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Library Policies

Here are the "Rules of the road" for the RSU Library staff and patrons.

Cell Phones and General conduct

While cell phones are welcome within the RSU library, please put your ringer on silent and move long conversations to a small, empty study room or the Library Lounge.

RSU Library patrons are welcome as long as the following guidelines are followed:

  • Abide by any and all local, state, or federal law.
  • Contribute to a quiet and studious environment.
  • Keep all feet on the floor.
  • Maintain appropriate attire and keep shoes on at all times.
  • While we adore all animals, pets and emotional support animals should be left home according to campus policy.  Service animals are welcome.
  • Leave all firearms and other weaponry at home, unless authorized by law to carry.
  • Please remember that alcohol and tobacco use in any form is prohibited by University policy anywhere on campus.
  • Respect the library's materials, and do not damage, hide, or remove without checking them out.  This includes removing pages, security strips, or barcodes, and marking in books, journals, etc.
  • Wheeled transportation should be secured to the bike rack outside the library or carried by hand when small enough (skateboards, roller skates, in-line skates, etc.)  Mobility assistant medical devices are allowed.
  • Remain aware of the library's hours and have your work wrapped up by closing time.

Anyone found to be in violation of the above guidelines will be asked to leave until the behavior is corrected.  RSU Police will be notified if necessary. Please abide by these guidelines and help us maintain a safe and productive research space for the RSU community.

Children

To maintain an environment conducive to study and learning, an adult must accompany children. Feel free to ask at the front desk for scrap paper and colored pencils to help keep children occupied, or ask about our selection of children's books!  The library staff member on duty may ask individuals to relocate to a closed room or to leave the library if behavior becomes too disruptive.

Community Borrowers and Alumni

Library patrons who are not RSU students, faculty or staff may obtain checkout privileges by making a one-time-only $20 contribution. For this contribution, the community member receives the privilege of borrowing books and audiovisual materials. No contribution is needed to peruse materials on the shelves, access WiFi as a guest, or use the public access computer. Patrons will need to show a photo ID in order to create an account. Community borrower membership is free of charge to RSU Alumni, Rogers & Mayes County librarians, and educators & administrators from State Board of Education accredited schools in Rogers & Mayes County.  If you are an Alumni, we ask that you bring your Alumni membership card with you.  Educators and librarians, please bring your school ID, badge, or proof of employment.

Checkout Limits for Community Borrowers and Alumni

Community Borrowers may have a total of 10 items charged out to them at any time, with no more than 5 being in any one format (5 print books, 5 CDs/Playaways or 5 DVDs/BluRays). Unfortunately, due to contract restrictions, we cannot provide access to our digital resources.

Additional Information

For more information on available materials, library hours and Community Borrower policy, please see the Community Borrower Flier.

Confidentiality

The university adheres to Oklahoma and Federal law with respect to the confidentiality of library records. The records of library materials borrowed or used cannot be disclosed to anyone except:

1. Persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library;

2. Persons authorized to inspect such records, in writing, by the individual or group whose records are sought;

3. As otherwise required by law. (OK Statute 65 1-105 and RSU Personnel Manual)

Copyright

U.S. Copyright Law

All libraries are subject to U. S. Copyright Law. The following code of copyright is present on this library's printed request forms and also on the online request forms that can be accessed from the library web-page:

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use" that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

Copyright Law Specifically for Journals (or other periodicals)

No more than 5 (five) articles from the same journal may be ordered within each year. This does not include those with dates that are older than 5 years (for example, in 2001, the law would apply to articles dated from 1997) and does not apply to articles from journals to which the RSU Library subscribes. The year for copyright observance is from January 1 - December 31.

Equipment Checkout

Faculty, administrators, and staff may check out our AV Sound System.  Laptop computers are no longer available.

This is handled only by full time library staff.  The individual pieces have barcodes, which should be scanned with the barcode reader.

AV equipment checks out for 1 day, normally, but can be checked out for up to 5 days. Periods longer than 5 days should be coordinated with the Library Director.

Due to changes in the university's network, the library is no longer able to fulfil fax requests.  Please visit the mail room at Pershing Hall for faxing needs.

Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996; amended January 29, 2019.