Operational Guidelines

Loan Periods

All library users are responsible for returning all items borrowed from the library on time and in good condition. The due date will either be communicated orally or when possible, a date stamp will be used. Students are typically allowed to renew books up to 2 times, however, if the book is recalled the student must return the book on its original due date. Materials must be returned to the library the materials were borrowed from. For instance, if a student borrows a book from ACB, the student must return it to ACB. Patrons must return materials before the end of the loan period. Failure to do so can lead to fines.

Loan policies for items are as follows:

A.C. LIBRARY POLICY FOR “3 HOUR LOAN/Course Reserve” TEXTBOOKS:

Alexander College Library has a collection of the textbooks used in all the courses offered at AC. These textbooks are on designated shelves at both libraries. They are available to all AC students free of charge. Open Educational Resources (OER), including textbooks, will not be printed and bound for student access to comply with the College’s sustainability initiatives.

FOR ALL LIBRARY MATERIAL LOANS:

1. A valid Alexander College student ID must be presented in order to borrow any library materials.
2. Course reserves must be returned within 3 HOURS.
3. A textbook must stay in the library for at least 15 minutes before the borrower can take out the book again. 

CLOSE TO CLOSING POLICY:

1. If an item is borrowed 30 minutes before the library closes, the item is still due at the scheduled closing time.
2. Materials cannot be taken home for the night. Taking home course reserves is not permitted and will result in fines.
3. Students will not be permitted to borrow hourly items (such as textbooks, audio visual equipment, laptops, or phone chargers) as of 1 hour before closing.
4. Failure to return an item on time will result in a $2/hr fine with a max of $20 per item.

A.C. LIBRARY POLICY FOR “7 DAY LOAN/Previous Edition” TEXTBOOKS:

Alexander College Library has a collection of previous edition course textbooks on designated shelves at both libraries. They are available to all AC students free of charge.

1. A valid Alexander College student ID must be presented in order to borrow any library materials.
2. Previous edition textbooks must be returned in 7 CALENDAR DAYS. The weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, are included in the 7-day period.
3. To allow maximum accessibility for our library materials, we will not be renewing “7 Day Loan” textbooks. The text must stay in the library for at least 24 hours before the borrower can take out the book again.
4. Failure to return an item on time will result in a $2/day fine with a maximum of $20 per item.

The purpose of Alexander College’s loan policies is to ensure maximum accessibility and sharing of library collections by all who need them.

Holds & Recalls

AC Library users can place holds on items that are not currently on the shelves. To do this, library users will need to go to the catalogue and search for the item and select “place hold”. To complete the request, users will need to sign into their library account which is their student number and birthdate (in YYYY/MM/DD format). When a user places a hold on an item that is already checked out by another user it is called a ‘recall’. Items that have been recalled cannot be renewed as someone else is waiting for the item.

Renewals

A renewal is when a library user has an item out on their account but would like to have the item past its original due date. Renewals are permitted when there is no one else (on hold) for the item(s). Students can renew their items in person, by email (library@alexandercollege.ca), or by phone (604-435-5815).

Late Items

All library items must be returned to the library by their corresponding due date. Any items that are late will result in suspension of borrowing privileges until all late items are returned to the library. Unreturned overdue items may also result in other College services and privileges being revoked, based on administrative discretion. Students who have any monetary fines on their account must settle the balance before graduation (will not be able to order graduation documents or alumni card). All items must be returned to a library staff member directly.

Computer Use

Please be advised that by using AC Library computers and laptops, you are agreeing to adhere to the following AC library computer policies:

• Files stored on library computers can be accessed by other students and will be erased when computers restart.
• The library is not responsible for any unsaved work; it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have backed up their work (either through e-mail or a USB).
• Students must not violate the privacy of others.
• Students accessing any inappropriate material will immediately be asked to leave the library and be reported to a Librarian to have their computer privileges revoked.

