SGC library announces community use procedures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgc.edu

The William S. Smith Library, located on the campus of South Georgia College, has released its new guidelines for use by community members. These guidelines go into effect on Jan. 6, 2009.

Individuals who are not students or member of the SGC faculty and staff are welcome to use the resources available in the library provided the following guidelines are followed:

Community users may check out circulating materials with a valid SGC Community Library Card in good standing. Materials checked out on cards belonging to adult users 18 and older become the responsibility of the cardholder. With a completed “Consent for Minor to Use Library” form signed by a parent or legal guardian, minors ages 7 through 17 may also check out materials according to the stated policies. The parent or legal guardian who signed the consent form is responsible for materials checked out on cards belonging to users under age 18.
A $5 per year SGC Community Library Card may be purchased at the Circulation Desk by showing a high school ID or other valid picture ID that includes date of birth. Cards are valid for one year from date of purchase.
Library books circulate for a loan period of 2 weeks, with a maximum of 5 titles checked out during a two-week loan period. While the Library does not charge overdue fines, failure to return items by the respective due dates will revoke circulation privileges. Lost or damaged materials will incur a fee that equals the cost of replacing the resource(s) plus a $35 processing fee for each lost or damaged resource, payable prior to the reinstatement of circulation privileges.
An item may be renewed once unless the item has a hold placed on it.

Computer use is available through the Community Patron computers on the main floor of the library near the Circulation Desk and Periodical Section, once again provided users follow SGC guidelines. Here are a few general rules:

Parent or guardian complete and sign a “Consent for Minor to Use Library” form for minors who are ages 7 through 17.
Children under the age of 7 cannot use or occupy a library computer or be unattended by an adult in the library. Children ages 7-15 or who are not yet in the 10th grade must be supervised by an adult during computer use.
Present a valid picture ID with date of birth to circulation staff. A high school ID is acceptable for users in 10th through 12th grades.
Sign-in and out for each computer-use session.
Save all personal research and word processing to a floppy disk (a:) or jump drive. Do not save on the computer’s hard drive (c:).
Do not place food and/or drink containers (closed or otherwise) near the computer terminals/tables/units.

Computer usage is permitted for one hour sessions on the general public workstations, but high or low usage may permit adjustment to the length of sessions. Those using workstations for recreational purposes (such as Internet surfing, personal e-mail) may be asked to give up their computer if others, who have an educational need, are waiting.
The William S. Smith has a variety of valuable resources that the SGC community believes should be made available to the community. At the same time, the library and college must respect the primary purpose of the facility, which is academic use by students and staff.
For a complete copy of the library use guidelines, stop by the Circulation Desk at the library from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or 8 a.m. to noon on Friday. A copy of the guidelines is also available at http://www.sgc.edu/library/publicusepolicy.html.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.