked to move to accommodate larger groups.
The Library supports principles of intellectual freedom. Priority is given to accessing library databases and supporting research and coursework. WSU reserves the right to require any library patron to discontinue using WSU’s computers in a matter that violates WSU policies or applicable laws. Additionally, since the Library’s core mission is to serve WSU Vancouver students and faculty, community members may be asked to give up computers so that students and faculty can be served first.
Food and beverages are allowed in the Library. All who use the Library are expected to be responsible and courteous to others by disposing of trash and recyclables and by cleaning up any messes.
Tobacco products and alcohol are not allowed in the Library.
Other activities which interfere with efforts to make the WSU Vancouver Library a safe and quiet place for study, reading, and research are prohibited. Those who violate these library regulations will be subject to appropriate University disciplinary action.
Community members are welcome to use the WSU Vancouver Library. The Library is very happy to be of help to members of our greater Southwest Washington community.
The Library’s Reference Services are instructional in nature. Patrons are taught to use the Library’s resources; but research is done by our patrons. Community members may use research databases in the Library and may check out books from all of the WSU Libraries. To apply for a Community Users Card either: 1) visit the Library in person to complete an application or 2) complete and print the Community Users Card Application before visiting the Library. Identification is necessary to verify your current mailing address. Community User privileges do not include delivery of bound journal volumes, copies of journal articles, or interlibrary loan services from Pullman or other libraries.
Since the core mission of the Library is to serve WSU Vancouver students and faculty, community members may sometimes be asked to wait for services or to give up computers so that students and faculty can be served first. All patrons are expected to observe the Library’s Quiet Policy.
People aged seventeen and younger need a Youth Card in order to use the Library’s computers. Youth Card applications are available from the Reference Desk or an online application can be printed out and returned to the library. Parents must sign the application for a Youth Card.
All of the WSU Libraries charge fines for overdue books, and for books not returned when recalled. Both overdue and recall notices are mailed to borrowers. The WSU Vancouver Library also charges for printing and photocopying. Print cards can be obtained at the Circulation Desk.
The Washington State University Libraries contracts with a variety of vendors and publishers to provide users with thousands of electronic resources (databases, abstracts, e-journals, full text, etc.) costing millions of dollars per year.
In addition to paying for these resources, the Libraries typically negotiate license agreements that stipulate how and by whom they may be used. If license terms are violated by anyone, licensors usually have the right to temporarily suspend access FOR THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY! In some cases, licenses can be permanently revoked.
You can help prevent problems with our electronic resource providers by adhering to “good practice” and avoiding improper use. Here are some good rules of thumb:
Do’s And Don’ts
Usually OK
- making limited print or electronic copies (such as single articles)
- using for personal, instructional or research needs
- sharing with WSU faculty, staff and students
- posting links to specific content
Usually NOT OK
- systematic or substantial printing, copying or downloading (such as entire journal issues or books)
- selling or re-distributing content, or providing it to an employer
- sharing with people other than WSU faculty, staff and students
- posting actual content or articles to web sites or listservs
- modifying, altering, or creating derivative works
Always acknowledge your source on any published or unpublished document when you use data found on electronic resources.
Grey Areas:
Some resources allow inclusion for electronic reserves, course packs, and multiple copies for classroom use and interlibrary lending. Others explicitly forbid one or more of these activities.