Access to the computing system will be given to students according to academic or operational need and may be revoked at the discretion of College administration. It is expected that users will not engage in activities harmful to the computing system, such as:

• Creating or propagating viruses
• Disrupting services
• Damaging files
• Illegally downloading material
• or intentionally damaging equipment, software, or data belonging to the College

Violations of AC’s Computer Use policy may result in disciplinary actions including, but not limited to:

1. suspending the user from access to the computing system
2. suspending or expelling students
3. and/or applying other College disciplinary procedure

AC Laptop Borrowing Policy

• 4-hour loan period
• Students cannot place a hold or renew laptops
• Students must be currently enrolled to borrow
• To borrow, students must have a valid Student ID card
• Students must fill out a form before borrowing, indicating they have read and understood laptop lending policies
• Laptops are available on a first-come, first-served basis
• Laptops can be borrowed up to 1 hour before closing, but no later
• All files will be deleted when laptop is returned
• Students can only borrow 1 laptop on their account at a time
• Borrowers should report any difficulty with equipment to the library immediately
• Overdue laptops fees will be charged to students, regardless of if it is a first-time fine
• If a laptop is damaged, lost, or stolen the student can be charged the full cost of laptop as well as any overdue fees
• Laptops carry a $20 hourly fine, with a max of $100
• Laptop charger fees will be $2/hr with a max of $20
• Laptops must be returned to a staff member at the library desk

APPEALS WILL BE DENIED, IF THE PATRON EXPRESSES THE FOLLOWING:

1. Ignorance of Library policies or regulations listed on the Library website. 
2. Forgetting a due date or time
3. Not receiving an overdue notice
4. Having a friend fail to return something on your behalf
5. Not returning item because you were away from campus
6. Library closure

A FINE MAY BE APPEALED/ WAIVED, IF:

1. Item was returned less than 5 minutes after the due date, as a 5-minute curtesy rule
2. Item was returned late due to a line-up
3. Item was not properly checked-in due to staff error
4. The student has never received a fine before, in which case the fine will be waived accordingly to our First-Time Fee Waive policy (DOES NOT APPLY TO LAPTOPS AND LAPTOP CHARGERS)

Study Rooms

At the Burnaby Campus as well as the Vancouver Campus, there are multiple study rooms available to students. To use the spaces, students must first book the rooms online for an available time. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Important things to note:

• Only 4 students per room at one time
• Students can only book rooms for 1-hour blocks, for a maximum of 2-hours per day
• Food is NOT allowed; however, covered drinks such as a water bottle, thermos and or closed coffee cup are allowed
• Doors must remain unlocked
• Sleeping in the study rooms is not permitted
• If you are 10 minutes late for your booked slot, that time may be given to another student

We kindly ask that you clean up all garbage and make sure not to leave any personal belongings behind!

Faculty/Staff Meeting Room Bookings

The new Burnaby Campus Library has 2 rooms with priority booking for AC Faculty and Staff for meetings and office hours.

• Rooms must be booked in advanced and may be cancelled or rescheduled for accommodations purposes.
• Bookings are for a maximum of 2hrs per slot and available times are shown on the calendar.

One-on-one Research Appointments

Library research appointments are for research help ONLY (locating articles, using keywords, searching databases, etc.). Library staff will not provide editing, grammar, or citation help.

2 “no-shows” will result in the student account being suspended for 1 week.

Staff and Faculty ID Card Policy

Staff and faculty can obtain their college photo IDs from the Library. Staff and faculty will be required to supply their college fob key card for the card to be printed. College fobs are provided by Campus Facilities. Library staff may require some information from staff or faculty in order to verify identity (e.g., department name, position title). Staff cards are required for staff to borrow Library materials.

Course Reserves

All Alexander College Instructors can place materials on Reserve in the library. To submit a course reserve request, please email library@alexandercollege.ca with the title of the item, course number and section, as well as length of the loan. Items may be placed on 3-hr, 3-day, or 7-day loan. Please note that course reserves are first come first serve basis.

Film Reserves

If you are planning on showing a film in your class from the library, please send us an email with the title of the film and date you wish to show it so we can try to put it aside for you. Please note film reserves are first come first serve.

Item Requests & Course Budgets

The library welcomes recommendations for additional resources for the library collection to support courses offered at Alexander College, if needed. Each faculty member has a budget per course taught for supplementary materials. For further information please contact library@alexandercollege.ca.